Revamped DOOM: The Dark Ages on Steroids!
DOOM: The Dark Ages' challenge level is being enhanced by id Software due to user feedback indicating it was too simple.
The most recent patch for the DOOM series' latest installment, DOOM: The Dark Ages, has hit hard with a fresh wave of balance adjustments, cranking up the game's difficulty to leave players panting for breath.
According to the Slayer's Club, DOOM's official website, these mods are all about dialing up the heat, as player feedback hinted the game was too cozy, even on Nightmare Mode.
Now, enemies are packing a meaner punch, health and armor pick-ups are fewer and farther between, and certain enemies wield the parry mechanic as a sharp sword, ready to lop off heads if you don't time it just right.
Here's the lowdown on the balance adjustments, straight from the Slayer's Club:
Update from 5/23/25
- Toughened Hell Knight's Arms: Slicing through a Hell Knight's arms with the Pulverizer will be a tougher task.
- Less Skullcrusher Ravager Damage: Skullcrusher Ravager damage against Bosses and Komodo has been lowered.
- Fleeting Health and Armor Drops: Certain health and armor drops will now vanish after a shorter period, especially in the [spoiler] boss fight and Atlan.
- Altered Atlan boss fight: The final boss fight in Atlan has been rebalanced.
Update from 5/22/25
After a week of scrutinizing your gameplay and hearing your feedback, we decided to kick up the overall difficulty, particularly on Nightmare mode, so a Tunable pass was made live yesterday. Specifically, we:
- Increased Enemy Threat: Damage output from various AI enemies, including the Agaddon Hunter, Cosmic Baron, Hellknight, Komodo, and Pinky Rider, has been amplified. On 250% damage (Nightmare default), missing a parry on the Agaddon Hunter's overhead slash will shatter your shield, as opposed to dealing a massive blow to it.
- Tightened Player Forgiveness: Player-forgiving systems have been made less benevolent across most 'Damage to Player' sliders, making the game a harsher landscape, particularly at higher difficulties. Several changes will impact player survivability, and their effects will grow more pronounced as the Damage Scale slider increases.
Rip, Tear, and Feel the Sting of an Upgraded Challenge
Despite a bit of lukewarm reception at launch on PC, DOOM: The Dark Ages has taken off like a demonic rocket, with over three million players piled on in just five days post-release on May 15, 2025.
This blood-soaked, adrenaline-fueled title has been savoring overtly positive critical acclaim and top Metacritic scores, with a flawless 5/5 review from my pal Samuel Tolbert, who declared that "id Software demonstrates it can still revolutionize the wheel, shaking up multiple aspects of gameplay with brutal, close-quarter action, as well as the ability to ride a dragon and stomp the earth in a giant mech."
With these recent updates, players who yearned for a taste of pure, unadulterated agony will find their wish fulfilled in one of the best Xbox Games of 2025!
DOOM: The Dark Ages is playable on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (via Battle.net, Steam, and the Xbox PC app), Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation 5.
Usher in The Doom of All Demons!
Join the first battle of the Doom Slayer's legendary crusade against the denizens of Hell in Doom: The Dark Ages.
Get it Now: Amazon (Xbox) | Best Buy (Xbox) | Walmart (Xbox) | CDKeys (Steam)
The latest update for DOOM: The Dark Ages has boosted the game's difficulty, making it more challenging even on Nightmare Mode* This update targets specific enemies, such as the Agaddon Hunter and Cosmic Baron, by increasing their damage output on the Xbox Series X and Windows PC platforms* Players looking for a tougher challenge can now enjoy DOOM: The Dark Ages, one of the best Xbox Games of 2025, on platforms like Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation 5* With over three million players and positive critical acclaim, DOOM: The Dark Ages offers a brutal, close-quarter action experience that is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon and CDKeys.
