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Review of doom: the dark ages a disappointing experience

Doom: The Dark Ages | Users Split on Quality of New Release

By

Aisha Khan

May 20, 2025, 08:42 PM

3 minutes of duration

A scene from Doom: The Dark Ages showing a dark fantasy landscape with a warrior facing a monstrous creature
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As gamers dive into Doom: The Dark Ages, opinions are sharply divided. While some enjoy the game, others question its quality, citing a lack of classic mechanics. This controversy has sparked an active discussion on various forums.

Players Share Their Experiences

Many players who were familiar with previous Doom titles describe this new entry as a departure from the expected run-and-gun gameplay. "Itโ€™s intentionally built different; the run 'n' gun style is replaced with a 'stand your ground' approach," noted one gamer who is adapting to the new style.

Interestingly, a newcomer to the series expressed enjoying the game without the baggage of earlier iterations: "Iโ€™ve never played a DOOM game before - Iโ€™m having a ton of fun with this one."

A Mixed Reception

With reviews suggesting a decline in quality, some players maintain that the game is a refreshing change. One fan stated, "Technically speaking, itโ€™s a graphical marvel that puts UE to shame. Gameplay-wise, itโ€™s highly thoughtful with tons of variety."

However, criticisms linger around the gameplay mechanics. One commenter mentioned that Doom: The Dark Ages suffers from sound mixing issues, stating, "It's better than 2016 and Eternal in terms of gameplay, but the sound mixing is behind."

"Every game of the reboot trilogy has sought to change the formula substantially it feels less like arbitrarily going from point A to B."

Key Sentiments from the Community

Opinions are split, but several core arguments resonate across discussions:

  • Gameplay Style: Many argue that the gameโ€™s slower, more thoughtful pacing differs sharply from past entries.

  • Visuals and Mechanics: Compliments about the graphics dominate, with players calling it a significant achievement visually.

  • Learning Curve: Some gamers highlight the importance of adapting to the new mechanics, as initial impressions may not reflect the full experience.

Key Takeaways

  • ๐ŸŸข New players enjoy the accessibility of TDA, while veterans express dissatisfaction.

  • โš ๏ธ Concerns over sound quality noted as a step back compared to prior games.

  • โญ "I think itโ€™s my new favorite Doom game" - A strong endorsement showing optimism.

As forums and user boards buzz with reactions, gaming enthusiasts are left to ponder: Is the shift in Doom's gameplay a bold exploration or a misstep? Only time will tell how Doom: The Dark Ages will be remembered in the franchise's storied history.

The Road Ahead for Doom: The Dark Ages

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that as Doom: The Dark Ages garners more attention, developers will release patches to address the sound issues highlighted by players. Given the initial buzz and divided opinions, itโ€™s likely they might also introduce additional content to cater to both newcomers and series veterans. Experts estimate around a 60% probability that future updates will aim to strike a balance between the new gameplay style and the classic features that fans loved. This could encourage more discussions around the game, leading to renewed interest and possibly new expansions in the franchise over the next year.

Echoes of the Past in Gamingโ€™s Evolution

Reflecting on the transition in Doom, a fitting parallel can be drawn from the shift in music genres during the early 2000s, particularly the rise of indie music as a counter to mainstream pop. Just as aspiring artists ventured away from established norms, crafting unique sounds, Doom may be finding its footing in a different realm of gameplay. Those who embrace this new direction could uncover hidden depths and reshape the way we view the franchise, much like how fresh concepts in music ultimately transformed the auditory landscape, inviting both nostalgia and innovation.