Doom: The Dark Ages vs High On Life 2
Both trade speed for new mechanics, but only one still has an active patch pipeline keeping its combat sharp.
Updated 15d ago
The shield-saw parry trades Eternal's dash-juggling for something heavier and just as sharp — Revelations alone earns the price, if you can stand the slower pace.
Falls short of HoL1's voice-cast peak — HoL2 trades sharper writing for skateboard mechanics, leaving the gunplay split 56/44 among critics.
By the numbers
Prices checked Oct 9; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Oct 9.
| Measure | Doom: The Dark Ages | High On Life 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Value Doom: The Dark Ages wins on value | ||
| Price now | $22.49 −55% · Fanatical | $33.99 −15% · Steam |
| All-time low | $19.17 | $33.99 |
| Cost / hour | $1.58/hr $22.49 · 14 h main story | $2.88/hr $33.99 · 12 h main story |
| Off its low | +17% low was Feb 2026 | At its low low was Oct 2026 |
| Main story | 14 h | 12 h |
| Health Doom: The Dark Ages wins on player health | ||
| Steam reviews | 88% 47k reviews | 72% 3k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 90% 553 votes · vs 88% lifetime | 64% 63 votes · vs 72% lifetime · souring |
| Peak players | 1,925 Sep 2026 · ↓ 63% MoM | 124 Sep 2026 · ↓ 1% MoM |
| Launch peak | 6% of May 2025 launch peak · as of Sep 2026 | 4% of Feb 2026 launch peak · as of Sep 2026 |
| All-time peak | 31,401 May 2025 | 2,937 Feb 2026 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 2 months ago | 4 months ago |
| Patch cadence | 2 in last 90 days | 0 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | Gold | Platinum |
Shared scale — same months across the bottom, same player-count axis up the side, so the two lines are directly comparable. A shorter line means a younger game.
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
Doom: The Dark Ages
The campaign and Revelations DLC form a complete package, with the shield-saw parry the move every veteran calls the standout.
Pacing shifts from Eternal's sprint to a tank-like weight divide fans; some find the puzzle detours break the kill flow.
from our August 2026 verdict
High On Life 2
Improved puzzles and humor over the first game are the highlights long-time players consistently enjoy.
Recurring bugs and soft locks across levels are the frustrations that undermine many playthroughs.
from our May 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick Doom: The Dark Ages if
- You loved Doom 2016 but bounced off Eternal's platforming and speed
- You want a 14-hour campaign plus a paid DLC challenge
- You trust an 88% positive Steam rating over a 72% one
Pick High On Life 2 if
- You finished High on Life 1 and want more Squanch-style absurdism
- You tolerate uneven gunplay for Borderlands-style FPS comedy
- You want a 12-hour shooter with skateboarding traversal
Bottom line
Pick Doom: The Dark Ages for its 88% Steam rating and three recent patches; pick High On Life 2 only if you already love its comedy and accept a 72% score with no post-launch fixes.