Reviewed on: PC (RTX 5080, 64GB RAM). Code provided by publisher.
Doom: The Dark Ages is exactly what it sounds like: Doom, but with swords, shields, and demons that look like they stepped out of a Hieronymus Bosch painting. The premise sounds like a joke. The execution is anything but.
Gameplay
The core loop remains intact: enter arena, assess threats, prioritize targets, rip and tear. The medieval weapons add genuine depth. The shield acts as both a parry tool and a projectile weapon. The flail has a satisfying weight that the Super Shotgun's hook never quite matched. Combat encounters are puzzle-like, asking you to manage crowd control while exploiting environmental hazards.
Performance and Visuals
On PC at 4K max settings, the game runs at a locked 120fps. The id Tech 8 engine delivers some of the most impressive lighting and destruction physics seen to date. Console versions target 60fps on PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X, with a 120fps performance mode available at a dynamic resolution.
Verdict
Doom: The Dark Ages takes a bold concept and executes it with surgical precision. The campaign runs about 14 hours — longer than 2016's Doom but tighter than Eternal. It is the best first-person shooter of 2026 so far.
Score: 9/10