Players diving into Doom: The Dark Ages are finding one iconic weapon upgrade noticeably absent — the Meat Hook from Doom Eternal. The omission has sparked nostalgia and frustration across fan forums, as many consider it one of the best additions to the Super Shotgun in the franchise’s history.
Meat Hook’s Absence Is Felt Among Fans
In Doom Eternal, the Meat Hook was more than just a mobility tool. It transformed the Super Shotgun into a brutal and agile combat asset, allowing players to grapple onto enemies, close distances instantly, and use momentum to swing around or reposition during fast-paced encounters. The chain-based mod turned the Doom Slayer into a high-speed tank, giving players vertical freedom rarely seen in traditional shooters.
Its replacement in Doom: The Dark Ages — the Shield Saw — offers a different experience. It lets players dash toward enemies with a targeted charge attack and clear small demons along the way. However, as users on the r/Doom subreddit have pointed out, it lacks the verticality and acrobatic flair of the Meat Hook. Redditor Right-Parking-1836 described it as “irreplaceable,” echoing a common sentiment that the Shield Saw simply doesn’t replicate the Meat Hook’s movement versatility.
The Shift in Combat Philosophy
The Dark Ages leans more toward grounded, close-quarters combat. Its design philosophy emphasizes aggressive positioning and crowd control, rather than the airborne gymnastics enabled by the Meat Hook. While this suits the game’s medieval tone and slower pacing, some fans feel it sacrifices a key element of the modern Doom identity — high-speed, three-dimensional movement.
Players reminiscing about Doom Eternal frequently cite how the Meat Hook added fluidity to traversal, especially in arenas packed with vertical structures. The hook wasn’t just a combat mechanic — it was a movement tool, a panic button, and a creative weapon all in one.
What Comes Next?
Though The Dark Ages is still in early stages of community feedback, it remains to be seen whether developers will introduce new upgrades that fill the Meat Hook-shaped void. The Shield Saw is effective within the game’s context, but many players are hopeful for an optional or unlockable movement tool that captures the kinetic energy of Eternal.
In the meantime, modders and fans alike continue to express appreciation for Doom Eternal’s approach to fluidity and flexibility — and for now, the Meat Hook remains a beloved reminder of how even a shotgun can redefine movement in a shooter.
