10 Things We Didn't Know You Could Do in Doom: The Dark Ages
Welcome to the blood-soaked, demon-slaying medieval fever dream that is Doom: The Dark Ages. In this latest installment, the Doom Slayer is hurled back in time to a grimdark fantasy realm. As a prequel, it ups the brutality—not just with enemies, but with your own arsenal.
Sure, that’s nothing new for Doom, and neither is the Middle Ages (they’re, uh, historically old). But the hidden mechanics we’re covering today? Those are fresh.
Hey folks, Falcon here, and today on Game Ranks: 10 mind-blowing things you had no idea you could do in Doom: The Dark Ages.
10. Disarm Demons (Literally)
Dismembering monsters has been a staple since Doom 2016, but The Dark Ages takes it further. Certain enemies can be stripped of both arms—leaving them helpless, staring at you like a kicked puppy.
Picture a Mancubus or Hell Knight frozen in place, arms gone, just… waiting. No attacks, no rage—just existential demon despair. Brutal? Yes. Hilarious? Absolutely.
9. Enemies Can’t Trigger Red Barrels
In most games, standing near explosive barrels is a death wish. Not here. Enemy fire will not detonate them—no matter how many shots land.
It’s a small mercy, given how devastating barrels are. But watch out: your shots still blow them sky-high.
8. Free Slow-Mo on Demand
Need to line up a perfect shot or just flex your cinematic flair? Slow-mo is your friend. Activate it via:
- The weapon wheel
- Charging the shield throw
- Upgrades like the Impaler’s aiming assist
Pro tip: Holding the shield-throw button lets you freely slow time—no cooldown, no restrictions.
7. Ground Pounds Work Anywhere
Falling onto enemies crushes them—no surprise. But the game doesn’t tell you how easy it is to trigger. Even tiny ledges (think: a single step up) count as "high enough" for a shockwave.
Is it practical? Not really. Is it fun to Mario-stomp demons? Yes.
6. Secret Glory Kills Return
Miss the visceral glory kills from Eternal? They’re hiding in plain sight. Stun an enemy, then jump before executing them with the Shield Saw—voilà, a brutal two-piece animation.
No tutorial, no hints. Just a gnarly callback for fans.
5. Crank the Game Speed to 150%
The settings menu lets you tweak game speed up to 150%. At max, it’s a chaotic, near-unplayable mess—dialogue becomes chipmunk gibberish, and enemies move like they’re on crack.
For Eternal purists, ~120% feels closer to that game’s pace. But 150%? That’s for masochists and speedrunners.
4. There’s a Skeleton… With a Cape
Easter eggs are rarer here than in Eternal, but they’re weirder. Case in point: In Mission 4, a cape-clad skeleton lurks in a shadowy corner.
No explanation. No lore. Just a bony dude in a fabulous blue cloak. (Possible Duke Nukem meme? We may never know.)
3. Destroy Everything
The environments are stupidly destructible. Tables, carts, iron maidens — even walls crumble under mech fists or gunfire.
Piloting a mech? It’s a one-demon wrecking crew. Pure, unadulterated chaos.
2. Use the Classic Doomguy Face
Buried in settings: an option to swap the HUD portrait for the OG pixelated Doomguy. His eyes dart around, his face grimaces—just like 1993.
Utterly pointless. Utterly perfect.
1. Find the Dev Team’s Wanted Posters
Early in the game, check the alleyway before the burning pub. Hidden among posters are real-life ID Software devs—including director Hugo Martin as a pirate.
Classic FPS Easter egg energy. Criminals? Legends? Both.