DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations Raises The Bar For FPS Expansions
It’s been over ten years since the reimagined DOOM blasted its way onto Xbox. It’s amazing to think that a simple, yet iconic, FPS game which people have managed to run on devices such as pregnancy tests (yes, really) has spawned a catalogue of games which have felt innovative with every new edition.
Happily, I can confidently say DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations continues this trend. Our hero, the Slayer, finds himself banished to Purgatory, trapped in a prison containing hidden inner truths and secrets. Down but certainly not out, he must fight his way back to defeat a fearsomely powerful abomination of The High Council of Hell.
Heading back to The Dark Ages
A New Story Expands The Slayer’s Journey
You’re warned to complete the main campaign found in DOOM: The Dark Ages first, and the team at id Software have a good reason why. Not only is there a recap video which kicks things off, but you’re thrown straight into the action against the full force of the hordes of hell. However, DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations has a few surprises in store. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but there’s some fascinating flashback sequences which feels like it takes the series somewhere new.
The Chain Spear Reinvents DOOM’s Brutal Combat
After getting to grips with the Shield Saw in the original game, this time around the Chain Spear is the Slayer’s new toy to play with. This is no ordinary spear though, it is capable of aiding the Slayer in clearing large gaps by acting as a grapple, as well as enabling mid-air dashes.
Combat wise, there’s a whole raft of different abilities that can be unlocked for the Chain Spear. Well timed dodges and swiping away hell surge attacks build empowerment, which is needed to make use of these. The grapple function can also be used in combat, triggering a automatic Glory Kill. The slayer can also use the Chain Spear to slash through demons, perform a powerful stab move, and more.
The Slayer also has plenty of firepower at his disposal too, including the iconic super shotgun which is a personal favourite of mine. The gunplay feels as good as ever, with glory kills looking wonderfully visceral as always.
Quickly and cleverly, the gameplay changes in DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations with the introduction of the Chain Spear. In all honesty, I prefer the more aggressive play style it brings. This is a game that has further developed an already impressively deep combat system, which for an FPS is quite the achievement. However, one very slight drawback is that when you have all your weapons and abilities at your disposal, it can get a little confusing. There are inputs all over the screen, and in the heat of battle it’s easy to forget how to navigate to what you want.
Secrets, Upgrades And Demons Reward Exploration
Hollow shrines are where the Chain Spear can be upgraded, but you’ll need platinum to do so. This is scattered around the realms of hell along with the usual secrets found in a DOOM game. Hollow shrines are also where leader shards can be used to update the praetor suit. These rare items are dropped by enhanced demons, usually flanked by hordes of minions. There are also some new kids on the block, including the mechanically enhanced demon called the Buzzsaw. Sitting atop a single wheel armed with a sword and shield, it’s heavily influenced by medieval culture. As demons go, it’s one of the coolest I’ve ever faced off against in a DOOM game.
Demons await!
Otherwise there are plenty of demons you’ll need to deal with, in fact some battles felt more intense than I can remember. There are plenty of powerful demons who will need seeing off, along with some huge boss characters too.
Bigger Levels Deliver More Challenge And Replayability
Puzzles feel bigger and pop up more frequently in DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations, meaning the Slayer will need to figure out how to operate huge, ancient mechanics. The level design is simply brilliant. And the automap is back, but this time collectibles and secrets are not marked out for you, you’ll need to track them down the old fashioned way instead.
DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations is a tough game, even in the “Hurt me Plenty” setting which is just one level up from the easiest tier. Rushing straight into battle means certain death, and so varying up your combat to farm health and armour is more important than ever. Whereas before it may have felt like a rarity to use life sigils, in DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations they are borderline essential for survival. Sometimes this means avoiding the tougher demons whilst scouring the battlefield for hell fodder to kill and harvest resources from. If you forgot how important tactics are when it comes to the combat in DOOM, you’ll soon be reminded.
A Masterclass In DLC Design
I must say, I don’t remember a DOOM game looking and feeling as cinematic as this. It’s epic in every sense of the word, looks stunning and is bloody brutal. And just because DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations is DLC, doesn’t mean there isn’t replayability. By the time you have beaten the main campaign you will have assembled the “Master Key”, granting access to previously inaccessible areas. When replaying these levels, seeing how they open up with the master key just hammers home how fantastic the environment design is in DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations.
However, there’s a lot more to it than just that, and some awesome surprises are in store for fans on the series. I was genuinely impressed time and time again with what was on offer here, still getting surprised long after completing the main campaign.
There’s also been an update to DOOM’s endless mode, Ripatorium. Version 3.0 brings new maps, demons and weapons, allowing for greater customisation when it comes to setting your preferred battle conditions.
A masterclass in DLC
£17.99 may feel steep for DLC, however DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations packs in plenty of gameplay. Rather than simply stringing out the main game for a little longer, it builds on what made it so enjoyable and breaks new ground. This is an expansion done right, and one of the most comprehensive and impressive examples I can remember playing.
DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations is an exhilarating, masterfully crafted thrill ride which grabs you by the scruff of the neck from the very start, and doesn’t let go.
Important Links
DOOM: The Dark Ages Unleashes Revelations – https://www.thexboxhub.com/doom-the-dark-ages-unleashes-revelations/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/doom-the-dark-ages-revelations/9p2t5hj4bq90