Review – Doom: The Dark Ages

I remember well, while playing, imagining what it would be like to control the robot that appears at the bottom of a scenario dueling against a giant demon. And, in addition to wielding the crucible sword, being able to use a shield. Certainly ID Software already had these ideas in mind for the next game, and that’s exactly what doom: The Dark Ages delivers. This prequel is a junction of the ideas that worked in the last games, but reimagined in a medieval guise. This, of course, without leaving the futuristic aspect aside. The result will please both those who enjoyed the games since the 2016 reboot as well as those who freaked out with Doom in the 1990s.

It is not necessary to have followed the previous games to enjoy the story of Doom: The Dark Ages. In this prequel, the sentinels of the night made a deal with the Maykrs-the extra-dimensional breed presented in eternal doom-to subjugate Slayer’s wrath and keep it under control in a prison above the clouds. Commander Thira, representing humans, and Bishop Kreed, representing Maykrs, define when the slayer should be sent to the battlefield. And when this happens, the broth thickens very much to the side of the demons.

The Argent defender now has a shield

In a new infernal invasion on planet Argent d’Nur, a witch and a priest perform their plan to find the heart of Argent, an artifact that can give unimaginable powers to his master, Prince Ahzrak. With Slayer on the field to contain the invasion, the player quickly learns how to use the shield to block, deflect, move on with an attack, open paths and also throw enemies. Against weak enemies, the shield comes out cutting them in half with its swivel saw, while against medium and strong enemies you can break your armor (when superchenting) and also cause a kind of stunning, with the shield and spinning on your chest. This opens the advantage for the player to give more shots and finish it for good.

After Doom’s opening scene: The Dark Ages, you start gambling with the shotgun, take the power handle (for heavy attack, melee) and quickly feel familiar with the mechanics presented in previous games. And also with the classic enemies, which return with more exaggerated look, new behavior (from AI) and unpublished attacks. These attacks involve green projectiles, which you can deflect with the shield and thus break the enemy’s armor.

The shield obviously allows us to defend itself from ordinary shots, but even a certain limit. By defending many shots, you temporarily lose your use, being totally at the mercy of your reflexes not to take damage. The shield also allows other cool things, such as reaching vertical areas of the map by throwing its shield into a gosty green statue and being pulled to it, and is also used to trigger mechanisms and open a door, activate a platform and the like. It is very reminiscent of the mechanics of Kratos Machado in God of War (2018).

Another cool thing about the shield is that it receives throughout the campaign, including 4 runes (each with 4 improvements) to choose which one to equip and have passive damage when successfully deflecting green attacks. By the way, one of the runes represents the automatic Torreta of Eternal Doom, the one on DoomGuy’s shoulder. The only difference is that it is no longer used as a flame throw. Such enhancements you perform at the Sentinel Sanctuary, found in more than one place on the maps and where you spend the gold collected, the rubies and the stones of abanesms, the latter allowing the final upgrades.

Renewed and improved arsenal

The weapons (11 in total) are now grouped into styles and can alternate between two variations at any time with the pressing of a single button. For example, switching from the shotgun to the superescope rapidly, without having to open the menu of weapons on the slow motion. Their new look was too amazing, super detailed. And it has in Arsenal, like the fireworker, which bursts up a chained iron ball that acts as a body blow, only performed at a distance and can be carried to cause more damage. The impulative is another novelty, perfect to kill the longing for those who enjoyed, sticking general to the wall. The secondary weapons shooting, present in previous games, was replaced by the use of the shield in Doom: The Dark AGES.

This new shield gameplay gives an extra layer to the strategy of fighting, but without slowing the action. If you like to run and shoot like crazy like me, you can do that. But with the strongest enemies you have to think a little, especially so as not to be caught amid the shower of shots that happens on the screen. Literally a Bullet Hell, brightly implemented in this SPF. And everything we have seen in past games, such as the lives system (just not to have to go back to the last checkpoint), the demons finishes, the life / armor / ammo recovery scheme, the collectible dolls, the codices with Lore Extra, finally, follows everything the same.

Another novelty is for Melee variation, now involving two other weapons: a mangrove and one apple. The three options also have upgrades, such as additional attacks and greater damage. And this, added to the news of weapons and the use of the shield, make up the battle you will fight against enemies and the leaders, that you tear your heart to increase the meter of life, armor and maximum ammunition. These leaders are found in specific areas of the map, usually a large arena, and can only be faced after you end their morale meter. They are larger challenges, with a large amount of strong enemies at the same time. And yes, it has new enemies like Komodo and Cosmic Baron, both thick shell to win.

Doom: The Dark Ages expands combat to the sky

Not to tire the player with the frequent terrestrial combat, characteristic of the franchise, Doom: The Dark Ages also brings combat to the heights with the dragon. The winged mount allows us to explore with a little more freedom, as well as pursuing demonic aircraft, breaking bases and landing in demarcated places. Only the way ID Software has replaced the shield issue, with the dragon wrap and diverting green shots to be able to make more powerful shots. Still, very welcome in the gameplay.

And, as quoted before, we can control robot Atlan in combat against giant demons in the best Super Sentai style. You fake punches, give a stunning one and perform powerful finishes, all having to dodge enemy blows signaled in green. The cool thing is to be able to run by destroying the whole scenario and crushing common armies where it step.

Doom: The Dark Ages can reinvent the franchise, although weapons and enemies are mostly the same. The frantic action, the wonderful heavy metal soundtrack, and the well -developed story of this prequel make this new title a mandatory experience for those who love FPS and missed Doomguy’s supernatural truculence.