Multiplat DOOM: The Dark Ages

[mixmastermo]

So what's the consensus here about this game? Seems like opinions are all over the place.

The consensus is you should try it and make up your own mind

My response may have not come off as very friendly- I have to remember not everyone here knows me personally or sees the irony of my humor.

The game is divisive, as was Doom Eternal. People have grown to appreciate Eternal over time though.

All anyone can tell you is that it runs well, has solid controls, and tons of action. It is a bit different than 2016 and Eternal, but I'd consider it more of an evolution than a revolution. I saw this picture earlier, found it kind of funny-




FWIW the change from Doom 2 to 3 was far more drastic than the change from 2016/Eternal to TDA, but it's different enough that you'll have to adapt strategies.

Personally, so far I think it is great and I love that you get lots of options for encounters and playing defensively. Not everyone appreciates it though. Which ever camp you land in is completely up to you.

 

[deviake]

Anyone else feel like there is so much forced hate for this game? Everywhere I go on social media people say it sucks compared to the last two or bring up its low Steam numbers. Doesn't seem like many people are enjoying it. Honestly I wish Steam would just hide that data. All it does is create toxicity. Low steam numbers also probably hurt sales as it makes people think "oh wow that game must suck, I think I'll avoid it". Every damn release now people obsess over those numbers like it's the only thing that matters.

The opposite I believe. I wanted to like it and I think a lot of other people did/do too. People are passionate about the series and the bar was very, very high. It's a big departure.

Ass Creed Shadows is doing well and the hate campaign was wild

 

[Satur9]

Oh weird. That sucks.

Well that's the thing, if there's no MP there has to be more going on (more SP modes) or at the very least the SP needs to be borderline god tier / fairly long and even the most glowing reviews I've seen don't give it that much praise. They all unanimously agree the music isn't as good. This is also the only Doom game except for Doom 64 that doesn't have MP.

2016 and Eternal didn't simply have multiplayer; 2016 also had a map maker and Eternal had Horde Mode, I beat the SP on both multiple times and any review I've seen has said the SP in this is fairly easy for vets. Edit: Eternal also had the Invasion mechanic for campaign.

I like RPGs and shooters, dunno if I'd say one more than the other, my point is simply that this is objectively less game than other recent triple AAA games for more money and it's also less game than the last two in the series for more money. That's an expensive downgrade. Their reasoning was to focus on the SP but pretty much everyone says the story is lame and no one gushes about the mech and dragon sections. Any review I've seen - whether praising or more critical of the game - has overlap on the things they don't like. I feel strongly about it because of my love for the last two games and how high they set the bar. It's really frustrating as a big fan to go from outstanding games to a good game that's more expensive with less features and a fairly divided opinion on the quality of the new combat mechanics.

All very good points. I now understand exactly what you mean.

It is hard to sometimes recognize and note these things when you have gamepass, and every game basically costs the same(games on that service, at least).

 

[KidBaize]

Got 100% last night on UV so I'll do NM next. My biggest gripe remains the slowmo but otherwise I really like the game and find the combat quite addictive. The eldritch levels were awesome and proved id could make a mean Quake reboot.

 

[Dizzy]

 

[KaNesDeath]

At least id software maintains some integrity by not posting that.

 

[method115]

At least id software maintains some integrity by not posting that.

I wont lie it is fascinating watching some companies tweet out there actual sales data and some tweeting player engagement.

 

[mixmastermo]

At least id software maintains some integrity by not posting that.

Are you referring to the distinction between sales and players? Players would include gamepass subscribers

 

[Dizzy]

At least id software maintains some integrity by not posting that.

But Steam numbers!

 

[Dizzy]

I wont lie it is fascinating watching some companies tweet out there actual sales data and some tweeting player engagement.

I’m pretty sure the only companies that I’ve seen talk about engagement are ones that have subscription models. In that case why wouldn’t they include subscriber numbers?

 

[Dizzy]

Wrapped up the last mission today, loved it. The game seriously steps up in the second half. The atmosphere, the combat, the soundtrack, all seemed to find their footing as the game progressed and led to some pretty incredible experiences.

I think the emphasis really was on freedom, of course you have to learn the mechanics but how you approach everything is much more open ended than the last two titles where you had to rely pretty heavily on weapon combos at higher difficulties.

It is a lot more accessible not just from that perspective but definitely the challenge. I felt like an unstoppable killing machine but almost to a fault at times. Too many smaller encounters felt completely trivial. They have to throw a serious amount of heavy shit at you to truly feel like you’re in danger. That said, the combat is a fucking blast still.

The story is whatever but I actually liked the Prince.

As I mentioned earlier the soundtrack is seriously good but it rarely has enough time to do its thing. I would recommend turning the volume up to 100 as well.

Complaints are pretty minor and I think it holds up well in the modern trilogy. I’d put it about on par with 2016 and solidly behind Eternal. Overall it was an easy 8.5-9/10 for me.

 

[KaNesDeath]

Are you referring to the distinction between sales and players? Players would include gamepass subscribers

Thats the point. Eternal became available on Gamepass six months after release. Dark Ages was available on Gamepass at release.

But Steam numbers!

Total registered players is something a live service game developer brags about.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

Won’t get much of a chance to play until after next Wednesday. Going camping with my son this weekend and his Cub Scout troop, then my Mom’s coming to stay with my family for a few days for my 40th next Tuesday. Our guest room is in the basement where I have my PS5 so after she goes home Wednesday I’ll try to get in some serious play time.

 

[Zazen]

I guess this franchise is nowhere near as popular as I thought. It a household name and still those numbers are pretty bad. Keep in mind FFXVI which is a franchise way past its prime did 3 million sales in its first week AND as an exclusive. These aren’t even sales. They’re counting people who play for 30 minutes on Gamepass. They bragged about HiFi Rush hitting one million players and we all know how that turned out. I guess what I’m getting at is once a company brags about engagement over sales it means it probably did not meet expectations.

 

[Dizzy]

I guess this franchise is nowhere near as popular as I thought. It a household name and still those numbers are pretty bad. Keep in mind FFXVI which is a franchise way past its prime did 3 million sales in its first week AND as an exclusive. These aren’t even sales. They’re counting people who play for 30 minutes on Gamepass. They bragged about HiFi Rush hitting one million players and we all know how that turned out. I guess what I’m getting at is once a company brags about engagement over sales it means it probably did not meet expectations.

Bethesda doesn’t release sales figures but no, I don’t think Doom is anywhere near as popular Final Fantasy lol. That’s massive worldwide appeal.

 

[Concrete]

 

[Dizzy]

Going back and getting Mastery on all the weapons and a couple of secrets to 100%. Feels like I missed out not utilizing as many as I did. Every weapon is viable. I’m even using the maxed out starter shotgun and it’s absolutely melting end game demons.

 

[Zazen]

Bethesda doesn’t release sales figures but no, I don’t think Doom is anywhere near as popular Final Fantasy lol. That’s massive worldwide appeal.

That’s weird because it’s had a live action movie. People like Joe Rogan mention it on podcasts. It seems to have had a bigger cultural impact in the USA at least. I thought it would sell 2 million or so in the first week or so at the very least.

 

[Chubz]

I guess this franchise is nowhere near as popular as I thought. It a household name and still those numbers are pretty bad. Keep in mind FFXVI which is a franchise way past its prime did 3 million sales in its first week AND as an exclusive. These aren’t even sales. They’re counting people who play for 30 minutes on Gamepass. They bragged about HiFi Rush hitting one million players and we all know how that turned out. I guess what I’m getting at is once a company brags about engagement over sales it means it probably did not meet expectations.

None of what you just said changes the fact that it hit 3 million players way faster than Eternal did. That's a highly impressive statistic no matter how you try and spin it. Sales would be interesting to know for sure, but they're also going to be skewed by the fact that loads of people are playing it through Game Pass, which means no 'direct' sales figures.

 

[Zazen]

Dude where the fuck are the boss fights in this game? I’m like 13 hours in beginning chapter 14 and haven’t had a single one.