Kazuma Hashimoto, who worked with Sweet Baby as a "narrative design consultant", started playing Doom: Dark Ages. At the end of March this year, he published an article in Rolling Stone for criticizing Doom: Dark Ages as not a modern game, titled "Doom: Dark Ages" feels like an Xbox 360-era shooter, and in a bad way.

Kazuma Hashimoto says Bethesda's medieval prequel game looks ordinary visually and tone-wise, slowing down the pace of action and confusingly deprives the essence of modern Doom games.

He said Doom: Dark Ages didn’t draw on the predecessor’s fast-paced, thrilling battles and powerful metal music.Instead, it feels slow, like a cheap replica of other action games.

He further noted that the gameplay is reminiscent of action games from the Xbox 360 era, which are often bulky and rough, and visual effects and monsters are not convinced.

Kazuma Hashimoto resume screenshot

Preview screenshot of Rolling Stone Magazine