DOOM: The Dark Ages Reviews – Critics Are Loving the Shield, Hating the Dragon

The wait is almost over, DOOM: The Dark Ages drops on May 15, but critics have already delivered their verdict. And as you might’ve guessed, this ain’t just More Doom. The reviews are in, Metacritic scores are up, and the picture forming is one of a bold reinvention with some rough edges. Suppose you were hoping for another pure adrenaline shot like DOOM Eternal. In that case, you’ll find familiar gore and speed here, but wrapped in some new, medieval-inspired mechanics that are dividing opinion.

Let’s take a look at what the major outlets are saying—and yes, it’s mostly good news for Doom Slayers, new and old.

Metacritic Scores at Launch

Right now, DOOM: The Dark Ages is holding a very respectable 84 on Metacritic. The score sits a notch below DOOM Eternal but slightly above DOOM 2016, which makes this a solid third entry in the modern reboot line.

Broken down by platform:

• PC: 85
• PS5: 84
• Xbox Series X/S: 87

It’s fair to expect these scores to shift once more outlets publish, but the early outlook is "generally favorable" across the board.

What Critics Loved (and Didn’t)

The consensus? The Dark Ages is brutal, grounded, and refreshingly different—but not without its flaws.

Screen Rant absolutely loved it, awarding a perfect score:

"Doom: The Dark Ages is a reminder that sometimes the best games simply care about being fun."

IGN gave it a 9/10 and highlighted the fresh tone and satisfying shield mechanics:

"Far from just being “More Doom,” Doom: The Dark Ages is a new flavor of the legendary shooter series that’s heavier and more grounded, but no less energetic and exhilarating. The new shield is an outstanding addition that adds a ton of both offensive and defensive options, and when combined with the extensive arsenal of traditional Doom guns, provides a ton of fun and exciting ways to dispatch the hundreds upon thousands of demons that stand in your way. Add on top of that another pumped-up heavy metal soundtrack backing the excellent weapon, level, and enemy design, and Id has once again proven that like a super shotgun blast from point blank range, they don’t miss."

So yeah, that shield-saw combo is winning hearts and exploding skulls.

Vandal also leaned positively with a 90, focusing on the action core:

"With a more grounded combat approach, a powerful new shield-saw weapon, and the largest enemy hordes ever in the series, Doom: The Dark Ages delivers intense and satisfying action; despite underused segments with the mecha and dragon and some loss of detail in larger maps, its technical excellence and gripping gameplay make it a must-play for fans."

That “underused dragon” bit? You’ll see that pop up again.

Grim Fantasy Vibes Hit Different

This isn't just a genre shift on paper. Multiple outlets pointed out how the game’s tone, pacing, and level structure feel more deliberate, and sometimes divisive.

Eurogamer Poland gave it an 85 and emphasized the new style:

"As a fan of the series, I am very happy that Doom: The Dark Ages turned out to be a breath of fresh air for the series. It took me 18 hours to complete the game, but I will definitely be back to max out each of the 22 levels. The new combat features, like the shield-related mechanics, are good enough that I'd like to see them in some form in future installments of the series. The final score is brought down by minor glitches and a handful of not very well thought-out elements, like the boring dragon segments."

So even some of the most enthusiastic reviewers pointed out pacing issues, particularly in the more “experimental” sections.

A New Kind of DOOM, With a Foot in the Past

What The Dark Ages really seems to be doing well is redefining the franchise without losing its soul. This isn’t DOOM Eternal 2, and that’s exactly why some players are excited.

GameSpot, in their 80/100 review, summed it up like this:

"The emphasis is on melee combat that harmonizes beautifully with the tried-and-tested pace of Doom's action, making each new attack parried and counter-attack landed feel as satisfying as the first... Although it can falter at times when straying too far from the fundamentals, Doom: The Dark Ages shows that there's still so much fertile ground that this series can explore."

PCMag shared similar thoughts on accessibility:

"Featuring many new ways to slaughter hordes of demonic foes, including an incredibly potent new shield mechanic, The Dark Ages isn’t just the biggest Doom game yet—it's the most welcoming to newcomers."

Meanwhile, PC Gamer was a bit more cautious with its praise, saying:

"Doom: The Dark Ages is indulgent and deliciously violent, but surprisingly safe."

That line probably nails the biggest debate happening right now: is The Dark Ages too careful, or just careful enough?

Doomslayer with a Twist

Right now, DOOM: The Dark Ages is looking like a strong contender for shooter of the year, especially for anyone open to a slightly slower, more deliberate version of the DOOM formula. The new shield system is universally praised, the level design is mostly tight, and the tone brings a fresh sense of brutality to the series. On the flip side, the vehicle and dragon sections seem like they could’ve used more polish, and a few reviewers miss the pure chaos of Eternal.

Still, if you’re itching to blast demons in ways you haven’t before, this is absolutely worth your time.

And who knows, maybe by the time launch day hits and more scores roll in, that Metacritic 84 could rise a little higher.