Doom: The Dark Ages. A Brutal Dance Between Innovation and Tradition

In the vast panorama of first-person shooters, there are franchises that have defined eras, and " Doom " is undoubtedly among them. With "Doom: The Dark Ages ", id Software once again takes you to hell , offering an experience that not only pays homage to the roots of the saga, but also manages to elevate it with ideas that once again create a brutal, adrenaline-filled and spectacular atmosphere.

The Doom saga represents a milestone in video game history : a revolution in the way we perceive shooters and digital violence. A brutal dance that still knows how to reinvent itself while maintaining its soul. It's difficult today, after having split a demon in half with a chainsaw shield, to imagine what else they could invent.

With a surprising length (22 missions that extend over 20 hours of gameplay, not counting the time required to uncover all the secrets), this title clearly surpasses its predecessors in size, which are also surpassed in terms of the architecture of the levels , which often open up and go beyond the labyrinthine conception of the series to leave us the freedom to tackle some areas as if they were open spaces at our disposal, true amusement parks of destruction.

"Doom: The Dark Ages" is not limited to simple shooting and running , making every kill essential to maintaining high health and armor levels, but introduces new mechanics that significantly change the classic formula. The chainsaw shield is essential to the whole new dynamic of blocking and shield throwing that are the basis of this chapter.

The shield not only limits the damage of projectiles, but it also serves to parry the blows of the larger monsters and unleash powerful shockwaves that stun them just enough to hit them with fists or flails. Some projectiles from the larger enemies can be reflected back at the sender and there are moments in which this ballet of exchange with increasingly intricate trajectories of shots is a bit reminiscent of certain old-style shooters from the arcade era.

And then of course the shield can be thrown, as if we were a darker, meaner version of Captain America who eliminates demonic hordes by bouncing it off shields and armor, but if you want it can also be useful for activating remote switches or breaking through walls.

But Doomslayer doesn't live by melee alone: ​​the renewed arsenal refreshes old classics like the rocket launcher, the plasma rifle and the double-barreled shotgun, now equipped with modifications that considerably expand the tactical range available to the player. Particularly interesting is the possibility of using the nail gun in sniper or automatic mode, introducing strategic variability. Obviously, everything can be improved and made even more lethal by collecting gold bars and other objects around to unlock a higher rate of fire or the ability to set fire to the targets hit.

The sections with mechs and dragons occasionally break the rhythm. Driving giant mechs through cities destroying buildings and armored vehicles offers an overwhelming sense of power, as if it weren't already a game in which demons are afraid of us and not vice versa. Each successful attack fills a special bar that allows for devastating moves, adding dynamism and strategy to the fights. The dragons, with their aerial combat , mid-air dodges and spectacular eliminations against enemy flying ships, introduce a totally new gameplay dynamic for the genre, which may not appeal to those looking only for first-person action, but in their own way they vary the gameplay a bit and allow you to catch your breath.

Narratively, "Doom: The Dark Ages" is the usual hodgepodge of pretexts to make us fight that we know well . If anything, it's all even more gothic and dark than the past, with a balance between fantasy and science fiction that vaguely recalls the worlds of Warhammer 40,000. The result is an engaging and dark story in which every interlude aims to do one thing: make you feel like the deadliest and angriest thing on the battlefield. And that's just fine.

"Doom: The Dark Ages" is the perfect demonstration of how a historic franchise can evolve while remaining true to itself. Doom defined the rules of the modern FPS and continues to rewrite them. Id Software has not only created another chapter in the saga, but has created a synthesis of innovation and nostalgia that celebrates the culture of video games itself.

Furthermore, the title stands out for its great attention to accessibility : with various difficulty settings, the game is suitable for both experienced players and newcomers, allowing everyone to explore the Doom universe with the right level of challenge.

Where cinema and literature can only show heroes and monsters, video games truly allow you to embody them. Doom has always understood this fundamental point, and "Doom: The Dark Ages" reaffirms it forcefully. Every shot fired, every parry executed, every monster felled is a moment experienced firsthand, a physical and mental participation that makes the game not just entertainment, but an immersive and visceral narrative.

In conclusion, "Doom: The Dark Ages" is one of the titles of the year . While it rests on the solid foundations of its predecessors, it streamlines the less interesting aspects of the previous title and introduces new mechanics that will force even the most experienced player to new approaches. A game that is not only entertaining, but also manages to innovate with courage, demonstrating that even a classic can find new and fascinating directions. A must-have for any fan of the genre.