Doom: The Dark Ages | Revelations is one of the best DLC expansions ever played, yet its release was overshadowed by layoffs at developer id Software. Over 130 people were laid off the same week the expansion launched, including the majority of those who worked on Revelations, according to reports. The DLC received almost no fanfare, and the layoffs themselves reminded many of its existence.
Exceptional Gameplay Despite Gloomy Context
The modern Doom trilogy, starting with the 2016 reboot, has been frustrating due to glaring issues, but Revelations marries the best parts of Doom Eternal and Doom: The Dark Ages. The expansion removes negatives and elevates positives, resulting in a ferociously entertaining first-person shooter. The combat is satisfyingly different, with the new Chain Spear weapon being a standout.
The Chain Spear increases mobility, allowing dashes and grappling to enemies or nodes. Early upgrades enable orbiting opponents and unlocking moves like javelin attacks, stabs, and ground pounds. Each move suits different enemy types, restoring complex weapon choices reminiscent of Eternal. The spear can also deflect projectiles, making it almost the only weapon needed, but using it with the rest of the armoury expands options beyond Eternal.
Level Design and Puzzles
Level design moves away from The Dark Ages' giant open world areas to something closer to Eternal. Secrets no longer appear on the map, requiring old-fashioned searching. Proper puzzles exist, and a central hub area unlocked after a couple of hours introduces Metroidvania elements, where new abilities grant access to additional areas. Post-game rewards include redesigned maps from the original Doom.
The expansion lasts at least six to seven hours, with many spending double that due to difficulty and secret hunting. It's the best time with modern Doom games, and if Microsoft had sense, they would release it as a standalone title. However, the layoffs suggest a bleak future for the series.
Story and Accessibility
The storytelling remains fascinatingly awful and a tonal mismatch for the gameplay, but it's a background irritation. The expansion is more obviously a prequel than the parent game. The necessarily complex gameplay is no longer as easily accessible as the main game, but that's reasonable for an expansion.
Score: 9/10. Formats: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC. Price: £17.99. Publisher: Bethesda. Developer: id Software. Release Date: 7th July 2026. Age Rating: 18.
