Deal | "The best shooter of the year so far”: First discount for 2025 AAA title now available
With DOOM: The Dark Ages, id Software returns to its roots while exploring new ground. Following the bold reboot of DOOM (2016) and the faster, more tactical DOOM Eternal, this latest installment reimagines the iconic demon-slaying action in a dark fantasy setting. The Doom Slayer battles through a grim, medieval-inspired world full of cathedrals and bones. Released on May 20, 2025, for PC, Xbox Series X|S and PS5 under Bethesda Softworks, the game has received widespread acclaim. The German gaming magazine GamePro even named it the “best shooter of the year so far,” and PCGames (also German) has published a positive review as well.
DOOM: The Dark Ages delivers technically on all fronts. According to PCGames, the game maintains a stable 60 FPS across all platforms and runs on a new engine that seamlessly combines dark fantasy visuals with sharp, fast-paced action. Our test at Notebookcheck also confirms the outstanding performance. The level design also receives high praise, featuring visually diverse environments, smart layouts and well-timed combat encounters.
The Dark Ages introduces fresh ideas to its combat system while staying true to its roots. Alongside classic weapons like the Super Shotgun and Rocket Launcher, players now wield a shield that can block and parry enemy attacks. According to PCGames, this mechanic feels precise and adds a welcome layer of variety. The blend of old-school shooting and modern counterplay works surprisingly well, breathing new life into the demon-slaying formula. Weapon variety is another highlight, with twelve creatively designed guns that are both effective and satisfying to use, thanks to strong hit feedback and thoughtful design.
Sections involving mechs and dragons provide light, entertaining diversions, though PCGames notes they are fairly simple in design. What’s noticeably missing, however, are additional modes. DOOM: The Dark Ages includes only a single-player campaign, so players hoping for lasting appeal through community content or competitive features might be disappointed. True to series tradition, the story takes a back seat. While there are more cutscenes than before, PCGames describes the plot as shallow, the characters as forgettable and the overall narrative as unremarkable. Even the soundtrack, usually a highlight, falls short this time. The metal score is solid but doesn’t quite capture the iconic punch of DOOM’s previous soundtracks.
DOOM: The Dark Ages has received strong reviews across the board. PCGames awarded it an overall score of 8 out of 10. On Steam, the game holds a positive average rating of 86% based on around 17,000 user reviews. On Metacritic, critics gave it a Metascore of 84, while players rated it with a User Score of 7.7. Gamers can find out which GPUs run DOOM: The Dark Ages smoothly in the test on Notebookcheck.
First discount on Steam
DOOM: The Dark Ages is normally listed on Steam at its full price of $70. For those waiting for a discount due to the high price, the time is now: according to SteamDB, the game has been discounted by 25% for the first time. Until August 11, gamers can pick it up for just about $53.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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