Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations restores movement

id Software released Revelations, a paid DLC for Doom: The Dark Ages to mark the series’ 35th anniversary. The expansion adds a new Chain Spear weapon that restores fast, grapple-based movement across the DLC’s arenas. The Chain Spear can be used to parry, thrown for extra damage or deployed as a grappling hook to pull the Slayer through the air and around enemies.

The DLC follows the Slayer after he is condemned to his tomb and must rebuild his strength and powers. The campaign portion runs about 10 to 12 hours. The studio described the campaign culminating in a moment that will “change the world around him forever.” Roughly 40% of the expansion is endgame content, including Master Level challenges, Praetor suit challenge arenas for upgrades, Slayer Trials, puzzles, new resources and classic levels from early Doom releases, mostly rebuilt from Doom 2 on the modern engine. Players must earn an Astral Key to face an Uber Boss; defeating that boss opens four additional top-tier encounters the studio called “super intense.”

Movement and combat changes center on the Chain Spear, which can replace the Shield Saw. Players can sling the spear into enemies, use the pull to launch upward, swing around foes and fire while airborne. A dash and double-jump mechanic lets players redirect movement in mid-air after using the grapple. Game Director Hugo Martin described the Chain Spear as providing “most of the skill expression” in Revelations. The weapon works with any equipped firearm, unlike the Meathook from Doom Eternal which was tied to the super shotgun. Executive Producer Marty Stratton predicted players will keep learning new techniques across multiple playthroughs: “you’re learning things [in the] second, third playthrough.”

Revelations adds returning and new enemies. Archviles and Pain Elementals return, a Whiplash enemy gains an invisible Spectre variant, and stronger purple variants of Hell Knights and Zombies appear. A new Wizard enemy is evasive and can buff nearby demons. The Ripatorium endless arena mode has been updated to include the new maps, the Revelations demons and the Chain Spear while other weapons remain the same as in the core game.

A new Slayer’s Hub serves as a base for upgrades and includes exploration and puzzle elements similar in function to the Doom Eternal ship. The expansion combines remade classic levels, tactical arenas and traversal-focused encounters alongside the main game’s heavier, tank-like combat.

Revelations is available now for $19.99 and requires ownership of Doom: The Dark Ages. The base game is currently discounted on Steam to $23.09 in the Summer Sale, allowing purchase of both the base game and DLC for under $45 while the sale lasts.