Dark Ages Game: Full Review, Gameplay and Price Guide

The Dark Ages game is DOOM: The Dark Ages, the eighth entry in id Software's iconic shooter series. It launched on May 15, 2025, and tells the origin story behind DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, dropping the Doom Slayer into a techno-medieval war against Hell.

Below you'll find the story premise, gameplay changes, system requirements, price and a verdict on whether it's worth buying in 2026.

What the Game Is About: Story and Setting

The story takes place long before the classic DOOM timeline. The Doom Slayer serves gods and kings as a living weapon against demonic hordes, in a world that blends medieval armor, castles and knights with mechs, dragons and sci-fi technology.

The narrative is told in a more cinematic way than previous entries, with political intrigue, betrayal and massive set-piece battles involving giant machinery and flying beasts.

• You still play as the Doom Slayer, but during an earlier chapter of his story.
• The world is partially open, letting you explore between missions.
• Large boss fights feature vehicle sections - the Atlan mech and a mechanical dragon.

Release Date and Platforms

The Dark Ages game released on May 15, 2025, a date confirmed at the Xbox Developer Direct presentation in January 2025. It launched simultaneously across all major platforms.

Available platforms:

1. Windows (Steam, Battle.net)
2. PlayStation 5
3. Xbox Series X|S

id Software developed the game, while Bethesda Softworks published it. It's fully localized with subtitles and voiceover in multiple languages, including Russian, making it accessible to a broad international audience.

Gameplay: What Changed from Eternal

The biggest shift from DOOM Eternal is pacing. Instead of constant air-dashing and platforming, id Software leaned into a heavier, more grounded melee-focused combat style.

Key new mechanics:

• Shield Saw - block incoming attacks, parry projectiles, and throw the shield as a weapon.
• Parrying - a well-timed shield block reflects damage and staggers enemies.
• Expanded arsenal - new weapons including heavier shotguns and energy-based guns.
• Vehicle combat - dedicated mech and dragon sections change the rhythm of certain levels.

This design choice split opinion. Critics largely praised the new combat loop, while some hardcore Eternal fans felt the slower pace and reduced mobility made fights less intense.

The main campaign takes roughly 13 hours to finish, while a full completionist run runs closer to 21 hours.

System Requirements for the Dark Ages Game

Playing on PC comfortably requires fairly modern hardware, since the game demands ray tracing support.

One important detail: the game requires a GPU with hardware ray tracing support - older cards without it simply won't launch the game, even on minimum settings.

Price and Where to Buy

The game is sold on Steam, Xbox and PlayStation storefronts worldwide, along with Xbox Game Pass, which includes it at no extra cost for subscribers.

• Standard edition pricing on Steam and console stores typically sits around $69.99 in US pricing regions.
• A Premium Edition adds a digital artbook, soundtrack and bonus cosmetic skins for a higher price point.
• A Collector's Bundle includes a 12-inch Doom Slayer statue alongside the game.

Always check regional pricing and store availability before purchasing, since editions and bundles can vary by platform.

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Critic and Player Scores

Critics welcomed Dark Ages warmly, praising its style, atmosphere and reworked combat system. Player opinion is more divided - some enjoy the slower, heavier pace, while others miss the frantic intensity of Eternal.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Atmospheric techno-medieval storytelling with strong production values.
• The new shield-based combat system adds tactical depth.
• Large-scale boss fights and vehicle sections add variety to the campaign.
• Full localization and voice acting in multiple languages.

Cons:

• Lower difficulty ceiling compared to DOOM Eternal - less appealing for players chasing a hardcore challenge.
• Demanding ray-tracing requirement limits older hardware.
• Some regions face limited access through official storefronts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dark Ages game? It's DOOM: The Dark Ages, a first-person shooter by id Software that serves as a prequel to DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, set in a dark techno-medieval war against Hell.

How long does it take to beat Dark Ages? The main campaign takes about 13 hours, while a full completionist playthrough takes roughly 21 hours.

What platforms is Dark Ages available on? The game is available on Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Do I need a ray tracing GPU to play Dark Ages? Yes, ray tracing support is a hard requirement - the game won't launch on GPUs without it, even at minimum settings.

Is Dark Ages worth it for DOOM Eternal fans? Yes, with one caveat: the combat is slower and more grounded, so players who loved Eternal's frantic pace may find Dark Ages less intense, though its atmosphere and presentation are a clear step up.