If you’ve spent any time browsing indie FPS mods or GameStop’s curated retro game section lately, you’ve probably stumbled on GameStop Doom: The Dark Ages. This total conversion mod turns classic Doom into a gritty, medieval hellscape full of axe-wielding demons, cursed castles, and resource scarcity that makes even veteran Doom players sweat. I’ve put over 40 hours into this mod across three difficulty runs, so I’ve collected all the best tricks, mistakes to avoid, and hidden perks to help you get the most out of every playthrough. You don’t have to grind for 10 hours just to beat the first boss if you follow the advice laid out below.
Key Gameplay Differences for GameStop Doom: The Dark Ages
First off, you need to throw almost everything you know about classic Doom out the window before you start your first run. This mod is built for slow, deliberate play, not the run-and-gun chaos you’re used to from the base game. You can’t rely on your shotgun as a crutch like you do in base Doom, because ammo for all ranged weapons is 60% rarer across every level. You’ll spend most of your early game using melee weapons to conserve ammo for bigger fights, which takes some getting used to.
There’s also a new stamina bar that drains when you sprint, swing a melee weapon, or dodge roll. If you drain it completely, you’ll be stuck walking at half speed for three full seconds, which is more than enough time for a demon to land a one-hit kill. Health pickups are 50% rarer than vanilla Doom, too, so you’ll want to prioritize dodging attacks over tanking them whenever possible. I made the mistake of trying to power through a group of imps on my first run, and I ran out of health potions before I even reached the first boss.
You’ll also run into cursed artifacts scattered across levels. These look like tempting, glowing loot at first, but picking one up will give you a random debuff that can last anywhere from 10 minutes to the rest of your run. Debuffs range from slower reload speed to 20% less melee damage, so it’s almost never worth grabbing a cursed item unless you have a holy water vial to clear the effect immediately.
Optimal Loadouts for Every Stage Type
Your loadout will make or break your run, especially in the first three levels where you don’t have access to upgraded gear. The best loadout for you will depend on what type of level you’re playing, but there are a few core items you should carry no matter what. The iron longsword is the best early-game melee weapon you can get – it has 30% longer reach than the starter axe, and it uses 20% less stamina per swing, so you can land more hits before you have to back off to recharge.
For open field levels with lots of wide open space, you’ll want to prioritize a long-range weapon like the enchanted crossbow. It deals enough damage to one-shot most basic enemies from a distance, and it reloads far faster than the flintlock pistol most new players pick up first. For tight castle interior levels, you can swap the crossbow for a blunderbuss, which deals massive AOE damage in close quarters but is almost useless at long range.
No matter what level you’re playing, make sure you always have these core items in your inventory:
- 1 primary melee weapon (upgraded to +1 damage as soon as you find a blacksmith)
- 1 long-range ranged weapon (crossbow or enchanted bow, skip flintlock unless you have a reload speed perk)
- 2-3 holy water vials for curse removal and crowd control against large demon groups
- 1 stack of 15 throwing knives for quick, low-stamina chip damage on weak enemies
I usually skip the heavy plate armor you can buy from the first merchant, even though it offers 40% more damage protection than leather armor. It cuts your stamina bar by 30%, which makes it way harder to dodge heavy attacks from big demons. Light leather armor gives enough protection for the first three levels, and you can upgrade it to match plate armor protection later once you find rare crafting materials.
How to Beat the First Three Bosses Without Wasting Rare Resources
Even if you’re used to modded Doom campaigns, GameStop Doom: The Dark Ages’ boss fights feel far more deliberate than most, so you’ll want to save your rarest items for the final two bosses instead of wasting them early. The first boss is the Gatekeeper, a 10-foot-tall demon wielding a spiked mace who guards the entrance to the first castle. Don’t waste your explosive runes on the Gatekeeper – you only need 10 crossbow shots to his exposed head when he roars, plus a few sword swipes to finish him off. Just make sure you don’t stand directly in front of him when he swings his mace, because it will knock you back into the spike traps lining the arena for an instant kill.
The second boss is the Cursed Nun, who teleports around the arena and summons waves of imp minions while casting curse spells at you. Don’t make the mistake I did my first run of trying to chase her around the arena to deal damage. Focus on killing the minions first, because they drop small health pickups and stamina refills that will keep you alive through the fight. She stops moving for two full seconds every time she casts a curse spell, so that’s your window to land a few crossbow shots to her chest. It takes a little patience, but it’s way safer than rushing her.
The third boss is the Baron of the Ruins, a tanky demon with a glowing crystal embedded in his chest. This is the first boss you’ll want to use one explosive rune on, but only when he’s standing completely still. The rune will shatter the crystal on his chest, which removes his 80% damage resistance, and then you can finish him off with 5-6 longsword swings. Don’t stand near the edges of the arena during this fight, because he has a charge attack that will knock you off the ledge for an instant kill, no matter how much health you have left.
Hidden Secrets Most Players Miss on Their First Run
Half the fun of this mod is hunting for hidden secrets scattered across every level, and many of these secrets give you permanent buffs that make the rest of your run way easier. If you hear a faint humming noise when you walk past a stone wall, hit it with your sword. It will break open to reveal a hidden room full of loot, upgrade materials, or even a permanent buff. I’ve found three permanent health boosts just by checking every wall that makes a humming noise, so it’s always worth taking 30 seconds to investigate.
You can unlock a permanent 10% stamina boost by finding all 5 hidden runestones in the first two levels. Most players skip them because they’re off the main path, but that stamina boost makes it so much easier to dodge attacks and swing your melee weapon more often. You can find the first runestone behind a breakable wall in the starting village, right next to the well. The other four are hidden in small side rooms off the main path, so keep an eye out for unmarked doors.
There’s also a secret merchant hidden in the third level, behind a fake bookcase in the castle library. He sells an enchanted longsword that deals 50% more damage to demon enemies for 20 gold coins. You can collect 20 gold coins just by looting dead guards in the first two levels, so don’t waste your coins on health potions or other disposable items early on. That enchanted sword will last you the rest of the run, and it makes every boss fight way easier.
One last secret: if you leave a loaf of bread on the stone altar in the church level, you’ll get a permanent 5% damage boost for the rest of your run. It’s a small buff, but it adds up over time, especially when you’re fighting tanky late-game bosses. You can find a loaf of bread in the kitchen of the first castle, so just tuck it in your inventory until you reach the church level.
At the end of the day, GameStop Doom: The Dark Ages is all about adapting to its slower, more strategic take on classic Doom gameplay. You don’t have to be a pro player to beat it, you just need to stop treating it like a regular run-and-gun FPS and plan your moves carefully. Test out different loadouts, keep an eye out for hidden secrets, and don’t be afraid to run away from a fight if you’re low on health. I’ve had runs where I died 10 times in the first level, and runs where I beat the whole game without dying once, so don’t get discouraged if you struggle at first. Once you get the hang of its unique mechanics, it’s one of the most fun Doom total conversions released in years.
