TL;DR
The dash is back. The Chain Spear is here. And it's the biggest DOOM DLC ever made.
DOOM: The Dark Ages' first major campaign expansion, Revelations, launched on July 7. id Software has delivered something that feels like the definitive conclusion to the modern DOOM trilogy — injecting Eternal's kinetic mobility back into Dark Ages' grounded combat while packing in more content than both Eternal DLC episodes combined.
Overview
| Field | Detail | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Title | DOOM: The Dark Ages \ | Revelations |
| Type | Campaign Expansion DLC | |
| Developer | id Software | |
| Publisher | Bethesda Softworks / Xbox Game Studios | |
| Release Date | July 7, 2026 | |
| Platforms | PC (Steam / Xbox) · Xbox Series X\ | S · PS5 |
| Xbox Game Pass | Included — no extra cost | |
| Campaign Length | 10–12 hours · ~20 hours for 100% completion | |
| Base Game Required | DOOM: The Dark Ages (Steam App 3017860) |
About the Developer
id Software, based in Richardson, Texas, is the studio that invented the FPS genre with DOOM (1993) and Quake (1996). After reinventing itself with DOOM (2016), it delivered DOOM Eternal (2020) and DOOM: The Dark Ages (2025) as a celebrated modern trilogy. Revelations marks the narrative and mechanical conclusion of that trilogy — a culmination of over a decade of iterating on what pure FPS combat can be. id Software has been a ZeniMax/Microsoft subsidiary since 2021.
Platform Details
| Platform | Target Resolution / Frame Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Uncapped | DLSS / FSR support, idTech latest engine |
| PC (Xbox) | Uncapped | Xbox Play Anywhere included |
| Xbox Series X | 4K · 60 FPS target | |
| Xbox Series S | 1080p · 60 FPS target | |
| PS5 | 4K · 60 FPS target | DualSense haptics supported |
| Xbox Game Pass | — | Play at no extra cost on Day 1 |
What's New: The Chain Spear
Revelations replaces the Dark Ages' signature Shield Saw with a completely new sub-weapon: the Chain Spear. It's the DLC's centerpiece, and it fundamentally changes how the Slayer moves and fights.
| Ability | Description |
|---|---|
| Throw & Pull | Hurl the spear into an enemy, then get pulled toward them with full directional control |
| Aerial Ground Slam | Launch from above and slam down for AOE explosive damage |
| Timing Parry | Clash the spear against green attacks to bat them away — different timing than the shield |
| Platinum Upgrades | Independent upgrade trees for stab, throw, and slam variants |
""The Chain Spear is one of the most entertaining weapons in DOOM history — it feels absolutely phenomenal." — DualShockers
The Dash Returns
The dash was removed in Dark Ages' base game, emphasizing its stand-and-fight, parry-heavy design. Revelations brings it back. Reviewers describe it as transformative:
""I didn't realize how much I missed the dash until they gave it back to me. It completely changes how The Dark Ages plays." — The Fifth Skill
Combined with the Chain Spear's grapple-like pull movement, the result is a combat mobility system that reviewers say rivals DOOM Eternal at its best.
Shield / Spear Hot-Swap
In the DLC's later sections, players can freely swap between the original Shield Saw and the new Chain Spear mid-combat. Since each weapon has different parry inputs and movement options, knowing when to switch becomes the key strategic layer.
Full Content Breakdown
| Content Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Campaign | Picks up directly after Dark Ages' ending |
| Campaign Split | ~60% story campaign / ~40% endgame content |
| Hub World | Metroidvania-style exploration area between levels |
| Classic DOOM Levels | Original 1993 DOOM maps recreated in modern engine |
| Ripatorium 3.0 | 3 new maps · new demon types · fully upgraded new weapons |
| Endgame Boss | Final uber boss fight |
| Master Arenas | Ultimate test of the Slayer's complete toolkit |
| Size vs. Eternal DLC | Larger than both Ancient Gods Part 1 and Part 2 combined |
Update 4.0 Change Log
| Change | Description |
|---|---|
| Chain Spear | New sub-weapon added, replaces Shield Saw in campaign |
| Ripatorium 3.0 | Save/load personal presets; save enemies within a wave |
| BFC Ammo Slider | New BFC configuration slider added to game settings |
| Enemy AI | Multiple AI behavior adjustments across enemy types |
| Level Fixes | Various level geometry and event trigger bug fixes |
| UI Improvements | Multiple UI display and interaction bugs resolved |
Affected Content
While Revelations is a DLC, Update 4.0 changes apply globally:
- ▶Ripatorium save/load system → applies to base game Ripatorium too
- ▶Enemy AI adjustments → affect base game encounters as well
- ▶Difficulty sliders → fully intact across all DLC content
Critical Reception
| Outlet | Verdict | Key Quote |
|---|---|---|
| DualShockers | Positive | "One of the most entertaining weapons in DOOM history; easily one of the best shooter campaigns of the year" |
| The Fifth Skill | Positive (in progress) | "Inching ever closer to the stratospheric heights of Doom Eternal" |
| Sportskeeda | Positive | "Ripping and tearing has never felt so good" |
| DayOne | Positive | "Chain Spear > Shield; upwards of 20 hours to 100% — worth every minute" |
Common Criticisms
- ▶PC stability issues — BSOD and crashes reported by multiple users on launch day; id Software patch pending
- ▶Chain Spear control complexity — too many abilities mapped to overlapping buttons, steep learning curve
- ▶Story / narrative — lore and cutscenes remain a weak point compared to combat; called "bland" and "disjointed" by some
- ▶The franchise may need a new direction — some reviewers feel the modern DOOM formula, while excellent here, is approaching its ceiling
Community Reaction
Sentiment across Steam forums, Reddit r/Doom, and X as of July 10:
What players love:
- ▶"The dash alone makes this worth buying"
- ▶"Chain Spear grapple feels better than the Super Shotgun hook in Eternal — somehow"
- ▶"Classic 1993 level remasters are shockingly well done"
- ▶"It's on Game Pass — there's no excuse not to play it right now"
- ▶"Ripatorium 3.0 is what I've always wanted — saving my runs is huge"
What players are frustrated by:
- ▶"PC crashes and BSOD on Day 1 — had to refund and wait for a patch"
- ▶"Spent the first two hours confused by the Chain Spear button layout"
- ▶"Story is the same DOOM problem — great concept, nothing on screen feels earned"
- ▶"If you didn't love Dark Ages' base combat loop, this DLC won't save it for you"
Buying Guide
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Game Pass (PC or Console) | Included | Best value — play now, no extra spend |
| Steam DLC | Sold separately | PC players who own the base game |
| Steam Base + DLC Bundle | Bundle price | New players picking up both |
| PS5 Digital | Sold separately | PS5 players |
Who Should Play
- ▶✅ DOOM Eternal fans — the dash and Chain Spear restore Eternal's mobility inside Dark Ages' heavier combat
- ▶✅ Dark Ages base game completers — story continues directly, no gaps
- ▶✅ Game Pass subscribers — free Day 1, no reason to skip
- ▶✅ Classic DOOM fans — 1993 levels remade in the modern engine are a genuine treat
- ▶⚠️ PC players (immediate) — BSOD / crash issues on launch day; wait for first patch if stability matters
- ▶⚠️ Dark Ages newcomers — campaign assumes familiarity with the base weapon kit; play the base game first
GamePeak Verdict
Revelations is the answer to the question Dark Ages fans have been asking since launch: "When does the dash come back?" It does more than just restore old Eternal tricks — the Chain Spear's pull-and-grapple system creates combat moments that feel entirely new, while the scale of the expansion (larger than both Eternal DLC entries combined, with classic remasters and Ripatorium 3.0 on top) cements this as the definitive way to experience the modern DOOM trilogy.
The PC stability issues are a genuine flaw that shouldn't be dismissed. But if you're on Game Pass, there's no reason to wait.
This is DOOM at its mechanical peak — play it.