Doom: The Dark Ages Review – Performance and Gameplay
Doom: The Dark Ages is the latest and most anticipated addition to id Software’s famous first-person shooter series. The game is full of monsters and demons that fascinate every gamer throughout the journey of the medieval world. If you are a new gamer or one of the fans of the DOOM series, both will love DOOM: The Dark Ages. Doom: The Dark Ages delivers heart-pounding combat, lightning-fast action, and jaw-dropping visuals that push next-gen hardware to its limits.
Doom: The Dark Ages Review (PS5/Xbox Series X) – The Slayer Never Stops Ripping and Tearing
If you missed the hype, this latest installment serves as a prequel to the 2016 Doom reboot and Doom Eternal (2020). It was just released on May 15, 2025, hitting PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC with all guns blazing. You step into the boots of the legendary Slayer once again, but this time, you’re thrust into a brutal medieval world where demonic hordes threaten to wipe out humanity. Your mission? Rip and tear through everything in your path.
This new setting combines the Middle Ages with occult forces, arcane magic, and unexpected advanced technology. Its a striking departure from the series’ usual environments. Unlike the sterile Martian research facilities or Earth’s demon-plagued cities seen in earlier games, The Dark Ages transports players to a grim medieval world where ancient horrors clash with uncanny machinery. Beyond its fresh aesthetic, the game offers a fascinating look into the early history of one of gaming’s most iconic characters—the Doom Slayer.
Doom: The Dark Ages – Graphics & Performance on PS5, PS5 Pro & Xbox Series X
Though performance varies across consoles, The Dark Ages presents some of the most brutal, visually spectacular action in the series. Targeting 60fps, the game runs at a dynamic 4K resolution on the PS5, with some small frame rate drops in intense combat scenes. Better optimization helps the Xbox Series X to maintain a somewhat more constant performance overall; Digital Foundry observed less stuttering during heavy demon encounters. With ray-traced lighting accentuating the grim medieval hellscapes of the game, both versions utilize idTech 7’s signature fluid motion and graphic detail. Early estimates, however, indicate that the forthcoming PS5 Pro may enhance visuals further, possibly providing improved ray tracing or a smoother 120Hz mode for compatible screens.
The PS5’s cool DualSense triggers make weapons feel more punchy, while Xbox’s Quick Resume gets you back in the game faster. Some PS5 players are seeing textures load a bit slow in busy areas, something that happens less on Xbox. The PS5 Pro could change this when it comes out, but right now, Xbox has a small performance advantage. No matter which console you choose though, Doom: The Dark Ages is one hell of a showpiece – you just might notice tiny differences depending on where you play.
The cinematic sequences present the Slayer in his most detailed and polished form yet. While supporting character models meet expectations, though they’re neither cutting-edge nor revolutionary. The game clearly prioritizes fluid gameplay over raw resolution – opting for dynamic scaling rather than native 4K on consoles. That said, when displayed on quality HDR-capable screens, the visual experience remains impressive while maintaining excellent performance.”
Doom: The Dark Ages – Sound Effects That’ll Make You Sh*t Yourself
Not only does Doom: The Dark Ages appear horrific, but it also sounds like unadulterated mayhem. In perfect harmony with the Slayer’s assault over hellish battlefields, the soundtrack combines pulsating industrial metal with spooky medieval chants. As if the audio crew had taped real demons in a cathedral, every shotgun blast, chainsaw rev, and demonic cry is designed to make you feel the impact.
You can hear an Imp skulking behind you before it attacks because to the amazing positional audio. Gregorian choirs layered over distorted guitars give the rhythmic, pulse-pounding tracks a new gothic touch, while yet retaining Mick Gordon’s DNA. The audio immerses you more into the insanity, whether it’s the ear-splitting noises of a cursed castle or the crushing impact of melee attacks. Playing this game on headphones can cause your eardrums to plead for forgiveness.
Doom: The Dark Ages Gameplay
Let’s get started. The combat in Dark Ages is different. What is the new shield charge? The best of wildness. I couldn’t remember how many times I burst out laughing as demons soared through crumbling castle walls. You can practically feel the weight of the melee battle in your bones when you swing that executioner’s axe.
Although the movement maintains Eternal’s speed, it alters everything by giving them a rough body. Not only can that dash be used to escape, but it can also be used to position the ideal shotgun blast to strike an Imp in the face. And the villains? You will be tested in a way that has never been done before. You’re circle-strafing a Baron and quickly switching weapons to stop those damn flying skulls in the blink of an eye.
My Series X stuttered less when the number of dead bodies got wild, but both systems handle the chaos well. But the little things don’t matter when you’re in the zone, chainsawing through a crowd while heavy metal monks chant in the background. It’s the best Doom game ever, not just a good one.
Final Verdict:
Doom: The Dark Ages sharpens the wheel to a razor’s edge, not reinventing it. With the shield charge and heavier melee adding pleasing impact, the medieval twist injects fresh brutality into the series’ signature combat. Although the PS5 and Xbox versions trade blows in performance, both offer relentless, polished action. Smart enemy encounters and environmental damage keep battles interesting and show id Software still rules the FPS field. This is the Slayer at his best if you yearn for gothic, white-knuckle demon-slaying
