While Doom: The Dark Ages introduces new mechanics and medieval flair, its expanded melee arsenal honors the franchise’s legacy with brutal close-range combat options and deep customization.
Even with its bold new direction, Doom: The Dark Ages stays true to the franchise’s modern formula — fast, furious, and weapon-heavy. From iconic demon-slaying firepower to fresh enemies and mechanics, the game delivers that familiar loop of adrenaline-pumping action. That said, some fans are a bit torn over the game’s heavy focus on its new parry system. But despite the chatter, the core gameplay still hits hard — especially with melee.
A Medieval Setting That Feels Right at Home
Set in the war-torn world of Argent D’Nur, The Dark Ages leans fully into its medieval theme. The ancient, brutal vibe not only shows up in the architecture and world-building, but also in the game’s arsenal. You’ll still find ranged weapons that pack a punch, but it’s melee that really steals the spotlight this time around.
This isn’t just a cosmetic switch-up. The Dark Ages puts melee front and center in a way that feels natural — especially considering Doom’s long-standing love affair with up-close carnage.
Melee’s Always Been in Doom’s Blood
Let’s not forget, melee has always had a home in Doom. Whether it was bare-knuckle brawling when ammo ran out or revving up the iconic chainsaw, getting face-to-face with demons was never just a last resort — it was part of the fun. And who could forget the Berserk power-up? One punch and demons turned to mush.
Modern Doom kept that tradition alive with tools like Blood Punch and the Crucible sword in Doom Eternal. The Dark Ages takes that concept and runs with it — even if it ditches the fan-favorite Glory Kills, which are noticeably missing this time around.
The Shield Saw and Friends: A Melee Arsenal Worth Mastering
What The Dark Ages lacks in cinematic kills, it makes up for in sheer variety and depth when it comes to melee options. The Shield Saw is the headline weapon here — it’s your main tool for charging enemies, cutting through swarms, and even stunning foes by tossing it like a deadly boomerang. It’s powerful, satisfying, and seriously versatile.
As you play, you’ll unlock and choose between other melee beasts like the Power Gauntlet, the Flail, and eventually, the Dreadmace. Each weapon feels unique and comes with a tree of upgrades, letting you decide what fits your combat style best. Whether you’re looking to stagger enemies, knock them back, or just absolutely obliterate them, there’s a melee weapon for that.
Parry Like a Pro, or Go All In With Upgrades
Parrying plays a bigger role in this entry than it has in past Doom titles, but there’s a lot of flexibility in how you use it. The Shield has its own rune upgrade system that changes how parries work — giving you a bit more tactical freedom depending on how you want to approach combat.
And yes, ranged weapons still get love in The Dark Ages, but it’s clear the devs wanted melee to shine brighter than ever. The sheer amount of choice and customization in this game is a clear nod to Doom’s bloody past — one that started with fists and chainsaws and has evolved into a full-blown melee playground.
In short, Doom: The Dark Ages doesn’t just respect the franchise’s melee roots — it celebrates them. If you like your demon-slaying loud, brutal, and up close, this is the Doom you’ve been waiting for.
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