Doom: The Dark Ages vs Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II
Doom's shield-parry heavy rhythm versus Space Marine 2's horde co-op — two very different power fantasies.
Updated 26d 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.
Saves the 40K video game catalog — Space Marine 2's chunky bolter-and-chainsword co-op keeps 8-12k peak players active in 2026 with strong PvE Operations.
By the numbers
Prices checked Sep 7; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 7.
| Measure | Doom: The Dark Ages | Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II |
|---|---|---|
| Value Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II wins on value | ||
| Price now | $44.39 −11% · Fanatical | $14.99 −75% · GamesPlanet US |
| All-time low | $19.17 | $14.95 |
| Cost / hour | $3.12/hr $44.39 · 14 h main story | $1.59/hr $14.99 · 9 h main story |
| Off its low | +132% low was Feb 2026 | At its low low was Sep 2026 |
| Main story | 14 h | 9 h |
| Health Doom: The Dark Ages wins on player health | ||
| Steam reviews | 88% 46k reviews | 84% 225k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 89% 1k votes · vs 88% lifetime | 81% 3k votes · vs 84% lifetime |
| Peak players | 5,265 Aug 2026 · ↓ 62% MoM | 25,166 Aug 2026 · ↑ 1% MoM |
| Launch peak | 17% of May 2025 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 | 14% of Sep 2024 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 |
| All-time peak | 31,401 May 2025 | 186,199 Sep 2024 |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 8 weeks ago | 3 weeks ago |
| Patch cadence | 3 in last 90 days | 4 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | Gold | Gold |
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
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II
The horde combat and class-based PvE operations offer deep customization and cinematic action that long-haul players find addictive.
Excessive loading screens and overpriced DLC are consistent frustrations that even dedicated players call out.
from our May 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick Doom: The Dark Ages if
- You prefer a 14-hour solo campaign with a methodical parry system.
- You want a Doom experience closer to 2016 than Eternal's speed.
- You are okay paying for DLC to extend the experience.
Pick Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II if
- You love 3-player co-op and grindable PvE Operations.
- You are a Warhammer 40K fan seeking a reverent adaptation.
- You prefer horde combat with friends over solo precision.
Bottom line
Choose Doom for a heavier solo power trip with a longer campaign; pick Space Marine 2 for co-op horde slaying with friends, accepting its shorter story.