![Talking Point: Will DOOM: The Dark Ages Become Id's Best Modern DOOM Game?](https://images.purexbox.com/2473e5ae7ba2e/talking-point-will-doom-the-dark-ages-become-ids-best-modern-doom-game.900x.jpg)
Xbox has planted a major AAA flag in early 2025 with its May release date for DOOM: The Dark Ages, and after that amazing Developer Direct showcase, we're now wondering how far id Software can go with its next title.
Ever since Bethesda's FPS experts rebooted the DOOM franchise back in 2016, we've absolutely loved the series' new direction. That first Xbox One title almost reinvented the shooter after years of brown colour palettes and too much cover-taking - it was a breath of fresh air and is still one of the tightest shooters of the last generation.
Following that up with DOOM Eternal was always going to be tough, but somehow, id Software managed it. To this day, we still struggle to decide which of these two FPS games is best - but the fact that Eternal even matched the 2016 title is a massive achievement. The addition of a strong focus on platforming mixed things up in a big way, delivering what felt like a really fresh experience in 2020.
Fast forward five years, and we're mere months away from DOOM: The Dark Ages gracing the Xbox Game Pass library this May, and it's looking very good so far. The question is, does it have a chance at being the best DOOM game since that 2016 reboot? Or, will the Bethesda studio struggle to match the lofty heights of its last two titles?
Which Is The Better DOOM Game? (135 votes)
- DOOM (2016)
- DOOM Eternal
Will DOOM: The Dark Ages Become The Best Of The Three? (162 votes)
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
Engage in our polls up above and tell us what you think in the comments!
Comments 25
It will come down to your movement preference. Do you prefer the run and gun of 2016, the platforming of eternal, or the tank mentality of dark ages?
DOOM 2016 was excellent. DOOM Eternal was even better. I've every hope that DOOM TDA will top both predecessors. id just know how to smash it.
I think so, personally I prefer Doom as a more grounded shooting experience than jumping and swinging around like Eternal, so Doom 2016 is the the better of the 2 so far for me. This looks to be even better from everything we've seen so far amd arguably even closer to what the original Doom games were with enemies everywhere instead of walled off combat zones.
Add in the giant mecha Doom guy amd the Panzer Dragoon style gameplay and this is looking exceptional and certainly my most anticipated game this year
I’m ok with if it does become the best modern Doom game, the other two are phenomenal.
Eternal might be a better game, but not a better Doom than 2016. Dark Ages looks more grounded and, perhaps, it will surpass both.
I love the fact they've changed up the play styles across all 3 modern games.
It kind of reminds me how they aimed for something completely different with Doom 3 compared to the first two games.
@SMJ Doom 3 felt more survival horror to me, if you get what I mean?
@Kaloudz Exactly. I like the fact they're not afraid to mix things up with their big franchises.
@Kaloudz
It is survival horror and it was very contentious at the time of release.
Many fans were upset that they’d gone away from the Doom formula but many loved it (including me)
@Hurblyburbly Like you, I actually really enjoyed it too. Did you ever see footage of that cancelled Doom game that was nearly Doom 4?
@SMJ Exactly, which imo is something that should absolutely be embraced.
I hope the tank like battles mean this will be more 2016 than Eternal.
It took me so long to get into Eternal. It is still a pretty great game but too contrived. So many different ways you have to kill things for power ups and the Marauders are almost quick time lame in how you beat them.
Doom 2016 is one of my favourite games ever - definitely top 10 so Dark Ages has a lot to live up to in my eyes!
@SMJ @Kaloudz @Hurblyburbly i really enjoyed it too.
I played it quite recently and while it is ugly as hell and is quite cheap in enemy placement I like how much of Doom 2016 I could see in it - like a prototype game.
After watching the Dev_Direct with that frankly awesome Doom TDA gameplay I finally sat down to play Doom 2016 and I’m soooo stupid for not playing it before lol, I tried several times but there was always something going on and couldn’t pass from the third mission, now I’m about to finish it and move on to Eternal but getting a bit nervous as everyone say Eternal is frustrating compared to 2016 which so far has been amazing.
@IOI it is still worth playing in my opinion but it has a lot of elements to the gameplay which in my view start to feel fiddly.
The platforming in particular is probably over played.
Some love it though and would say it improves on everything. I didn't like the season pass content though.
@Isolte I first played Doom 3 on the original Xbox and was absolutely blown away by the technical achievement of it. Nothing on any console was as impressive at that point.
And I loved the jump scare horror route they took.
Doom 3 will always be peak Doom for me. The reboot and Eternal feel like push button for quicktime gory kills. Mortal Kombat has same issue. Its boring. I finished Doom 2016 but couldn’t stand Doom Eternal.
I’m super excited for Dark Ages. It looks bad ass but I am skeptical about it surpassing Eternal. It seems like they put an emphasis on dumbing down the controls but I enjoyed the mechanical complexity of Eternal and that the level design required you to learn and utilize your full kit in higher difficulties.
Regarding to "Will DOOM: The Dark Ages Become id's Best Modern DOOM Game?" question;
We hope so...
I am saying that as a most distant person to the genre.
Because, better games needed more than ever in this current era.
I am more of a souls, frp, arpg and jrpg person but, as I stated above, "we need better games more than ever been".
Loved the 2016 Doom but the first-person platforming in Doom Eternal didn't really click with me; am hopeful the Dark Ages will be the best of them all, esp with all focus on the single-player experience.
I don't know if it will be the best modern Doom, but it surely impressed me much while watching on the Direct.
@Isolte
well with Doom 3, in my opinion, they explored the Horror (and Fear), and indeed it was a great achievement in terms of atmosphere and aesthetic.
but usually Doom is more about the violence and gore.
@Medic_alert I played it not too long back too and it's not aged very well I have to agree lol. Those character eyes and mouths O_o
The "curse of 3" says no.
There are exceptions to the curse, of course...
Doom 2016 was great, but eternal was a bonafied masterpiece. Best campaign, best platforming, weapon swat was GODLIKE, difficulty was finely tune, last year-we got mod support, horde mode, amazing challenges, secrets well placed. Doom eternal is my #1 doom game of all time including the originals. However, I believe doom the dark ages wont surpass it due to the fluidity in combat that eternal gave us and its platforming via the hookshot. It will be #2 no doubt. Day one play on game pass
DOOM since 2016 has just been so damn good. I don't wanna jinx this game and will just avoid all reviews and previews of it so I can enjoy some good ol fashioned... RIP AND TEAR 👹🗡️
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