Compare Doom: The Dark Ages vs Split Fiction

Accessibility options receive strong praise, including difficulty sliders, speed tuning, parry timing, remapping, UI scaling, colors, and other customization.

Accessibility receives positive notice for enemy-damage toggles, checkpoint skipping, camera help, and QuickTime-event options, though one review found a QTE option bug.

Age appropriateness is supported by T-rated content with some language, blood, darker themes, and relationship-testing difficulty.

Shooting precision is supported by reviewers who describe the gunplay as tight and satisfying, especially alongside melee and shield systems.

Animation quality is generally positive in glory kills and cutscenes, but one reviewer flags dragon animation weight as off.

Animation quality is supported mainly by technical praise that characters look good and animate effectively.

Art direction is praised for distinctive medieval/dark-fantasy identity, though at least one critic finds the shift less Doom-like.

Art direction is a standout, with repeated praise for gorgeous, varied, imaginative environments across sci-fi and fantasy spaces.

Atmosphere is praised for moody color, dark fantasy scenery, and distinctive hellish/medieval tone.

Atmosphere is colorful, kinetic, and entertaining, helped by broad genre shifts and energetic presentation.

Boss design is mixed: shielded leaders and bosses add structure, but some reviewers call them missed opportunities or overly derivative.

Bosses are generally imaginative, cooperative, and memorable, though some fights can include cheap deaths or frustration.

Bug frequency is mixed: several reviewers encountered glitches or unclear damage/deaths, while another reported no bugs.

Bug frequency is generally low but not absent, with reviews citing clipping, small snags, and one serious QuickTime-event bug.

Camera behavior is mostly positive, with one reviewer praising perfect tracking and another noting some perspective shifts made play harder.

Character development is mixed-positive, with some reviewers praising Mio and Zoe’s arc while others found it slow, predictable, or limited.

Checkpoint design is mixed, with reviewers noting checkpoints can help but also citing restart/checkpoint irritation.

Checkpoints and respawns are a clear strength, frequently described as generous, instant, and frustration-reducing.

Co-op experience is absent, with one reviewer specifically lamenting the lack of co-op or multiplayer.

Co-op experience is the strongest attribute, with broad agreement that communication, teamwork, and shared surprise are the heart of the game.

Combat receives the broadest praise: most reviewers find the parry-heavy, close-quarters fighting satisfying, powerful, and fresh, with a minority missing the older acrobatic style.

Combat is varied and generally enjoyable, using swords, guns, shooter sections, and action-platforming rather than one fixed battle style.

Content variety is strong in the campaign’s weapons, chapters, secrets, and set pieces, even if some nonstandard sections are less loved.

Content variety is one of the strongest consensus points, with constant shifts across genres, perspectives, mechanics, side stories, and set pieces.

Controls are described as responsive and easy to execute once learned, with several reviewers calling out smooth feel even in demanding encounters.

Controls are generally responsive and intuitive, with only platform-specific or sequence-specific issues appearing in a few reviews.

The core loop is repeatedly described as shield, melee, shooting, and resource recovery working together, though some reviewers feel it becomes more prescriptive than Eternal.

The core loop is built around constant cooperative reinvention, with reviewers praising the way new tools and surprises arrive before old ideas grow stale.

Couch co-op quality is repeatedly praised, with local play, shared screens, and relationship-testing cooperation seen as core strengths.

Crash stability is mixed, with at least two reviews reporting hard crashes or dashboard crashes.

Cross-play support is repeatedly praised as generous and player-friendly, especially when paired with Friend Pass.

Dialogue quality is weakly supported and criticized in the evidence as lacking meaningful reveals or character building.

Dialogue is mixed: one review found it thoughtful and believable, while several others found it cheesy, cliched, or grating.

Difficulty balance is highly customizable, with generous parries and sliders praised for accessibility but criticized by some as making challenge too easy to dilute.

Difficulty is more demanding than It Takes Two, but generous checkpoints, respawns, and assists make it forgiving for many pairs.

Resource balance is praised in at least one review for reducing ammo frustration through melee replenishment and frequent drops.

Emotional impact lands for many reviewers through friendship, trauma, creativity, and player connection, even when story execution is imperfect.

Enemy variety is well supported, with reviewers citing familiar demons, redesigns, returning obscure foes, and new enemy types.

Environmental detail is strong, with reviewers noting vivid gore, neon, secrets, and large detailed spaces.

Environmental detail is praised through vast, varied levels and backdrops that make short-lived worlds feel substantial.

Exploration and secret hunting are repeatedly valued, though some reviewers note open areas can slow momentum or make secrets feel too obvious.

Exploration is limited and sometimes hurt by invisible walls, despite occasional optional side stories and environmental curiosities.

Facial animations are mentioned positively in one review as solid, alongside strong character models.

Facial animation evidence is limited but positive, especially around character models and lip syncing.

Faithfulness to franchise is generally positive: despite changes, reviewers often say the core Doom identity remains intact.

Family friendliness is positive for capable co-op pairs and families, though the challenge and darker tone may not suit complete beginners.

Dragon flight is the most mixed vehicle-related element, praised by a few for smooth controls but often criticized as shallow, rigid, or repetitive.

Flying is exciting in some sections, but at least one reviewer found dragon flight floaty and less precise than other mechanics.

Frame rate stability is repeatedly praised across PC, PS5, and Xbox impressions, with several reports of stable or high framerates.

Frame rate stability is excellent on most consoles, while Switch 2 reviews note lower targets and occasional stutter.

Fun factor is high overall, with many reviewers calling the game a blast, fun, or grin-inducing despite caveats.

Fun factor is very high across positive and mixed reviews, with many emphasizing laughs, surprise, and pure game feel.

Reviewers consistently point to the Shield Saw, parries, melee, and grounded combat as the defining mechanical changes, generally praising their depth and fit.

Reviewers consistently describe a fast-changing suite of mechanics that keeps play inventive, though a few felt individual mechanics could be forgettable or uneven.

Graphics quality receives strong praise across reviews, with repeated admiration for id Tech 8 visuals, crisp image quality, and impressive scenery.

Graphics quality is strong on main platforms and still attractive on Switch 2 despite compromise, with reviewers calling presentation gorgeous or stunning.

Handheld play suitability is poor in the cited evidence, with PCMag noting the game does not run on Steam Deck.

Handheld suitability is a Switch 2 advantage, with portable play and tabletop mode valued despite visual and performance tradeoffs.

Haptic feedback integration is present on PS5, but reviewers describe it as limited or partly obnoxious rather than transformative.

HUD clarity is supported by clear threat indicators, enemy outlines, and customizable visual feedback.

Immersion is supported by detailed sound design and environmental presentation that make the world feel absorbing.

Immersion is supported by high-stakes set pieces and worlds that remain thrilling even when mechanics are simple.

Innovation is repeatedly noted through the shield, grounded combat, accessibility, and broader reinvention of Doom’s formula.

Innovation is a major strength, especially in cooperative design, set pieces, finales, and constant genre-switching ideas.

The learning curve is moderate: reviewers note the new style takes adjustment but becomes manageable once players acclimate.

The learning curve is approachable but steeper for casual players who must handle cameras, timing, and fast genre shifts.

Level design splits reviewers between praise for expansive, secret-filled spaces and criticism that some large maps become flat or repetitive.

Level design is widely praised for audacious set pieces, memorable scenes, and strong environmental variety.

Load times are supported by one review that calls them extremely quick.

Load-time evidence is limited to Switch 2 texture pop-in when loading into new areas, so this is a modest technical caveat rather than a core strength.

Lore depth is appreciated by reviewers who value codex detail and expanded Doom-universe backstory.

Map and navigation design is mixed, with praise for the automap and objective ping but criticism over missing map markers.

Matchmaking is a limitation: reviews note no random matchmaking and crossplay setup friction despite Friend Pass convenience.

Menu usability is mixed, with reviewers appreciating customization but criticizing unclear sliders or awkward melee switching.

Menu usability evidence is limited to crossplay setup friction through outside apps and websites.

Mission and chapter design are structured around changing subgenres, world rhythms, and side-story detours that keep objectives fresh.

Mission variety is generally praised for new enemies, weapons, set pieces, and open-zone objectives, though vehicle missions weaken the mix for some.

Side stories and mission variety are repeatedly praised as surprising, funny, creative, and often among the best parts of the game.

Movement is divisive: reviewers agree it is slower and more grounded, with some loving the tank-like heft and others missing Eternal’s freeform mobility.

Movement earns strong praise for improved jumping, momentum, and timing, helping platforming and set pieces feel approachable.

Multiplayer design is essentially absent, and multiple reviewers explicitly note there is no multiplayer mode.

Multiplayer design is central to the game and praised for being purpose-built around two players and standout co-op structure.

Narrative quality is one of the most divisive areas; a few reviewers like the cinematic lore, but many find the story weak, self-serious, or forgettable.

Narrative quality is split: reviewers like the premise, AI/creativity theme, and some human beats, but many criticize predictable or thin story execution.

Onboarding is viewed positively where reviewers note newcomer-friendly design and early chapters that ease players into the altered combat loop.

Online stability is praised across several reviews, with smooth connectivity, low latency, and online play performing like local play.

Semi-open design earns mostly positive attention for expanding combat spaces and optional objectives, though it does not work equally well for every critic.

The game is mostly linear; reviewers note that this focus supports pacing but limits open-world freedom.

Originality is strongly supported by praise for the Shield Saw as a standout modern weapon concept.

Originality is debated: some call it deeply original and inventive, while others argue it remixes familiar ideas with exceptional execution.

Pacing is uneven across reviews: some find the chapters well-paced, while others dislike the extended ending, cutscenes, or repetitive stretches.

Pacing is usually energetic and brisk, but some reviewers felt certain scenarios or structure beats drag or climax unevenly.

Performance optimization is generally strong, with several reviewers reporting smooth PC or console performance, though ray tracing demands are noted.

Performance optimization is strong on PS5/Xbox/PC evidence and more compromised on Switch 2, but most reviewers still found it functional or polished.

Platform-specific feature support includes DualSense adaptive triggers and controller-speaker support, though the implementation is mixed.

Platform-specific features are useful, especially Switch 2 Game Share and Friend Pass, though unsupported single Joy-Con play hurts local convenience.

Platforming is considered reduced or less central than in Eternal, which some reviewers accept while others see as a loss.

Platforming is repeatedly described as precise, accessible, and immediately satisfying, especially with air dashes, wall runs, and forgiving assists.

Polish is uneven: some reviewers call the game polished, while others cite bugs, missing glory-kill feel, or streamlined systems.

Polish is broadly strong, especially on main platforms, while some reviews mention uneven stretches or Switch 2 compromises.

Progression centers on upgrading health, armor, guns, shield, and melee tools, with Kotaku describing it as streamlined and useful.

Progression relies on chapter abilities and side-story discovery rather than collectables, levels, or long-term customization.

The protagonist remains appealing as a powerful vehicle for badassery, even when the surrounding story underwhelms reviewers.

Protagonist appeal varies sharply; some reviewers bonded with Mio and Zoe, while others found them flat or slow to like.

Puzzle design is generally simple and functional, with shield-based environmental interactions adding light variety rather than deep puzzle challenge.

Puzzle design is a major strength, with reviewers highlighting cooperative problem solving, smart escalation, and partner-dependent solutions.

Replay value depends heavily on completionism; some praise secrets and challenges, while others doubt they will replay after finishing.

Replay value comes mainly from swapping characters, trying different partners, and returning to missed side stories rather than long-term progression.

Sandbox freedom is mixed: some praise objective freedom, while others reject the marketing idea that the game is a true combat sandbox.

Save and progression reliability is supported by same-save switching and non-host progression carryover.

Server reliability evidence is limited but positive, with no noticeable connectivity issues reported in Switch 2 online play.

Side character depth is a concern, with at least one reviewer finding the supporting cast unmemorable.

Side character depth is mostly weak because reviewers repeatedly describe the villain as one-dimensional or underdeveloped.

Skill-tree depth is limited but present through melee and shield/weapon upgrades; reviewers describe it as useful but not especially elaborate.

Sound design is a clear strength, with reviewers praising weighty weapons, impacts, deflections, and visceral audio feedback.

Soundtrack quality is mixed: many enjoy the heavy metal score, but several miss Mick Gordon or find the music less memorable.

Soundtrack quality is mixed: some praise sci-fi and fantasy musical identity, while others found the score ambient and forgettable.

Split-screen quality is mostly strong, including online split-screen visibility, but portable Switch 2 play can make small details harder to read.

Stealth appears as one of the sci-fi gameplay styles, but evidence is limited to its inclusion rather than deep stealth-system praise.

Onboarding is praised where reviewers describe the game teaching mechanics and escalating them clearly before new twists arrive.

Upgrade systems are widely mentioned, usually as meaningful rewards for exploration, though some reviewers find upgrades too passive or simplified.

User interface design is supported through UI/HUD scaling and customization options mentioned in accessibility discussion.

Interface evidence is limited and negative around crossplay setup explanation rather than the main HUD or menus.

Value for money is mixed, ranging from Editors’ Choice praise and worthwhile highs to criticism of price, lack of modes, or sale/free recommendations.

Value is strong when viewed through Friend Pass and one-copy play, though some aggregate evidence notes it is shorter and more expensive than its predecessor.

The vehicle roster of mech and dragon sections adds spectacle and variety, but most reviewers find these sections shallower than core combat.

Visual effects are praised through vistas, skyboxes, and dramatic city or battlefield imagery.

Visual effects and technical spectacle are praised for high-impact finales, resolution, and sequences that keep up with rapid shifts.

Voice acting gets limited and mixed evidence, with some reviewers calling performances weak or unable to elevate the writing.

Weapon balance is broad and divisive: many praise flexible weapon usefulness, while others find some guns less distinctive or unnecessary.

World-building is praised for using Mio and Zoe’s imagined worlds to reveal personal histories and support the AI/creativity theme.

World interactivity is strongest around the Shield Saw, which reviewers cite as a tool for navigation, switches, walls, and combat interactions.

World interactivity appears in co-op props, environmental manipulation, and small interactables, though it is not a deep sandbox.

Writing quality draws repeated criticism for cheesy, incoherent, or overbearing storytelling, even from reviews that enjoy the gameplay.

Writing quality is the biggest divide, ranging from strong emotional praise to repeated criticism of cliches, quips, and amateurish dialogue.