Expectations are extremely high for this legendary series.
Within the realm of first-person shooters, the DOOM franchise has consistently been thought of as a standard bearer.
The term “fast-paced action” and “gritty combat” have been synonymous with it since the early 1990s. The game’s high-speed gameplay, deadly combat, and fearsome demons were all factors that attracted players to it.
Throughout the course of its existence, the series has undergone a number of transformations, with each new installment bringing something fresh to the table.
Both DOOM Eternal and the reboot that was released in 2016 received plaudits for their ability to revitalize the genre by introducing new gameplay features, combat styles that are more aggressive, and a deep link to the series’ origins.
Fans of DOOM: The Dark Ages had great expectations for the game because it was based on such a powerful legacy. A daring new path was promised by the teasers and trailers that were released early on.
It seemed to combine the savagery of the past with a contemporary aesthetic, and it was set in a world that was darker and more medieval in nature.
But after the game was made available to the public and fans were able to get their hands on it, a lot of them started to express their dissatisfaction.
An Exciting Beginning That Dissipates Very Rapidly
Upon initial inspection, it seems as though DOOM: The Dark Ages contains everything that a fan could possibly desire.
The visual design is excellent, featuring eerie underground caverns, gloomy battlefields, and castles that are reminiscent of witchcraft.
The mood is dense and deep, and the environments have a great deal of information packed into them.
Both the character designs and the soundtrack continue to depict the demonic pandemonium that fans like. The soundtrack continues to carry that aggressive metal energy.
However, as soon as the game starts, the excitement quickly dissipates and becomes less noticeable.
The gameplay is quite familiar, perhaps even too familiar, despite the fact that the looks are brand new. Although the fighting is still fast and fierce, many players have the impression that it does not evolve or surprise them in the same way as it did in earlier games.
Within the first few hours of the game, the same attack patterns, weapon cycles, and confrontations with enemies begin to seem like they are becoming repetitive.
The Fight That Is Devoid of Innovation
Battle is the most important aspect of each DOOM game. Previous games had conflicts that felt more vibrant and unpredictable than they do now.
During each encounter, it was necessary to have fast thinking, a command of weapons, and an awareness of the conduct of the enemy.
As an example, DOOM Eternal required players to maintain their forward momentum and make strategic decisions while under intense pressure.
DOOM: The Dark Ages, on the other hand, appears to rely on outdated gameplay mechanics. In spite of the fact that the environment could be varied, the gameplay cycle is essentially the same.
Players engage in a cycle of shooting, dodging, and repeating. In spite of the fact that they have been altered to fit the medieval concept, the weapons perform fairly similarly to those found in earlier games. As far as the gameplay is concerned, there are no genuine surprises or twists that will keep gamers on their toes.
The more time that passes, the more obvious it is that there is a paucity of technological advancement.
There is a pattern that may be predicted for boss fights. The enemy kinds are completely recognizable, with only minor visual differences.
Even with the addition of new components, such as magical abilities or horseback combat, it seems as though they are not being utilized.
As a consequence of this, the gameplay loses its excitement, and battles that ought to be fierce actually start to feel like repetitive tasks.
A Narrative That Struggles to Establish a Connection
The storyline in the game is another concern that has been brought up by fans. DOOM has never been known for having particularly in-depth tales; yet, newer entries have managed to strike a balance between action and a feeling of purpose.
DOOM Eternal, for example, expanded upon its lore and provided the Slayer with a meaningful path through a world that was filled with destruction.
Within the context of DOOM: The Dark Ages, the narrative endeavors to investigate the origins of the Slayer in a manner that is more mythical and historical. But this endeavor does not achieve its full potential.
There are instances when the violent tone of the game is in direct opposition to the medieval fantasy flair.
The characters have a one-dimensional quality, and the language is frequently unnatural. There are a lot of cutscenes, but they are not very interesting, and a lot of players choose to ignore them entirely.
In the absence of a compelling narrative that serves to bind everything together, the overly repetitious gameplay becomes even more evident.
The players do not have a sense of investment in either the world or the task. Beyond simply completing the levels, there is no emotional pull or compelling motivation to continue moving forward in the game.
Loyal followers who pine for the glory days
Longtime supporters have expressed their dissatisfaction on the internet. A lot of people anticipated that DOOM: The Dark Ages will improve upon the advantages of the games that came before it while also introducing something fresh.
Rather, they have the impression that the game is overly cautious. Rather than being a completely new chapter in the franchise, some people have compared it to a strong expansion of the franchise.
The speed of the game is another source of frustration for players. There is a sense of repetition in the objectives throughout several levels, which makes the levels feel dragged out.
Exploration is restricted, and the rewards that can be gained from uncovering secrets or overcoming hidden tasks are insufficient. This gives the impression that the game is more of a grind than an adventure experience.
The fact that the game appears to have forgotten what made DOOM so remarkable is one of the most significant criticisms. The titles that came before it were brimming with vitality, inventiveness, and unexpectedness.
DOOM: The Dark Ages makes an effort to be more serious and cinematic, but in doing so, it misses the anarchic joy that fans have come to love about the gaming franchise.
Design Decisions That Cause Discord Within the Community
There has been a range of responses to the decision to move the action to a medieval setting, which was a daring step.
A number of fans are pleased with the shift in setting and the more serious tone. Others believe that it restricts the creative potential of the game.
There is less variation than in prior games, and the gothic architecture, dark woodlands, and grim dungeons tend to mix together after a while. Additionally, there is less variety altogether.
In addition, the designs of the weapons are a contentious issue. It is not as pleasurable to utilize them, despite the fact that they are appropriate for the time period.
Though there are variants of the original shotgun and chainsaw that are inspired by medieval times, many players claim that these versions do not have the same punch or impact.
Although they provide a touch of novelty to the action, magical talents and new tools, such as a spiked gauntlet or a spectral shield, do not significantly alter the gameplay in any significant way.
Those new gamers who are looking for a different perspective on the franchise could find these design decisions appealing.
The alterations, however, give the impression of a move away from the identity of the DOOM brand to fans who have followed the franchise for years.
What Might Have Been Done More Effectively
The promise of DOOM: The Dark Ages is widely acknowledged by many. The idea of combining medieval fantasy with demonic horror may have been intriguing if it had been handled in a different way.
In order to make the game better, the developers may have implemented new gameplay mechanisms that fundamentally altered the way fighting is conducted.
More depth may have been achieved, for instance, by placing a greater emphasis on melee combat, employing magic in inventive ways, or providing pathways that branch off from one another.
A more compelling narrative, conveyed through enhanced writing and characters with deeper significance, may have also been of use.
There is a possibility that players would have disregarded the repetitious gameplay if they had felt a stronger connection to the Slayer’s history or the realm in which he fights.
In order to break up the monotony, it would have been beneficial to have additional enemy types that exhibited distinct behaviors, as well as puzzles or side tasks.
There would have been a difference even if only minor adjustments were made, such as adding more interactive stages or dynamic environments.
The Prospects for the DOOM brand in the future
A bigger discussion over the future of the DOOM franchise has been sparked as a result of the conflicting reactions to the video game DOOM: The Dark Ages.
There is a lot of concern among fans that the series is losing its edge. They are concerned that future games may continue to prioritize aesthetics over gameplay, putting more emphasis on the game’s visuals and lore rather than on the game’s tightly controlled and entertaining action.
Some people have optimism. They are confident that the developers would pay attention to the feedback and actually take it into consideration.
The DOOM team has demonstrated in the past that they are capable of adapting to new circumstances and producing games of high quality. There is a possibility that this game will act as a lesson and lead to a subsequent iteration that is more powerful and inventive.
In conclusion, a blunder in the course of an iconic journey
Despite the fact that DOOM: The Dark Ages is not a terrible game, it is a game that many lifelong fans find to be disappointing.
Although it has a fantastic visual presentation and makes an innovative use of its location, the gameplay does not live up to the same standards. As a result of the repetitious combat, the lack of creativity, and the bad plot, it gives the impression of being a squandered opportunity.
When it comes to a series that has such a rich pedigree, fans anticipated more than simply a change of location.
They wanted new challenges, fascinating new mechanics, and that sensation of chaos and power that made DOOM renowned in the first place.
They wanted all of these things. It is possible that DOOM: The Dark Ages will be remembered more as a failure than a success unless the franchise discovers a way to bring back that enchantment.
