Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations DLC Review So Far: A Must-Play for Doom Fans

Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations, the newest DLC for the action-packed Doom: The Dark Ages, has already made a significant impact with its innovative combat elements, even after just 5 hours of playtime. According to the reviewer, the DLC is a "must-play" for any Doom fan, thanks to its ability to elevate encounters to the best the game has offered so far.

The review highlights that while the full campaign and endgame (on Nightmare difficulty) are yet to be completed, the initial experience is overwhelmingly positive. The DLC picks up where the main campaign left off, though playing through the base game first is recommended for context and to master the Slayer's arsenal. A key challenge noted is the game's steep learning curve with the new controls, particularly the difficulty in remapping them due to overlapping abilities.

<strong>Doom's New Movement Shines Bright</strong>

The introduction of the Chain Spear and Refreshed Mobility, including a Dash Ability, significantly alters the combat flow, making it more dynamic and reminiscent of Doom Eternal. The Chain Spear, unlike the Shield Saw, requires timed strikes to parry attacks, offering a uniquely satisfying yet challenging experience. The spear also enables a grappling-like ability, pulling the player towards enemies while maintaining directional control, similar to Doom Eternal's Super Shotgun grapple.

The return of the Dash Ability is particularly praised for enhancing mobility, allowing for more creative combat strategies such as slipping past foes, leveraging the grapple to evade, and utilizing cover more effectively. This addition brings the gameplay closer to the fluidity of Doom Eternal, though with its own grounded twist.

<strong>What Doom Really Nails This Time</strong>

Beyond the initial gameplay changes, Hidden Platinum bundles can be collected to open up new spear abilities such as a damaging stab, aerial slam, or javelin toss, each with upgrades tailored to counter specific enemy types. This depth in customization, while welcome, also contributes to a somewhat confusing control layout, especially with overlapping functions between the spear and shield, leading to a notable learning curve.

For example, the stab ability deals extra damage to heavy melee enemies, while the javelin toss is optimized for flying enemies and can be upgraded to pierce through projectile attacks from Mancubi. The aerial slam, when upgraded, triggers explosions that spawn health pickups, illustrating how each ability is designed with strategic depth in mind.

Here's What Dark Ages Gets Wrong

A significant criticism is the steep learning curve associated with the new controls, particularly the difficulty in remapping due to overlapping abilities. The reviewer experienced frequent mistakes, such as inadvertently throwing the spear instead of parrying, highlighting the need for patience and practice to overcome the initial frustration.

Despite these challenges, the reviewer was able to adapt, suggesting that while the learning curve is rocky, it is surmountable. The expansive hub world, endgame content, and classic Doom levels remain to be fully explored in the upcoming full review.

Doom's DLC Emerges as a Hellbender's Dream

Given the significant enhancements to combat and the clear effort to align the game's feel with the acclaimed Doom Eternal while maintaining its unique identity, Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations is unequivocally a "must-play" for Doom fans. The only caveat is the initial difficulty in adjusting to the new control scheme, but for enthusiasts, this DLC promises an experience not to be missed.