After garnering plenty of success with both Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, the legendary developers at id Software gave the Slayer the prequel treatment in Doom: The Dark Ages. The game marks a notable shift in direction from previous series instalments, focusing quite heavily on Doomguy's backstory, yet still manages to deliver the exquisite action fans have come to expect.
Related8 Best Weapons In Doom: The Dark Ages
The most unique edition of Doom yet, Doom: The Dark Ages has a heavy focus on melee combat, and is very balanced.
Posts 3Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and after rolling credits on The Dark Ages, you may be left wondering what to play next. Luckily, there are a lot of great games that will let you chase the same power fantasy. Here are some you should check out after finishing the Slayer's medieval campaign.
Shadows Of The Damned
Metacritic: 77
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Action Third-Person Shooter Systems Released June 21, 2011 ESRB m Developer(s) Grasshopper Manufacture Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Unreal Engine 3WHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALIf you're looking for more fights against the hordes, you should check out Shadows of the Damned. The story follows Garcia Hotspur, a professional demon hunter who travels to hell in order to save his girlfriend from the Lord of Demons. He's accompanied by his sentient gun named Johnson, who provides comedic relief, mostly fodder for gags about male anatomy.
Shadows of the Damned was the brainchild of acclaimed developers Shinji Mikami and Suda51, mixing Mikami's third-person action expertise with Suda's sense of humor. It may be a bit too zany for some people, but if you can tolerate some cringey 'adult' jokes, it's more than worth your time.
Rage 2
Metacritic: 73
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FPS Systems 3.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 71/100 Critics Rec: 41% Released May 19, 2019 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Avalanche Studios, id Software Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine Apex: Avalanche Open World EngineWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONRage 2 was sold to audiences with a simple pitch: combine best-in-class shooting with Avalanche's open world development experience. While it wasn't the biggest critical success, it still delivered solid gameplay in a Far Cry-like sandbox.
The star of the show here is certainly the gunplay, which was handled by id Software themselves. The guns feel appropriately powerful, with the shotgun in particular living up to the id pedigree with its impressive damage and sound design. If you enjoyed how large Dark Ages levels are, this makes for an interesting companion piece.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Metacritic: 73
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Hack and Slash Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 64/100 Critics Rec: 29% Released September 16, 2008 ESRB T For Teen // Violence Developer(s) LucasArts Publisher(s) LucasArts Engine havok, euphoria Multiplayer Local MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONDoom games are predicated on a power fantasy, tearing enemies' limbs off and leaving piles of bodies in your wake. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed taps into similar elements, allowing players to use the dark side of the Force in ways far beyond what franchise films had previously showcased.
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PostsYou play as Starkiller, Darth Vader's secret apprentice, saddled with the responsibility of finding and killing any Jedi who survived Order 66. Along the way, you'll use the Force to grab, throw, electrocute, and even explode enemies, with upgrades making your powers yet more ludicrous. There are few Star Wars games that give you as many combat options as The Force Unleashed, making it a favorite among fans.
Vanquish
Metacritic: 84
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Action Third-Person Shooter Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 79/100 Critics Rec: 79% Released October 19, 2010 ESRB m Developer(s) Platinum Games Publisher(s) SegaWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAfter ascending to game development superstardom with Resident Evil 4, Shinji Mikami shifted his focus from survival-horror to action games. Working with PlatinumGames, he would direct Vanquish, which launched in 2010. Although it has the trappings of a stop-and-pop cover shooter, the best players make use of movement mechanics to speed the game up significantly.
You play as Sam Gideon, a man equipped with the Augmented Reaction Suit. It's fitted with boosters that allow you to slide at extreme speed, making navigating the battlefield a breeze. This, coupled with a slow-motion mechanic to help players shoot, creates an incredibly stylish combat experience filled with near-misses and clutch gunplay. The game can be finished in just six hours, but it encourages replays to master its systems.
Bulletstorm
Metacritic: 84
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First-Person Shooter Systems Released February 22, 2011 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) People Can Fly Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Unreal Engine 3 Multiplayer Local MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALid is not the only master of creative shooter design. In 2011, developer People Can Fly launched Bulletstorm, a game that asks you to dispatch enemies in the most creative ways you can think of. Each unique dispatch awards you point bonuses, incentivizing you to experiment with your abilities and the environment.
You start the game with a limited number of tools, but as you learn Bulletstorm's systems, you become capable of pulling off wild kills. For example, you can tether someone with your leash, shoot them, then kick them into a nearby spike to finish them off. The player expression in Bulletstorm is second to none, making it very popular in the FPS community.
Hotline Miami
Metacritic: 87
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Shooter Systems Released October 23, 2012 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Crude Humor Developer(s) Dennaton Games Publisher(s) Devolver Digital Engine gamemaker, phyreengine Franchise Hotline Miami PC Release Date October 23, 2012 Xbox Series X|S Release Date October 23, 2023WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONHotline Miami is a violent, drug-induced fever dream that will have you begging for more. You take on the role of Jacket, a mysterious man who goes on killing sprees after receiving messages on his answering machine. What starts as a straightforward premise slowly morphs into an existential nightmare, asking players to look within themselves and ask whether they like hurting people.
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PostsLevels are presented from a top-down perspective, giving you a good view of targets and the nearby surroundings. You'll use both melee weapons and firearms to dispense Jacket's unique brand of justice, staining the environment red in the process. Gameplay can be punishing, so expect to die a lot, but thankfully, you can hop back into the action immediately with the press of a button.
God Of War 3
Metacritic: 92
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Action Adventure Systems 10.0/10 Released March 16, 2010 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content Developer(s) Santa Monica Studio Publisher(s) Sony Engine Proprietary Engine Franchise God of WarWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONGames like Doom: The Dark Ages offer a safe and appropriate way to engage with uglier aspects of humanity, like aggression and anger. However, if your bloodlust still isn't sated by the time you've rolled credits, God of War 3 would be an excellent next choice. While the series has been taken to new heights by 2018 and Ragnarok, the original titles still offer the best insight into Kratos's destructive capabilities.
The third entry sees you finally take on the Greek pantheon, slaughtering them one by one as you ascend Mount Olympus. God of War 3 had some of the largest set-piece boss fights ever at the time of its launch, and they're still impressive today. Combat is also frenetic with plenty of gore and viscera, perfect for a Doom fan looking to get into the character action genre.
Titanfall 2
Metacritic: 89
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FPS Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 87/100 Critics Rec: 94% Released October 28, 2016 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Violence Developer(s) Respawn Entertainment Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Source Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONTitanfall 2 is often referenced as one of the best FPS campaigns of all time, and for good reason. Respawn took its exquisite shooting and paired it with thoughtful level design, creating a phenomenal adventure to play through. It also features a multiplayer suite, letting you test your skills against other players from around the world.
Fans of Atlans in The Dark Ages will feel right at home piloting a Titan. Both machines let players dish out serious punishment, and Titans even come equipped with different weapons and abilities. If you love shooters, you owe it to yourself to check out Titanfall 2.
1:09:40 NextDOOM: The Dark Ages - First Hour of Gameplay
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