DOOM: The Dark Ages
NZ release: 04 February 2025
Graphic violence and horror Rated on: 15 May 2025
DOOM: The Dark Ages video game
What’s it about?
Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to Doom (2016) that follows the rise of the series' protagonist, the Doom Slayer, as he becomes the last hope of a kingdom fighting against the forces of Hell in a techno-medieval setting.
The facts
- Directed by Hugo Martin
- Developer id Software
- English language
- Prequel to the franchise reboot DOOM (2016) which was also rated R16
- First-person shooter style game
Why did it get this rating?
This game was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a gothic fantasy and science fiction first-person shooter game which also features storylines that play through in-game events and dramatic cut away scenes as well as hidden lore items.
Graphic violence
As a first-person shooter game there is a significant amount of violence in the gameplay. It features violence that inflicts serious physical harm that is gory and bloody.
There is a mix of gothic fantasy and science fiction the game setting, and unlike previous games in the DOOM franchise reboot the weapons are more gothic fantasy. An example of the weapons include:
- Stake launchers
- Bone-based machineguns
- A shield with chainsaw-like blades
Deaths are gruesome, and there is a nearly constant stream of bloody and good. Once enemies are heavily damaged, they become stunned, allowing players to finish them off with a finishing move (including decapitation, and bisecting a hulking demon). The gothic setting and clearly fantastical monsters, along with the bright arcade-like resources and status effects reduce the impact of the gore.
Horror
Like earlier games DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, the demonic enemies would be at home on the cover of a 1980s metal album. They vary from lithe monsters which attack with energy blasts, teeth and claws, to massive creatures made of flesh and metal.
Various areas tell visual stories of demonic invasions, battles, and the horrors of hell. The hell levels are particularly gruesome with rotting bodies left impaled on stakes or tied to racks, and flayed skins are found stretched out to dry.
These scenes are not a significant part of the game play as players will be focused on combat. This horror imagery is likely to shock and disturb younger audiences.
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Further information
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