Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations Review: A Bloody, Uncertain Farewell

Doom: The Dark Ages expansion Revelations is a difficult game to evaluate. It is a sharp, aggressive evolution of the base game’s core ideas, providing six hours of high-octane combat that feels like a love letter to the franchise. However, it arrives at the lowest point in the history of developer Id Software. Following significant layoffs at Microsoft, the studio—which has forged AAA blockbusters since the early 1990s—has been gutted, leaving behind a team too small to maintain the high standards that birthed the modern Doom era.

If this is the final word from Id Software, it is an impressive exclamation point. Revelations is out now on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.

New Combat, New Feel

Revelations continues the story of The Dark Ages, though the narrative remains muddled and largely secondary to the act of killing demons. The core gameplay loop is refreshed by the introduction of the Chain Spear. While the base game leaned heavily on the chainsaw shield for parrying, the Spear changes the tempo entirely. It rewards a faster, more mobile playstyle focused on dodging rather than absorbing hits.

Perfect dodges build a Spear Empowerment meter, fueling devastating melee attacks or ranged throws. The addition of the Meat Hook ability allows the Slayer to pull himself toward enemies, turning the battlefield into a vertical playground. It is a faster, more fluid experience that succeeds in making the Slayer feel like a predator rather than a tank.

Metroidvania-Lite Exploration

The campaign structure leans into Metroidvania-lite elements, trapping the Slayer in Purgatory and stripping him of his gear. You will navigate levels collecting MacGuffins to escape, often requiring specific tools—like the later-returned chainsaw shield—to unlock new paths. While the environmental puzzles are deeper than those in the main campaign, they occasionally feel cumbersome. Once I regained the shield, I found myself ignoring its defensive capabilities entirely in favor of the spear’s speed.

The Future of Id Software

The technical brilliance of Revelations is a reminder of what the studio is capable of, but the reality behind the scenes is grim. Reports indicate that less than half of Id’s 186 employees remain, and with the Id Tech engine team reportedly down to a single person, the technological foundation of the franchise may be dead. With no future projects greenlit and the studio reduced to the size of a support team, this expansion feels like a final, fading spark from a legendary developer.