In contrast to its predecessors like Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, Doom: The Dark Ages offers a unique blend of intense combat and narrative depth. It presents players with a ferocious journey of brutality characterized by “ripping and tearing.”The game unfolds over the course of 22 chapters, each designed with distinctive levels that are rich in secrets, challenging puzzles, and diverse enemy encounters.
As a narrative-oriented addition to the franchise, Doom: The Dark Ages transforms the Slayer into a pivotal figure, heralded by the denizens of Argent D’Nur as their potential savior while simultaneously evoking fear in the forces of Hell.
However, not all chapters deliver the same level of excitement. While some story arcs resonate well, the expansion of the narrative leads to instances where certain chapters falter, either by feeling overly extensive or suffering from inferior level design.
This overview examines every chapter in Doom: The Dark Ages. Rather than assessing them based on storyline merit—since the game’s appeal lies not primarily in its plot—we will focus on their overall enjoyment, gameplay elements, and memorable experiences.
The evaluations are based on gameplay at Nightmare difficulty and come after thorough second playthroughs.
Spoilers Ahead: This review will delve deep into the game’s content, so expect significant spoilers.
22 Chapter 22
Reckoning
The following chapters will review those that did not resonate positively with me.
Commencing with the final chapter, Reckoning, it ultimately lands as a lackluster conclusion compared to its penultimate counterpart. Instead of crafting an epic showdown, the game opts for more filler as players infiltrate Hell, targeting Ahzrak and the Witch.
This encounter seems to lean more toward a chore than a climactic battle, presenting a dual boss fight that feels gimmicky rather than satisfying. The Witch, in particular, remains underdeveloped as a character, leading to a lesser emotional investment in her defeat.In contrast, Ahzrak adds a personal stake through his previous actions against Serrat.
21 Chapter 18
Belly Of The Beast
This chapter is arguably the most grotesque segment of the game. In Belly Of The Beast, the Slayer finds himself swallowed by an Old One, engaging in a surreal battle for survival within its insides.
While creative in concept, this premise is certainly not for the faint-hearted. The design of navigating through the creature’s anatomy—particularly its organ-shaped architecture—can become tedious. Additionally, the unclear markings on hazardous pools detract from the overall experience, making navigation while under attack frustrating.
20 Chapter 10
The Forsaken Plane
In pursuit of Ahzrak, the Slayer’s journey takes him into Hell with the objective of repairing a malfunctioning Atlan to launch an assault on Ahzrak’s fortress. However, this much-anticipated foray into Hell feels surprisingly lackluster.
The narrative mentions numerous expeditions to Hell, yet the environmental storytelling largely misses its mark beyond mere set pieces. Combat becomes rather repetitious, and the chapter often feels like it centers around a mundane fetch quest rather than exhilarating encounters.
19 Chapter 11
Hellbreaker
This chapter splits into two segments: one involving the Atlan and the other offering traditional infantry combat.As a comparatively shorter chapter, its length may be both an asset and a drawback.
While the mech combat initiates a thrilling start, it quickly stagnates. The enthusiasm built from the opening cutscene diminishes when players are misled into anticipating a confrontation with Ahzrak, only to face yet another Agaddon, rendering the chapter feel somewhat redundant.
18 Chapter 15
City Of Ry’uul
Transitioning into surreal environments marked by eldritch influences, players experience a shift away from the typical hellish landscapes. While it was unexpected to find ourselves in Lovecraftian realms, it didn’t completely meet expectations.
The opening section captivates with dimensions of tentacles and infinite spheres. Yet as players progress, the interior designs appear repetitive, with the peculiar geometry leading to navigational challenges.
Additionally, the introduction of the Cosmic Baron and Acolyte adds elements of annoyance during fights, diminishing the enjoyment.
17 Chapter 6
Victories – Part 1
In this chapter, the Slayer breaks free, aiding the people of Argent in their struggle against demonic forces, marking a point of regained agency.
This level serves as an entry point for many players, offering a semi-open world and introducing a morale-based gameplay mechanic, enhancing the scale of conflict between Argent’s inhabitants and Hell.
Despite straightforward tasks, puzzle elements that lead to secrets can be quite tedious. The wolf puzzles, in particular, lack clarity, requiring extensive searching for success.
16 Chapter 20
Resurrection
In this chapter, the Slayer’s tenacity becomes evident as not even death can hinder him. The gameplay features a more compact open area, resulting in frequent combat interactions.
However, the chapter suffers due to an underwhelming dragon section that feels more like a narrative device than a substantive gameplay experience.
Critically, dragon mechanics appear passive, contrasting sharply with the game’s theme of aggressive combat. While Maykr drones present little challenge, the two-phase fight with Kreed Maykr offers satisfactory engagement in a limited sense.
15 Chapter 2
Hebeth
Chapter 2 takes place in the Argenta city of Hebeth, a familiar backdrop for players of Doom Eternal.
While combat mechanics remain straightforward and introduce new foes like the Stalker Imp and Hell Knight, this chapter begins to reveal some design flaws.
Backtracking becomes prevalent, with some secrets feeling unnecessarily convoluted to access, the most notable being a well-concealed valve blocked by fire that hinders progress.
14 Chapter 12
Sentinel Command Station
Chapter 12 begins on a slow note, lulling players into a state of false security before ramping up to explosive confrontations.
Initial impressions of this chapter may not be stellar due to spotting missed secrets just after committing to irreversible progress.
However, following a second playthrough, this chapter proves itself engaging. While visually unremarkable, it seamlessly transitions players into successive combat scenarios.
Additionally, this chapter introduces players to the Cosmic Realm, undeniably one of the more compelling elements of the game.
13 Chapter 3
Barrier Core
Chapter 3 emphasizes the thrill of piloting the Atlan as players navigate through confined arenas, engaging in combat against Titans.
The impressive mechanics, accompanied by immersive animations and sound design, create a compelling experience where each punch reverberates with destructive power.
Nonetheless, while operating a gigantic mech is undoubtedly exhilarating, the somewhat rudimentary combat mechanics can lead to monotony. It would have been beneficial if the Atlan encounters offered more depth. Fortunately, the chapter concludes before overstaying its welcome.
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