Early hands-on impressions of Doom: The Dark Ages' upcoming Revelations DLC indicate that its new combat mechanics make for the series' most compelling encounters to date. While a full review is pending the completion of the DLC's final third and its endgame content, initial gameplay suggests the Chain Spear and refreshed mobility are pushing the experience towards the quality of Doom Eternal. Players are advised to complete the main campaign first to grasp the Slayer's full arsenal and techniques before diving into Revelations, as the DLC immediately demands proficiency.
Revelations introduces the Chain Spear, a new core mechanic that replaces the Shield Saw from the base game. This shift significantly alters combat flow. The Spear allows for parrying enemy attacks through timed strikes, offering a satisfying way to deflect projectiles and melee assaults, though it lacks the damage-negating safety of the shield. Unlike the shield's bash, which allowed for rapid closing of distance, the Spear requires players to throw it into an enemy and then pull themselves towards their target, maintaining directional control throughout. This mechanic closely resembles the Super Shotgun's grappling hook from Doom Eternal, injecting a similar focus on mobility into The Dark Ages' heavier combat style.
The return of the Slayer's dash ability is also highlighted as a critical improvement. This addition fundamentally changes the gameplay loop, allowing players to evade enemies, use the Spear for aerial maneuvers, and position themselves more strategically, mirroring the dynamic movement seen in Doom Eternal. The developers have also reintroduced the shield, allowing players to hot-swap between it and the Spear, and have added upgradeable abilities for the Spear, such as a damaging stab, an aerial slam, and a javelin toss. These abilities, along with their associated upgrades, provide counters against specific enemy types, echoing Doom Eternal's approach to weapon specialization, but integrated through the Spear's diverse functions.
However, mastering these varied combat options presents a notable learning curve. The distinction between the controls for throwing and parrying with the shield versus the spear can lead to mid-combat confusion. For instance, attempting to parry with the Spear might inadvertently trigger a throw, potentially placing the player in a disadvantageous position. While remapping controls is an option, the overlap in functions across different abilities makes finding an optimal control scheme challenging. Overcoming this hurdle is described as a significant, albeit achievable, part of the Revelations experience.
Beyond the core combat, Revelations features an expansive hub world filled with secrets, classic Doom levels, and an endgame section that await further exploration for the full review. The DLC's narrative continues directly from the main campaign, underscoring the importance of prior context for players to fully appreciate the story.