Even our favorite franchises don't always live up to the hype they inspire. But Doom: The Dark Ages fulfills its demon-killing promises, becoming the inaugural winner of our Game of the Month Award. So many things happen during a calendar year that when we look back, it's easy to miss some of it. I thought it was a good idea to take stock monthly, making it far easier when December hits and we start talking Game of the Year.
The decision to remove much of the mobility from Doom Eternal and turn the Slayer into an iron tank was a risky one, but most critics and players feel it paid off. Our own Keith Langston talks about some of the changes here:
"The game takes place in a medieval kingdom, so it's got all the classic vibes of a great fantasy game. But it also has futuristic sci-fi elements like spaceships and teleportation. Watching a spacecraft fly over a castle with dragons in the background is something you don't see very often, but Doom: The Dark Ages somehow made it all fit together perfectly, creating a unique and fun setting that really sets the game apart.
"I also really loved that, despite its medieval setting, the game feels way more modern than other Doom entries." You can read Keith's full review of Doom: The Dark Ages right here.
When I was a tiny gamer growing up, there were no shortage of adults to tell me video games were a passing fad. I'll admit, even I didn't expect to be playing and writing about Doom sequels into a whole new century, but that's the kind of impact the franchise has had.
Battling demons and looking like an absolute badass while doing it never truly goes out of style. I'm looking forward to playing and writing about Doom until we get Doom: The Pandemic Ages in 20 years.