DOOM: The Dark Ages - Revelations, the expansion to the FPS developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, will arrive on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series on July 7, 2026. This downloadable content picks up the Slayer’s story with a brand-new campaign estimated at ten to twelve hours, enhanced by fresh mechanics, a broader bestiary, and a host of activities designed to extend the ride beyond the credits. The DLC is included in the game’s Premium edition and will also be available as a standalone purchase.
The trailer follows a wounded Slayer, stripped of part of his gear, as he traverses a purgatory of fortresses, temples, prisons, and ravaged landscapes. The footage spotlights the new chain-lance, several boss showdowns, more open areas that invite exploration, and the return of iconic demons. It also teases more first-person cinematic moments than in the main campaign, a focus id Software says it has leaned into to strengthen the storytelling.
"Wounded and betrayed, the Slayer is thrust into a purgatory from which he must escape with the help of a mysterious ally, while confronting unsettling truths about the prison of his mind".
According to id Software, this expansion plays a key role in the Slayer's timeline. The studio explains that the hero will gradually regain his abilities and equipment before the DLC's events permanently alter the world around him.
The standout feature centers on the chain spear, described by Hugo Martin as the cornerstone of the entire progression system. This weapon has its own upgrade tree and evolves throughout the adventure, thanks to resources collected during missions. Once developed, it unlocks a variety of approaches tailored to different situations and difficulty levels.
In particular, the spear can:
The grappling hook also expands your mobility. Depending on your travel direction, you can steer its path, gain altitude, cover more horizontal ground, or string together multiple aerial moves, unlocked by the late‑game progression skills.
The chainsaw shield is still in the mix, but it isn’t at full power right away, since it’s damaged at the story’s outset. Later in the journey, several abilities let you switch quickly between spear and shield to forge new attack combos. id Software also says it has rebalanced some shield abilities, notably Heaven Splitter and the hammer against super-heavy enemies.
The expansion also brings a handful of fresh foes. Players will notably face the Archvile and the Pain Elemental, bolstered by a new sorcerer who can apply a variety of debuffs while weaving around the Slayer's attacks. The bestiary also includes the Spectre Whiplash, violet Hell Knights, and explosive zombies that can quickly turn a combat arena on its head.
According to id Software, the main campaign makes up roughly 60% of the DLC's content, while the remaining 40% is devoted to endgame material. Hugo Martin notes that some players have already logged up to 14 hours in a first playthrough and he estimates that Revelations offers a volume on par with the two DOOM Eternal expansions combined. The game's director even calls this expansion the "culmination of 35 years of Doom."
After the campaign, a range of new activities opens up. Players will roam through zones that were previously locked, solve puzzles, scavenge new resources, upgrade their gear, and take on the Slayer Trials, a set of challenges built around a scoring system. The DLC also adds several levels inspired by the early DOOM, and more specifically DOOM II, all fully revisited with today’s technology.
Master Arenas are among the standout additions to late-game content. Described by the studio as four high-intensity combat spaces, they host some of the toughest battles crafted by id Software. Exploration also takes on a bigger role thanks to a sprawling hub that serves as the Slayer's prison. Operating in a Metroidvania-like fashion, this area lets players gradually uncover hidden passages, previously inaccessible zones, lore pages, and various side objectives grouped in a progression wheel.
On the soundtrack side, the group Finishing Move delivers new metal compositions, paired with classic tracks reworked by Andrew Hulshult, who is already known for his work on the DOOM Eternal DLCs as well as on the modern reissues of the first two DOOM games.
In parallel with the DLC, Morgue 3.0 will be rolled out free of charge for all owners of DOOM: The Dark Ages. This update adds more customization options, an improved code-generation system, and the ability to save custom loadouts. Players who own Revelations will also unlock three new maps, additional demons, fully upgraded weapons, and several post‑campaign content packs.
With Revelations, id Software broadens DOOM: The Dark Ages both through its campaign and the content aimed at players who want to keep the adventure going after the story wraps up. In the coming weeks, we’ll gauge where this expansion fits within the series and whether the newly announced features live up to DOOM fans’ expectations.
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