Kinda Funny Gamescast: Doom: The Dark Ages Review – Detailed Summary

Introduction

In the May 9, 2025 episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast, hosts Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and Andy Cortez delve deep into their review of Doom: The Dark Ages. Skipping the usual advertisements and introductory banter, the conversation centers on the latest installment in the iconic first-person shooter franchise, exploring its gameplay mechanics, visual and audio design, difficulty settings, and overall impact within the gaming landscape.

Overview of Doom: The Dark Ages

Doom: The Dark Ages serves as a prequel to the critically acclaimed Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020). It reimagines the Doom Slayer in a medieval war against Hell, utilizing the advanced ID Tech 8 engine to deliver an intense, action-packed experience. The game currently boasts an impressive 85 on Metacritic, positioning it as a strong entry in the series.

Hosts' Reviews

• Greg Miller
  Greg praises the game for its "comforting" return to a more grounded Doom Slayer, focusing on heavy combat without the complex parkour elements introduced in Doom Eternal. He appreciates the streamlined systems for health and ammo, stating, "You are able to get health and ammo pretty frequently in this game," which enhances the overall gameplay fluidity (09:00).

• Blessing Adeoye Jr.
  Blessing highlights the game's approachability, noting its balance between depth and accessibility. He mentions, "If you're somebody who's looking for more of that experience, I think it gets the job done in a really good way," giving it an 8.5 out of 10 (10:56). Despite enjoying the gameplay, Blessing criticizes the story, feeling it fails to engage him fully.

• Paris Lily
  Paris offers a slightly higher score of 9, emphasizing the game's visual excellence and replayability. She remarks, "I really liked it... it's a lot of gosh darn fun," appreciating the game's customization options and secret areas that encourage multiple playthroughs (14:08).

• Andy Cortez
  Andy shares his enthusiasm for the game's mechanics and visual fidelity, even though he hasn't completed it yet. He praises the game's support for various difficulty levels and accessibility options, stating, "This is just, let's just give you a sick ass shooter with awesome action," and rates it between 8.5 and 9 (16:35).

Positive Aspects

• Gameplay Mechanics
  The introduction of the shield and parry system is lauded as a significant enhancement, adding strategic depth to combat. Greg notes, "I like the ways in which they're finding ways to make it slightly different," while Blessing appreciates the shield's functionality in enemy management (43:32).

• Visuals and Technology
  The use of ID Tech 8 brings stunning visuals, with advanced lighting and detailed environments. Paris emphasizes the game's visual appeal on PC, especially with high-end setups: "Playing that thing at 4K... it's nuts" (52:35). Greg further compliments the seamless transitions in cutscenes, stating, "This was so flawless from shot to shot" (58:57).

• Weaponry and Upgrades
  Hosts enjoyed the diverse arsenal and the upgrade paths available. Andy highlights the satisfaction of upgrading weapons like the Skull Crusher and plasma guns, enhancing both functionality and fun: "The upgrade I wanted to mention was on the second plasma gun... stunning" (47:54).

Negative Aspects

• Audio Mixing
  A recurring critique is the audio mixing, which several hosts found lacking. Andy expresses frustration, saying, "The audio mixing in this game is real, real bad" (30:01). Both Greg and Blessing agree, noting specific issues with music volume and sound effects overlapping.

• Difficulty Levels
  While Doom: The Dark Ages offers multiple difficulty settings, the hosts feel the default levels are too easy, especially for experienced players. Greg mentions, "On the default difficulty, I'm parrying everything," suggesting that the game may not challenge veterans sufficiently (36:27).

• Story and Narrative
  The narrative depth received mixed reviews. Blessing criticizes the story for being too "in the weeds," making it hard to connect with the game's universe: "It feels like intrusive in some moments" (21:59). Paris echoes this sentiment, finding the story less engaging compared to the core gameplay (21:59).

Comparison to Previous Doom Titles

The hosts draw comparisons to Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, noting that Doom: The Dark Ages feels like a step back in terms of mobility but succeeds in offering a more tank-like Doom Slayer. Greg reminisces about the "comforting" gameplay of earlier titles, while Andy appreciates the balance between old and new mechanics: "They are still Doom" (24:16).

Weapons and Upgrades

A significant highlight is the game's weapon system, offering various upgrades that cater to different playstyles. Greg praises the Super Shotgun as a "classic" and enjoys experimenting with weapon variants. Blessing and Andy also appreciate the strategic depth provided by weapon upgrades, enhancing combat efficiency and enjoyment (42:07).

Level Design and Map

The level design receives commendation for its intricacy and the inclusion of secret areas that promote exploration. Blessing appreciates the map's improvement over previous titles, allowing for thorough exploration and completion of secrets: "It allows me to upgrade everything and go in there and actually find a lot of secrets" (52:08). However, Greg notes that some segments, like mech and dragon sections, feel overly simplistic compared to the main gameplay (57:31).

Final Ratings and Recommendations

Overall, the hosts recommend Doom: The Dark Ages as a strong addition to the franchise. Paris gives it a 9 out of 10, Blessing an 8.5, Andy between 8.5 and 9, and Greg an 8, collectively acknowledging the game's strengths in gameplay and visuals while addressing areas for improvement in audio and difficulty balancing. They unanimously agree it is an "easy recommendation" for fans of the series and first-person shooters in general.

Future Content and Closing Thoughts

Looking forward, the hosts express excitement for potential post-launch content, such as DLCs and new game modes, drawing parallels to the extensive support Doom Eternal received. They also touch upon the possibility of innovative features like a horde mode, which could further enhance replayability and enjoyment.

Notable Quotes

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. (09:00): "I really, really dug this game. This is probably the best out of the three in terms of the gameplay and the way that it feels."

• Paris Lily (14:08): "I really liked the music in it as well. I think from a visual standpoint it looks fantastic on id take 8."

• Andy Cortez (16:35): "This is just, let's just give you a sick ass shooter with awesome action, with fun mechanics."

• Greg Miller (58:57): "This was so flawless from shot to shot. I was really blown away by the technical level."

Conclusion

The Kinda Funny Gamescast episode provides a comprehensive and insightful review of Doom: The Dark Ages, balancing praise for its engaging gameplay and stunning visuals with constructive criticism on audio mixing and difficulty settings. The hosts' passionate discussions and varied perspectives offer potential players a detailed understanding of what to expect, making it a valuable listen for both longtime fans and newcomers to the Doom series.