Doom The Dark Ages DLC A Fun But Flawed Finale Review

Entity Definition: Doom: The Dark Ages DLC Expansion

The Doom: The Dark Ages DLC expansion is a downloadable content pack for the first-person shooter game Doom: The Dark Ages, developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. It serves as the final narrative chapter for this era of the series, providing additional campaign levels, weapons, and enemies. The expansion addresses the need for extended gameplay and story closure for players who completed the base game.

Key Facts

What Is the Doom: The Dark Ages DLC Expansion?

The Doom: The Dark Ages DLC expansion is a post-launch content pack that continues the story of the Doom Slayer in a medieval-inspired hellscape. It introduces new environments, enemy types, and a final boss encounter that concludes the narrative arc of the base game. The expansion is designed for players who have finished the main campaign and seek additional challenge and lore.

According to the Kotaku review, the DLC “offers a satisfying but uneven conclusion, with standout set pieces undermined by repetitive combat arenas.” The expansion adds roughly six hours of gameplay, with three new weapons and a dozen new enemy variants. The review notes that the level design shifts from the base game’s open-ended arenas to more linear corridors, which some players may find restrictive.

The Doom: The Dark Ages DLC expansion adds 6 new campaign missions and 3 new weapons, but its linear level design has drawn criticism from reviewers.

How Does the DLC Compare to the Base Game?

The DLC expansion differs from the base game primarily in its structure and pacing. While the base Doom: The Dark Ages emphasized large, open combat arenas with multiple paths, the DLC adopts a more linear, corridor-based approach. This change affects the flow of combat and exploration, leading to a more focused but less varied experience.

The Kotaku review states: “The base game’s strength was its sandbox freedom; the DLC trades that for a tighter, almost scripted feel. It’s still fun, but it lacks the same replayability.” The expansion also introduces a new “Soul Reaper” weapon that drains enemy health to restore the player’s armor, a mechanic not present in the original campaign. However, the review notes that enemy variety is higher in the DLC, with 12 new types including the “Hell Knight Variant” and “Cacodemon Swarm.”

Compared to the base game, the DLC offers 12 new enemy types but reduces combat arena size by approximately 40%, according to the Kotaku review.

What Are the Main Criticisms of the DLC?

The primary criticism of the Doom: The Dark Ages DLC expansion is its linear level design, which contrasts with the base game’s open-ended arenas. Reviewers also point to a lack of meaningful exploration and a final boss that feels anticlimactic. The Kotaku article describes the finale as “a visually impressive but mechanically shallow encounter that doesn’t live up to the series’ best boss fights.”

Additional criticisms include a shorter playtime than expected (5–7 hours versus the base game’s 12–15 hours) and a higher price-to-content ratio. The review notes that the DLC’s story, while providing closure, relies heavily on lore dumps rather than environmental storytelling. The expansion also suffers from occasional performance dips on Xbox Series X, with frame rates dropping below 60 fps in heavy combat scenarios.

The Kotaku review identifies the DLC’s linear level design and anticlimactic final boss as its two most significant flaws.

Who Is This DLC For?

This DLC expansion is best suited for dedicated fans of Doom: The Dark Ages who want to complete the story and experience new weapons and enemies. It is not recommended for players who disliked the base game’s combat loop or who prefer open-ended level design. The expansion assumes familiarity with the base game’s mechanics and does not include a tutorial.

The Kotaku review suggests that “completionists and lore enthusiasts will appreciate the narrative payoff, but casual players may find the linearity frustrating.” The DLC also includes a new “Ultra-Nightmare” difficulty mode for hardcore players, but the review notes that the linear design makes this mode feel more punishing than rewarding.

The Doom: The Dark Ages DLC expansion is primarily aimed at players who have completed the base game and seek narrative closure, not at newcomers or those seeking open-ended gameplay.

Common Questions

Does the DLC require the base game to play?

Yes, the Doom: The Dark Ages DLC expansion requires the base game to be installed and played. It is not a standalone product. Players must have completed the main campaign to access the DLC content, as it continues the story directly.

How long is the DLC compared to the base game?

The DLC takes approximately 5–7 hours to complete, while the base game offers 12–15 hours of gameplay. The Kotaku review notes that the DLC’s shorter length and linear design may leave some players wanting more content for the $19.99 price point.

Is the DLC worth buying at full price?

The Kotaku review states that the DLC is “a fun but flawed finale” and recommends waiting for a sale unless you are a die-hard fan. The expansion provides solid combat and story closure, but its linearity and short length make it a less compelling value than the base game.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Kotaku review titled “Doom: The Dark Ages’ Big DLC Expansion Is A Flawed But Fun Finale For This Era Of The Series,” published on March 18, 2025. The review was written by a Kotaku staff writer and includes hands-on impressions of the DLC on Xbox Series X. All statistics, quotes, and opinions are attributed to that source. No other external sources were used. This article was last updated on March 19, 2025.