During the week of Microsoft laying off 3,200 of Xbox Game Studios' developer staff, including a good chunk of id Software's staff, it was easy to forget that id Software launched the DLC expansion to DOOM: The Dark Ages around the same time.
Fortunately for gamers, it turned out to be the only good piece of news that week, as this DLC expansion titled DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations successfully launched with glowing critical and fan acclaim.
It's been praised for expanding the single-player campaign with a new, exciting story along with new levels, puzzles, enemies, weapons, the new Ripatorium 3.0 challenge mode, deeper customization, and more.
The DLC expansion currently sits at 90/100 on OpenCritic, with the likes of IGN, SECTOR.sk, and more giving it near-perfect review scores, while over 86% of 1,436 players have left positive reviews on its Steam Page.
Here's a round-up of what some of the critics had to say about DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations:
- IGN (9/10): "Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations is not for the faint of heart. It demands mastery of the Slayer’s many tools of destruction, including exciting new options like the Chain Spear, and rewards that mastery with some of the most exhilarating combat rooms I’ve ever played fought my way through. The Dark Ages’ action was already among the best in the genre, and this DLC elevates it even further by fusing it with just the right amount of Doom Eternal to make the two feel similar, but still wholly distinct from each other. It’s a steep difficulty curve to climb, but it’s well worth the effort."
- SECTOR.sk (9/10, translated from Slovak): "DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations will put you to the test. And the main character, too. But it's a brutal action-packed ride that you'll really enjoy. It's an excellent expansion. Its difficulty and structure, which involves backtracking, might not be for everyone, but it's excellent."
- Hobby Consolas (85/100, translated from Spanish): "Revelations could be the end of the modern era of the DOOM saga, a franchise that returned from the depths of hell with the force of a thousand demons thanks to the superb work id Software has done for over a decade."
- Uagna (9/10, translated from Italian): "DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations is an exceptional expansion that enhances and transforms an already rock-solid combat system. The Chain Spear stands out as one of the modern series' most successful additions. The return of the dash, increased verticality, and the ability to switch between spear and shield bring the gameplay closer to the mobility of DOOM Eternal without sacrificing the weighty feel of The Dark Ages. While the story remains predictable and the controls require an adjustment period, these are minor flaws when weighed against the quality and volume of content on offer. At a time marked by uncertainty regarding id Software's future, Revelations once again demonstrates the studio's technical and creative prowess. It represents a near-perfect blend of the brutality found in The Dark Ages and the speed of DOOM Eternal."
- Powerup! (8.5/10): "DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations is exactly what a great expansion should be. It doesn’t reinvent the foundation established by the base game. Instead, it strengthens it, expands it and quietly fixes one of its biggest shortcomings by restoring the glorious speed that made DOOM Eternal so addictive in the first place."
- Digitale Anime (9.5/10, translated from Arabic): "A True Evolution, Not Just an Expansion" DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations succeeds where most expansions fail; it doesn't just add new content, it evolves the very foundations of the game. The Chain Spear system changes the rhythm of combat and brings back the speed and action that players loved in DOOM Eternal without abandoning The Dark Ages identity. There's clever enemy design, secret-filled levels, a strong ending, and exceptional music. Revelations is an excellent expansion that elevates the base game to a whole new level."
Windows Central's take
Overall, it seems like the consensus is that while the DLC expansion's emphasis on backtracking exploration may not be everyone's cup of tea, people are loving the improved combat system.
With the new Chain Spear weapon, the return of the dash ability, and increased verticality, DOOM: The Dark Ages's combat system now feels way faster-paced, comparable to older titles like DOOM: Eternal, without sacrificing the immersive weight and impact that earned it a perfect 5/5 review from us at Windows Central.
So, hearing that DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations plays more like DOOM: Eternal, my favorite game in the series alongside DOOM (2016), fills me with great joy, and I can't wait to play it myself when I have the time to do so.
I know that after last week's non-stop barrage of depressing news of Sony killing physical media and Xbox studios being culled, I can definitely do with some ripping and tearing of demons to vent my frustrations.
DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Do note that this DLC requires the base game of DOOM: The Dark Ages in order to be played.
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