TLDR Review: DOOM: The Dark Ages – Xbox Series X
Verdict
*DOOM: The Dark Ages – Xbox Series X* offers an intense, cinematic first-person shooter experience with a bold medieval twist that reinvigorates the DOOM franchise. It’s a must-have prequel for fans eager to dive deeper into the Doom Slayer’s origins and enjoy challenging, satisfying combat with fresh mechanics. However, if you’re after more modern shooter complexity or easier exploration options, you might want to consider waiting for additional content or exploring other titles like DOOM Eternal for a more polished and feature-rich experience. Overall, this game promises addictive gameplay and strong series continuity for the loyal DOOM fanbase.
- Top pro:
- Delivers a dark, medieval atmosphere that cleverly blends Bloodborne vibes with the classic DOOM universe, offering a fresh twist on the franchise.
- Top con:
- Gameplay can feel somewhat simple and repetitive, focusing mainly on search and destroy mechanics with enemies using limited, predictable side-stepping tactics.
Pros
- •Delivers a dark, medieval atmosphere that cleverly blends Bloodborne vibes with the classic DOOM universe, offering a fresh twist on the franchise.
- •Engaging gameplay featuring the DOOM Slayer feels intense and satisfying thanks to new mechanics like a shield system that makes you feel unstoppable.
- •Introduces fresh combat elements by removing repetitive glory kills in favor of a new finishing system, keeping fights exciting.
- •Offers a rich cinematic experience with well-crafted cutscenes that deepen the storyline and lore for fans of the series.
- •Provides challenging gameplay that rewards focus and skill, appealing to players seeking a tough but rewarding first-person shooter.
- •Includes collectibles and extras, encouraging exploration and extending gameplay beyond the main missions.
- •Gameplay segments involving mechs and dragons add enjoyable variety and break up the core shooting action.
- •Physical disc edition is perfect for collectors and those who prefer tangible copies over digital downloads.
- •Serves as a solid prequel, enhancing the overall DOOM trilogy experience by expanding on the origin story of the Doom Slayer.
Cons
- •Gameplay can feel somewhat simple and repetitive, focusing mainly on search and destroy mechanics with enemies using limited, predictable side-stepping tactics.
- •Lacks modern shooter flourishes found in games like Destiny or Borderlands, which may disappoint players looking for deep customization or complex mechanics.
- •Missing convenient features like fast travel or level select to revisit missed secrets, forcing full mission replays for completionists.
- •The campaign, while engaging, might not fully showcase the game's potential or depth for players craving innovation beyond its core formula.
- •Some players may find the medieval setting and tone a bit of a departure from the fast-paced, modern sci-fi DOOM feel they love.
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How we researched this
About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from 1 retailer in ShopSavvy's price data, most recently seen Feb 22, 2025.
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