DOOM: The Dark Ages divides fans with bold changes

DOOM: The Dark Ages has ignited passionate debate among fans due to its slower pacing and missing features, marking a bold departure from the frenetic energy of DOOM Eternal. While lauded for its medieval sci-fi aesthetic and innovative Shield Saw, the game’s reception is polarized, with some embracing its heavier combat and others longing for Eternal’s relentless momentum.

What caused this debate among players?

Unlike DOOM Eternal, which redefined the series with hyper-mobile gameplay, The Dark Ages adopts a “stand and fight” philosophy. The Shield Saw, a dual-purpose weapon for offense and defense, introduces a parry mechanic that rewards strategic timing but slows the tempo. This shift, inspired by Eternal’s divisive Marauder enemy, contrasts sharply with Eternal’s emphasis on constant movement via dashes, double-jumps, and the Meat Hook. Fans of Eternal’s fluidity often find The Dark Ages’ grounded approach less exhilarating, with reduced verticality and no fast-travel mechanics amplifying the sense of restraint. The absence of multiplayer, a staple in Eternal, further fuels criticism, as players miss the competitive chaos of Battlemode.

The pacing changes also tie to the game’s lore-heavy narrative, which explores the Doom Slayer’s origins in a medieval war against Hell. While some praise this depth, others argue it disrupts the series’ traditional focus on action, a balance DOOM Eternal struck with minimal cutscenes. Eternal’s tight 15-20 hour campaign felt relentless, whereas The Dark Ages’ 12-15 hour runtime, padded with slower exploration and cinematic moments, can feel disjointed, especially in experimental sequences like mech piloting.

Critics, reflected in an 85 Metacritic score, applaud The Dark Ages’ technical prowess and bold risks, but its Steam peak of 30,802 players pales against Eternal’s 106,891, suggesting fan hesitancy. While DOOM Eternal was a near-universal triumph for its polished chaos, The Dark Ages divides with its deliberate pacing and omissions. For fans of tactical combat, it’s a fresh evolution; for Eternal purists, it’s a step too far from the series’ high-octane roots. Check out the best prices for DOOM: The Dark Ages using our price comparison tool.