It’s a tricky one trying to decide the right difficulty for you in any game. DOOM: The Dark Ages makes it both easier and harder with its array of difficulty settings. While it’s a healthy amount of choice to tailor the game to your wants, choosing one can be tough if you’re unsure.
I’ve spent countless hours in DOOM (2016) and DOOM: Eternal, and know how hard these games can be. You can be overwhelmed and swarmed, even on the easier difficulty levels. DOOM: The Dark Ages brings back many classic difficulty settings and includes some new ones for good measure.
This guide walks you through them all and should help you decide which one to go with.
All DOOM: The Dark Ages Difficulty Settings
DOOM: The Dark Ages has six different difficult levels to consider: Aspiring Slayer, Hurt Me Plenty, Ultra-Violence, Nightmare, Pandemonium, and Ultra-Nightmare.
Firstly, Bethesda has decided to rename “I’m Too Young To Die” difficulty. It’s been a staple of the series since its inception, and the change is disappointing but understandable. So, if you’re a DOOM veteran and are wondering where it is, the name has been swapped out for “Aspiring Slayer.”
Back to the guide: We have six difficulty settings to choose from. Here’s a quick look at each one and how they play.
| Difficulty Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Aspiring Slayer | Enemies hit like a feather, you feel like a God, the parry window is very generous, and you should breeze through this. |
| Hurt Me Plenty | There’s a step up in difficulty with enemies doing more damage and the parry window narrowing, but it’s still a relatively safe option for easy progress. |
| Ultra-Violence | Enemies will converge on your position quickly, hit hard, and you need to time your parries much better. |
| Nightmare | Prepare for pain. You can die in a handful of hits, you won’t be left alone, and parries to be precise. |
| Pandemonium | Everything from Nightmare carries over, but if you die, you lose your campaign progress—unless you have Life Sigils, in which case, you can start the chapter over and try again. |
| Ultra-Nightmare | Again, this is Nightmare difficulty, but Life Sigils only heal you, and there are no do-overs. If you die, your campaign run is done—permanently. |
Which Difficulty Setting Should You Pick in DOOM: The Dark Ages?
Choosing a difficulty level in DOOM: The Dark Ages depends on your experience, what you want from DOOM, and your skill level.
I’ll preface by saying I chose the Nightmare difficulty setting for DOOM: The Dark Ages. My reasoning is threefold: I’ve played and finished every DOOM game on high difficulty settings before, I understand the mechanics of DOOM, and I enjoy FPS titles.
If you’ve never played a DOOM game before and you’re not versed in shooters, go for Aspiring Slayer or Hurt Me Plenty. Plus, if you’re going for collectibles or achievements, this is another reason to choose a lesser difficulty option. If you haven’t played DOOM, but you enjoy shooters, Hurt Me Plenty should test the waters, and if you’re good at shooters, I’d consider trying Ultra-Violence.
We’re now getting to the upper echelons of difficulty. If you feel you’re adept at FPS games, your reflexes are fast, and you’re good at thinking on your feet (while juggling multiple mechanics), then Ultra Violence is the minimum here.
Now, let’s move on to the experienced shooters and DOOM fans. You’ve seen what I had to say, and if you feel you fall under a similar umbrella or close to it, give Nightmare a go. You will die frequently early on as you adapt to the game’s new Shield and parry system. However, I adjusted, parries became second-nature (helped by my love of Souls games), and my death toll didn’t increase as much after a few chapters.
For those who can feel the energy of the Doomslayer coursing through their veins and embody DOOM, then you need Pandemonium or Ultra-Nightmare in your life. I don’t, because I lack the skill and patience, but these modes are bespoke settings designed for the toughest of the tough.
Try Pandemonium first, finish the game once or twice, and if you do all of this, just maybe you can have a crack at Ultra-Nightmare one day!
Let me know how you get on in DOOM: The Dark Ages. Bethesda is very generous with its difficulty settings. Leave a comment below to say which one suits you best. Or head to the Insider Gaming forum to create a whole DOOM difficulty debate.
For more DOOM, find out how to claim Twitch Drops, read about the game’s prequel status, and learn about the soundtrack’s composer.
