Id Software Announces DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations Expansion

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How the Chain Spear alters combat and movement

The centerpiece of the expansion is the Chain Spear, a weapon that replaces the Shield Saw early in the story after the Slayer’s armor is destroyed. While players can eventually swap between the spear and shield, id Software intends for the spear to define the DLC’s difficulty and pace. According to Push Square, the weapon requires mastery of its unique abilities to conquer the expansion’s higher difficulty curve. The weapon functions as a multi-tool for both offense and traversal. It can be thrown like a sniper shot, slammed into the ground for shockwaves, or used to slash and break armor. Most significantly, it introduces a grapple hook and “Orbit” mechanic, allowing the Slayer to rotate around enemies in the air while firing other weapons. “It adds movement tech to Dark Ages combat, complete with a dash and grapple hook. We’re going to make the tanky Dark Ages Slayer fly. You’ll feel like a monster truck with a jet engine strapped to your back.” Hugo Martin, Game Director and id Software Studio Co-Director, via Xbox Wire This shift moves the gameplay away from the “iron tank” feel of the base game and back toward the high-speed acrobatics seen in DOOM Eternal. TheSixthAxis reports that the grapple allows for “aftertouch,” where players can adjust elevation or speed during flight.

The structure of the Revelations endgame

Revelations is split between a core story campaign and a substantial endgame. IGN reports that roughly 40% of the 10-12 hour experience is dedicated to this endgame content. The story portion consists of six new levels, including a sprawling hub with Metroidvania-style progression and hidden secrets. Once the primary missions are complete, players unlock a series of escalating challenges:

• Revisited Areas: Returning to story levels for new endgame content.
• The Astral Key: Earned by completing reimagined classic levels to unlock an “Uber Boss.”
• Master Arena Key: Grants access to four Master Arenas featuring the game’s most demanding battles.
• Ripatorium 3.0: A revamped version of the mode with new encounters and challenges.

The total volume of content is significant. id Software estimates the size of Revelations to be equivalent to both parts of DOOM Eternal’s The Ancient Gods DLC combined, per Push Square.

Integrating Flynn Taggart and franchise canon

The expansion serves as a narrative bridge, exploring the Slayer’s history before he became the legendary warrior. In a move that connects the modern trilogy to the 1993 original and 1994 sequel, the DLC identifies the protagonist as Flynn Taggart. “We’ve always treated all of the Doom games as canon. We have never had the chance to explore who he was as the Slayer. Before he was the Slayer he was a marine, his name was Flynn Taggart. [So in Revelations] we go back in the Nightmare levels and tell some of the Flynn Taggart story.” Hugo Martin, Game Director, via IGN This canonization draws heavily from the original paperback novels, though Martin clarified that the studio does not consider the novels themselves part of the modern series, instead opting to pull the most popular elements like the name and famous lines. These memories are delivered through “modernized versions” of classic levels, which co-studio head Marty Stratton describes as “history with the graphics turned up,” according to IGN.

New enemies and combat requirements

Combat in Revelations introduces new enemy variants and modified monsters. The Archvile returns, though IGN notes a mechanical change: while it can still summon demons, it will not resurrect them as it did in DOOM 2. Additionally, The Mercury News reports the introduction of purple variants that present new tactical challenges. The Chain Spear is not merely an option but a requirement for survival in the endgame. Specific abilities are tailored to enemy types; for instance, the spear’s throw is more effective against flying adversaries. “The feedback is great. It requires skill and timing… Once mastered, you will feel like a Jedi, slashing back and forth against Hell’s worst.” Hugo Martin, Game Director, via Push Square The expansion’s release on July 7 marks a return to the franchise’s roots by blending 90s-style maze complexity with modern movement tech, effectively attempting to synthesize 35 years of DOOM evolution into a single experience.

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