DOOM Eternal still holds the player record, and DOOM The Dark Ages didn’t even come close. On Steam, the medieval twist failed to match the numbers of its predecessors: only 31,470 peak players at launch on May 17, compared to nearly 105,000 for Eternal, and even DOOM 2016 outperformed it.

DOOM The Dark Ages aimed to reinvent the formula by dragging the Slayer into a dark medieval world. Melee combat plays a central role this time, with a flail and shield being crucial to survive waves of demons. Players note the environments are wider and more open, allowing for different strategies and pacing.

A Weak Start on Steam

Despite releasing five years after DOOM Eternal, the new entry didn’t replicate its launch success. SteamDB reports that on May 17, The Dark Ages peaked at 31,470 concurrent players, while Eternal debuted with nearly 105,000. The current market conditions, however, are very different from 2020.

The game’s price is a major factor: at €79.99 on Steam, it’s one of the most expensive DOOM titles to date. Moreover, DOOM The Dark Ages launched day-one on Xbox Game Pass, which led many players to choose the subscription over buying it outright. Let’s not forget DOOM Eternal launched during global COVID lockdowns, when millions were stuck at home looking for something to play.

Not a Total Loss

There’s still hope for DOOM The Dark Ages. The developers have confirmed an upcoming expansion, and future patches will likely improve the experience. While it didn’t surpass Eternal, the game was still well received—holding an 86% positive rating on Steam and solid Metacritic scores. id Software clearly stayed true to the DOOM formula, just set in a new era. Whether it will be remembered as one of the greats in the franchise remains to be seen.

Source: 3djuegos