DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations [REVIEW] – An Essential (and Bloody Brutal) Expansion 

When I reviewed DOOM: The Dark Ages, I was absolutely smitten with its slower, heavier, and more methodical take on the franchise, with the game offering a refined and engaging evolution of everything that came before it. So, of course, when id Software announced the Revelations expansion, I was excited to see what they would do to build upon that very solid foundation. The answer? Strip the Doom Slayer of his best toys, toss him into Purgatory, and inject a massive dose of high-speed adrenaline back into the mix.  

Check out some screenshots down below: 

The setup for Revelations will hook players in right from the get-go. Taking place after the events of the main campaign, our usually unstoppable protagonist suffers a rare defeat at the hands of the High Council. Stripped of his maximum health, his armour, and that lovely Shield Saw I praised so much, he is banished to a desolate Purgatory, where an ancient demon known as the Architect patches him up. The narrative takes a surprisingly vulnerable turn, asking the Slayer to confront his past traumas to collect Ascension Stones and eventually escape, and while the emotional depth doesn’t entirely stick the landing, it is a refreshing change of pace that gives you a compelling reason to engage with the lore – and especially for those who have stuck around with the series for a long time. 

But let’s get into the thick of it, because the gameplay is where Revelations truly shines. To compensate for the loss of your trusty shield, you are handed the Chain Spear, and if the base game was about holding the line, this new weapon is all about relentless mobility. You can use its meathook to grapple onto demons or environmental anchor points, shifting your trajectory mid-flight to launch over chasms or dodge incoming fire – yes, it’s as cool as it sounds, whilst the added mobility helps make the whole experience feel more distinct and refreshing. 

This new tool also introduces a mechanic called Empowerment. By pulling off perfect dodges with the spear, you build up charges that can be spent on devastating special attacks. And sure, it takes a little bit of getting used to – especially for those who had been used to the timing and defence-driven approach offered by the shield – but once it finally clicks, the sheer freedom of movement is intoxicating. It completely changes how you view a combat arena and ensures that each showdown is thrilling from start to end. 

“DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations is an essential expansion that successfully marries the best parts of the modern DOOM era into one relentless package.” 

And hey, once you inevitably get your Shield Saw repaired, things become even more exciting, with the combat loop demanding that you constantly swap between your two off-hand tools to take on foes. You can bring out the shield to absorb the hits and keep chunkier enemies locked down, all whilst grappling across the map with your spear to ruin the day of enemies attacking from afar. It’s really, REALLY satisfying, and ties into the core gameplay loop of DOOM: The Dark Ages perfectly. 

But be warned: the difficulty is definitely cranked up here, so your use of both mechanics together can be imperative to your success (and especially on the higher difficulty settings). Admittedly, there are a few moments where enemy waves feel like they drag on slightly too long against overly spongy foes, but overall, the difficulty balance of combat is an absolute rush that complements your refined skillset. Furthermore, the puzzle and platforming elements are much more prominent, making exploration around the new interconnected Purgatory hub world incredibly rewarding as you hunt down Platinum shards to upgrade your gear. 

When the roughly seven-hour story wraps up, you are left with a surprisingly robust endgame to sink your teeth into, with players able to revisit previous levels to find hidden paths, gather more upgrade materials, and unlock brutally tough Master Arenas. There’s a lot to get stuck into, but given how damn fun the game is to play, you’ll relish all of the extra rip-and-tearing you’ll be able to do. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

I also have to take a moment to highlight the presentation, because I played through this entire expansion on the PlayStation Pro, and it is an absolute marvel to look at. The hardware completely flexes its muscles here, rendering the grim landscapes with jaw-dropping detail and buttery smooth performance. Even when the screen is completely overflowing with demons, particle effects, and, of course, flying blood and guts, the frame rate never even falters. And when you add in the aggressively brilliant heavy metal soundtrack that pulses through every encounter, it all becomes a euphoric treat for the senses.

Developer: id Software 
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks 
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, PC 
Website: https://doom.bethesda.net/en-EU/the-dark-ages