Introduction
Doom: The Dark Ages hit shelves on May 15, 2025, and it’s a wild ride through a medieval hellscape. This prequel to Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal puts you in the Doom Slayer’s boots, battling demons with a badass Shield Saw and even riding dragons. Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, it’s a must-play for fans and newbies alike. This guide dives into the heart of Doom: The Dark Ages—gameplay, story, visuals, and those tricky secrets and collectibles. Ready to slay demons and hunt hidden treasures? Let’s jump into doom dark ages!
Game Overview
Doom: The Dark Ages, crafted by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, is a single-player first-person shooter. Set in a gritty medieval world, it follows the Doom Slayer’s early war against Hell’s hordes. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Medieval Vibes: Explore castles, villages, and demon-ravaged battlefields.
- Fresh Combat: Wield the Shield Saw, ride dragons, and pilot mechs for epic fights.
- Secrets Galore: Missions pack hidden codex entries, toys, and upgrades.
- Epic Story: Cinematic cutscenes reveal the Doom Slayer’s origins.
Available on next-gen platforms and Xbox Game Pass, doom has earned praise for its bold take.
Review
Gameplay
Doom: The Dark Ages keeps the series’ intense combat but adds cool twists. The Shield Saw is a beast—you can block, bash, or chuck it at enemies. Riding dragons or stomping in Atlans (big mechs) makes battles feel huge. Weapons like the Super Shotgun and Rocket Launcher pack a punch, and upgrades tweak them for health or armor boosts.
It’s slower than Doom Eternal’s zippy movement, but the heavier feel fits the medieval vibe. Big arenas and tough enemies force you to think fast and move smart. It takes a minute to click, but once it does, it’s pure fun.
Story and Setting
You’re the Doom Slayer, fighting to save humanity from Hell in a dark, medieval world. The story unfolds through slick cutscenes and in-game chatter, giving a peek into the Slayer’s rage. The setting—crumbling keeps, haunted forests, demonic fortresses—is creepy and awesome. It’s less sci-fi than Doom Eternal but still feels like classic doom with a fantasy twist.
Graphics and Sound
This game looks insane. Castles and demons pop with detail, and ray tracing makes it prettier on the right setup. The soundtrack? Pure heavy metal chaos, mixed with orchestral bits for story moments. Every shotgun blast, demon roar, and Slayer grunt pulls you deeper into the action.
Overall Experience
Doom: The Dark Ages mixes old-school doom with fresh ideas. The 20+ hour campaign is a blast, and tons of secrets keep you coming back. It’s not as fast as Doom Eternal, but the combat and world make it a winner. Whether you’re a doom diehard or just curious, it’s a hell of a good time.
Secrets and Collectibles Guide
Doom: The Dark Ages is packed with hidden goodies that make exploration a blast. Here’s a breakdown of doom the dark ages secrets and collectibles in key missions:
| Mission (Chapter) | Secrets | Codex Entries | Collectible Toys | Weapon Skins | Demonic Essence | Gold | Rubies | Challenges (Rewards) |
| Village of Khalim (1) | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Hebeth (2) | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Health (1) | 210 | - | - |
| Sentinel Barracks (4) | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Armour (1) | 212 | 2 | Rip and Tear (Kill 40 demons, gold), Plunderer (Find 150 gold, gold), Prize Fighter (Execute 3-hit Melee Combo 3x, gold) |
| The Holy City of Aratum (5) | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Armour (1), Ammo (1) | 240 | 2 | Countercult (Dispatch all cultist circles, ruby), Layover (Dismount Dragon at 2 secret landing zones, Cat and Mouse (Chase and destroy 3 hell fighter ships, gold) |
| Siege - Part 1 (6) | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Armour (1), Ammo (1) | 513 | 4 | Immovable Object (Parry 10 hellknight attacks, gold), Unstoppable Force (Strike demons with flail 25x, gold), Siege Breaker (Destroy 4 artillery cannons, Reverent Combat Shotgun) |
| Siege - Part 2 (7) | 9 | 1 | 1 | - | Health (1) | 183 | 2 | Roundhouse (Hit demons 10x with fully charged chainshot, gold), Exterminator (Kill 3+ fodder demons with shield throw 5x, Reverent Shredder) |
| Abyssal Forest (8) | 11 | 1 | 1 | - | Armour (1) | 250 | 2 | Ghost Buster (Parry revenant projectiles, ruby), Knockout (Execute 4 Dazed demons with shield charge, gold), Bone Collector (Collect 100 ammo loot drops from melee, gold) |
| Ancestral Forge (9) | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Health (1), Ammo (1) | 230 | 2 | Nothing But Nade (Score 10 direct hits with Grenade Launcher, gold), Sawed Off (Lock down demons with shield saw for 20s total, gold), Seven Secrets (Discover 7 secret areas, Reverent Accelerator) |
| The Forsaken Plains (10) | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Health (1), Armour (1), Ammo (1) | 230 | 3 | Rocket Man (Damage 5+ demons with Rocket Launcher shot 5x, gold), Exterminator (Destroy 2 gore nests, Reverent Pulverizer), Fault Line (Affect 25 demons with ground fissure shield rune, gold) |
| Hellbreaker (11) | 1 | - | 1 | - | Armour (1) | 85 | - | Elusive (Execute perfect dodge 5x, gold), Dispersion (Damage 3+ demons with holy swarm volley 5x, gold), Crushinator (Kill 10 demons with flail while mounted on dragon, ruby) |
Tips for Finding Secrets:
- Check Walls: Smash cracked walls to find hidden rooms.
- Use the Map: It shows unexplored areas to guide your hunt.
- Complete Challenges: Earn gold, rubies, or weapon skins by tackling mission tasks.
- Listen Up: Glowing items or sound cues often point to doom the dark ages secrets.
This guide helps you snag every reward, from Demonic Essence to collectible toys that add lore.
FAQs
1. How Many Secrets Are There in Total?
Each mission has 6 to 11 secrets, adding up to over 80 in the campaign. Explore every nook and break walls to find them all.
2. What Are the Best Weapons in Doom: The Dark Ages?
The Super Shotgun is a close-range monster, the Rocket Launcher clears crowds, and the Shield Saw is great for blocking and throwing. Upgrade them for max impact.
3. Is Doom: The Dark Ages Part of the Main Doom Storyline?
Yup, it’s a prequel to Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, setting up the Slayer’s later adventures.
4. Can I Play on Older Consoles?
Nope, doom dark ages is only on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, built for next-gen power.
5. Does It Have Multiplayer?
It’s all about the single-player campaign, with a deep story and no multiplayer modes.
Conclusion
Doom: The Dark Ages is a killer mix of medieval grit and doom’s classic chaos. With epic combat, a cool story, and jaw-dropping visuals, it’s a blast. Over 80 doom the dark ages secrets and collectibles make exploring a thrill. Whether you’re blasting demons with the Shield Saw or hunting codex entries, this game rocks. Pick it up, channel your inner Doom Slayer, and dive into Hell’s depths today!
