Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations DLC Impressions: A Must-Play Addition

After spending about five hours with Revelations, the latest expansion for Doom: The Dark Ages, I can confidently say this is a must-play for any fan of the series. While I’m still working through the final third of the campaign and exploring the endgame, the new combat elements introduced here are some of the best the game has to offer. It’s inching closer to the high-octane heights of Doom Eternal, and if you're wondering if Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations is worth buying, the answer is a resounding yes.

A Shift in Combat Flow

Revelations picks up right where the main story left off. While you can technically start here without playing the base game, I wouldn't recommend it. The expansion drops you into the deep end immediately, and you’ll need a solid grasp of the Slayer’s techniques to survive. Even as someone who cleared the base game on Nightmare difficulty, the initial encounters were an intense wake-up call.

The biggest change is the removal of the Shield Saw in favor of the Chain Spear. While the Shield Saw was great for a grounded, defensive playstyle, the Spear shifts the flow toward mobility. You can no longer shield-bash to close gaps; instead, you throw the spear into an enemy and pull yourself toward them. It feels remarkably similar to the grappling hook from Doom Eternal, allowing for aerial maneuvers and creative positioning.

The Return of the Dash

Perhaps the most impactful addition is the return of the dash. Bringing this movement mechanic back completely changes how The Dark Ages feels to play. Rather than being forced to stand your ground and parry, you can now slip past enemies, dash behind cover, and stay mobile. It adds a layer of expression that was missing from the base experience.

The combat depth only grows as you progress. You eventually regain access to your shield, allowing you to hot-swap between it and the Spear. Furthermore, you can collect Platinum to unlock specific upgrades for the spear, such as a damaging stab for melee foes, an aerial slam for health drops, or a javelin throw that pierces through Mancubus projectiles. It’s a sophisticated system that rewards players for choosing the right tool for the specific demon in front of them.

The Learning Curve

It isn’t all seamless, though. Managing the different button inputs for the Spear and the Shield can be tricky. I frequently found myself trying to parry with the Spear using the Shield’s controls, resulting in some awkward positioning. The controls are complex, and finding a mapping that feels perfect for both sub-weapons takes some time. It is a rocky road to retrain your brain, but the payoff is worth the effort.

I still have the expansive hub world, hidden secrets, and the endgame content to fully explore. But based on the combat alone, Revelations is a stellar expansion that makes an already excellent shooter even better.