I'm sad Doom: The Dark Ages doesn't have a weird multiplayer mode

Doom: The Dark Ages has been ripping and tearing since launch, getting a stellar review from us, but there is one aspect of the game that has left me disappointed. Unfortunately, Doom: The Dark Ages does not have a multiplayer component. While that's fairly common for games that are primarily being sold in the single-player campaign, especially in the year 2025, the last two games had multiplayer modes.

The age of every game having a multiplayer mode has long since passed, but that era of games had some of my favorite modes, because they were always a bit different from the popular games. When a game is primarily built around a multiplayer mode, it's usually designed to have broad appeal, but past games like Bioshock 2 and Mass Effect 3 were able to get away with more odd modes, since those weren't what the game was being sold on. Modern Doom has a strong history of that, which is what makes the lack of one in Doom: The Dark Ages disappointing.

Doom Eternal and Doom 2016 both had great multiplayer

Neither mode was very popular, but that doesn't mean they were bad

Doom (2016) featured an arena-style (think Quake or Halo) PvP mode that was a ton of fun to play. Doom (2016) is an incredible shooter, so having team deathmatch, capturing the flag, and more, where I could run around shooting other players, was a ton of fun. While the mode never quite took off, there was enough of a player base to get matches easily, and having one of the best-feeling shooters at the time at my fingertips, it was easy to keep playing.

Doom Eternal was a bit of a different beast. After the previous mode didn't see a ton of success, id Software opted to include an asymmetrical mode. One person would be Doom Slayer, and two other players would control high-ranking demons. Those demon players would also have smaller NPC demons with them, as they tried to take down the Doom Slayer. It was an interesting idea on paper, although it never felt quite as engaging as the previous game mode.

Doom: The Dark Ages could use more replay value

The chapter-based level design has made getting 100% completion a little too quick

One of the best reasons to include one of these multiplayer modes is the added replay value for the game. Doom: The Dark Ages has a pretty chunky campaign, but its level selection allows you to return and get 100% completion fairly quickly. Even with a playthrough on the hardest difficulty, you might find yourself wanting a bit more from Doom: The Dark Ages. A multiplayer side mode could help fill out that replay value, especially if it's something as infinitely replayable as a traditional PvP mode. While I'm personally more interested in a multiplayer mode, there was even an opportunity to jump on current trends with a roguelike mode, which could have leaderboards to give that competitive feel.

An opportunity to try something different

When a game doesn't need a multiplayer mode to sell, it's a great chance to experiment

The most appealing part of these multiplayer modes is the experimentation. These are opportunities to try something different and strange, since you aren't placing all the game's hopes on the multiplayer. The reason people love the old Assassin's Creed PvP multiplayer was that there wasn't much else like it at the time. There are tons of multiplayer shooters, but Doom: The Dark Ages continues the trend of modern Doom games feeling unique among other shooters. That uniqueness isn't getting fully used, though, if it's not being used to experiment. Instead, the game experiments with its mech and dragon levels, which don't quite hit the same mark.

It does save id Software development costs not to have one

As games get more expensive to make, anything unnecessary is going to get cut

With the rising costs of games and the threat of Grand Theft Auto VI costing $100, many developers making AAA games have to find ways to lower the cost. With the multiplayer modes in Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal not lighting the world on fire, it makes sense that Doom: The Dark Ages wouldn't include one. Instead, it includes different gameplay modes like the mech and dragon levels, besides a larger focus on narrative, which means more cutscenes. It's clear that id Software used their time and resources to focus entirely on making a great campaign, even if that came at the cost of something potentially unique.

Consumers don't need to make excuses for developers

Ultimately, it's not on me or other consumers to defend the business choices of a game developer. Some companies charge more for games, but Mafia: The Old Country is just one of many examples of the opposite being true. While I might understand why there isn't a multiplayer mode in Doom: The Dark Ages from a business perspective, that doesn't change how I felt playing the game. I felt like something was missing from my experience, so regardless of whether that's true for most people who play Doom: The Dark Ages, it's worth calling out when features go missing in sequels. I still love Doom: The Dark Ages, but I don't think it will hold a place in my heart the same way Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal have.