Doom: The Dark Ages is a bold and blood-soaked reimagining of the legendary franchise, stepping away from the futuristic sci-fi chaos of Doom Eternal and into a dark medieval nightmare. As a prequel to the modern reboot series, it explores the Slayer’s origins in a new setting—grim, gritty, and dripping with atmosphere. While not without flaws, this game delivers one of the most memorable action experiences of the year, and on PlayStation 5, it’s an absolute showcase.

Medieval Mayhem with a New Combat Identity

The biggest change from previous entries is the game’s slower, more methodical pacing. Doom has always been about fast movement and frantic gunplay, but here, there’s a deliberate shift. Combat still hits hard, but the introduction of a flail-shield hybrid weapon adds a heavier feel to the gameplay. Encounters demand more tactical positioning and measured aggression, which may feel strange to long-time fans but quickly becomes satisfying as your arsenal grows.

It’s a calculated risk that pays off. Where Doom Eternal often felt like a ballet of bullets, The Dark Ages feels like a brutal slugfest in a dungeon. The hellhawk mount, another new feature, adds a vertical dimension to combat that’s both cinematic and mechanically useful, helping the game carve out its own identity within the series.

PlayStation 5 Performance and Cross-Platform Notes

On PS5, Doom: The Dark Ages runs beautifully. The game delivers fast loading times, tight performance at a steady 60 frames per second, and crisp visuals in both performance and fidelity modes. The DualSense controller adds tactile feedback that genuinely enhances the experience, with adaptive triggers and haptics used to great effect in combat and environmental moments.

Compared to other platforms, the PS5 version is among the most polished:

  • The PC version boasts superior graphical customization but requires high-end specs to match PS5 performance.
  • Xbox Series X performs similarly to PS5 but lacks the immersive DualSense feedback.
  • Xbox Series S suffers from reduced texture quality and occasional frame drops during intense scenes.

In terms of core gameplay, there’s little difference between platforms, but the PS5 edges ahead thanks to its balance of power and presentation.

Strengths

The game’s art direction is one of its standout features. Gothic cathedrals, scorched battlefields, and twisted medieval architecture create a moody, immersive world that feels distinct from anything else in the franchise. The soundtrack, though created without Mick Gordon this time, still hits with the industrial weight and aggression fans expect.

Combat is refreshingly different while retaining the power fantasy at the heart of Doom. The new weapons, mounts, and enemies bring variety, and once upgrades unlock, the flow becomes addictive.

The game is also impressively polished. No crashes or major bugs were encountered during testing on PS5, and everything from menus to mid-fight transitions is smooth and snappy.

Weaknesses

Not everything lands perfectly. The opening hours are slower than expected and focus heavily on setting up the world, which might not appeal to players looking for instant action. Some reviewers have also pointed out that certain enemy types don’t scale well with the player’s increasing power in the late game, making the difficulty curve feel uneven.

Additionally, the arsenal at launch is more limited than in Doom Eternal. While the new tools are fun, long-time fans may miss the sheer variety of firepower offered in previous titles.

Conclusion: 8 out of 10

Doom: The Dark Ages is a bold, ambitious entry in the franchise that dares to change the formula without losing its identity. It’s slower, heavier, and more focused than its predecessors, and while that shift won’t be for everyone, it’s executed with confidence and flair. On PlayStation 5, the experience is technically outstanding and deeply immersive, making it the best way to enjoy the game for most players.

It’s not the fastest Doom, or the most expansive, but it is one of the most atmospheric and uniquely styled. And more importantly, it’s a damn good time.