Is DOOM: The Dark Ages Revelations DLC Included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?

When DOOM: The Dark Ages launched on Xbox Game Pass back in 2025, it felt like one of the biggest wins for subscribers. Being able to jump into a brand-new AAA DOOM title on day one without paying full price was exactly the kind of value that made Game Pass so appealing. I spent dozens of hours tearing through demons, experimenting with every weapon, and honestly never felt like I was missing anything.

Now that Revelations, the first major story expansion, is almost here, I’ve noticed one question appearing everywhere—Reddit, YouTube comments, Discord servers, and gaming forums:

Is Revelations included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?

The answer is simple, but there are a few details worth understanding before launch day.

Is Revelations Included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?

Unfortunately, no.

If you’re playing DOOM: The Dark Ages through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, your subscription does not automatically unlock the Revelations story expansion.

Game Pass continues to include the complete base game, but the premium DLC is sold separately.

This honestly wasn’t surprising to me. Microsoft has followed this model for years. They use Game Pass to get millions of players into the main game while charging separately for large post-launch expansions.

If you’ve been around Game Pass for a while, you’ve probably seen this happen before.

Why Microsoft Doesn’t Include Every DLC

One thing many newer subscribers misunderstand is what Game Pass is actually designed to offer.

The subscription is built around full games, not necessarily every piece of downloadable content released afterward.

Large expansions require months—or even years—of additional development. Selling them separately helps publishers continue supporting the game long after release.

Some smaller cosmetic packs occasionally appear as Game Pass Perks, but major narrative expansions almost never do.

That makes Revelations fit perfectly into Microsoft’s existing strategy.

What You Still Get with Game Pass

Even without purchasing the DLC, your subscription continues to include:

• Full DOOM: The Dark Ages campaign
• All previously released updates
• Performance improvements
• Xbox Cloud Gaming support
• Cross-platform progress where supported

Nothing disappears from your library simply because a new expansion launches.

What Makes Revelations Worth Paying For?

From everything shown so far, Revelations doesn’t look like a small collection of missions.

It feels much closer to a traditional expansion from the golden era of PC shooters.

The story picks up after the events of the original campaign, placing the Slayer inside the mysterious Purgatorium, where both reality and nightmare begin to blur together.

Without spoiling anything, the expansion introduces entirely new environments, enemies, boss encounters, and gameplay mechanics instead of simply recycling existing assets.

The biggest addition is undoubtedly the Chain Spear.

After watching the gameplay reveal, this weapon immediately caught my attention because it changes movement almost as much as combat.

Instead of simply blasting enemies from across the arena, you can:

• Pull yourself toward enemies
• Launch into vertical attacks
• Chain movement between targets
• Create aggressive close-range combos

For a series that’s always evolving its combat sandbox, this feels like one of the most exciting additions since Eternal introduced the Meat Hook.

DLC Pricing

Here’s what players can currently choose from.

The standalone version is easily the better value if you’re only interested in continuing the story.

The Premium Upgrade makes more sense for collectors or players who enjoy digital extras and exclusive cosmetics.

Who Gets the Expansion for Free?

There is one important exception.

Players who originally purchased:

• DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium Edition
• Collector’s Bundle

Already own access to Revelations.

Once the DLC launches, it should become available automatically without another purchase.

Game Pass users, however, still need to buy either the standalone expansion or the Premium Upgrade.

My Thoughts on the Pricing

I’ve seen a lot of debate online about whether first-party Xbox games should include every expansion inside Game Pass Ultimate.

Personally, I don’t think that’s a realistic expectation.

Game Pass already delivered an entire AAA campaign on release day.

If I compare that to spending $70 on launch like many players did, paying around twenty dollars for what appears to be a substantial new campaign doesn’t feel unreasonable.

The important part is whether the expansion actually delivers enough content.

If Revelations ends up offering several hours of new gameplay, memorable boss fights, and genuinely fresh mechanics, I think most DOOM fans will be satisfied with the asking price.

Community Opinions So Far

After reading discussions across Reddit and gaming forums, I noticed two very different opinions.

The first group says:

“Game Pass already saved me the price of the base game, so buying the expansion is completely fair.”

The second group argues:

“Xbox owns Bethesda now. First-party games should include every story DLC.”

Both viewpoints make sense.

However, Microsoft’s approach hasn’t really changed over the past several years.

The company consistently separates large expansions from the subscription service, even for internally owned studios.

Because of that, Revelations arriving as paid DLC wasn’t particularly shocking.

Should You Buy the Premium Upgrade?

That depends on how much you care about bonus content.

If you’re mainly interested in continuing the Slayer’s journey, I’d simply purchase the standalone expansion.

The Premium Upgrade is really aimed at players who enjoy:

• Digital artbooks
• Official soundtrack collections
• Exclusive cosmetic skins
• Owning the most complete version of the game

Unless those extras matter to you, saving the extra money makes more sense.

Quick Comparison

How to Fix DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations Crash on Launch, Black Screen, and Freezing on PC

Is Revelations Likely Worth It?

Based on everything Bethesda and id Software have shown, I’d say yes.

The expansion appears much more ambitious than the average DLC. Between a brand-new campaign, fresh enemy types, additional environments, and a weapon that fundamentally changes traversal and combat, Revelations looks closer to a compact sequel than a handful of extra missions.

Of course, the real test will be how long the campaign lasts and whether the new mechanics remain engaging from beginning to end. But from the previews alone, it seems designed for players who wanted more of what made DOOM: The Dark Ages stand out while adding enough new ideas to justify another playthrough.

If you already enjoyed the base game through Game Pass, spending $19.99 for several more hours of high-quality DOOM action feels like a reasonable investment rather than an unnecessary extra.

DOOM The Dark Ages Revelations DLC Ending Explained: Who is the Mysterious Ally?

Final Verdict

If you’re subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can keep playing DOOM: The Dark Ages exactly as before, but Revelations is not part of your subscription.

To experience the new chapter, explore the mysterious Purgatorium, battle fresh demonic threats, and master the powerful Chain Spear, you’ll need to purchase either the $19.99 standalone DLC or the $34.99 Premium Upgrade.

As someone who has followed the modern DOOM series since the 2016 reboot, I actually expected this pricing model. Microsoft has been remarkably consistent with how it handles major expansions, and Revelations follows that same pattern. While it would certainly be nice to see every first-party DLC included with Game Pass someday, I’d rather pay a fair price for a substantial campaign than receive a shorter, watered-down add-on. If the expansion delivers the same level of quality and intensity as the base game, I think most Slayer fans will walk away feeling they got their money’s worth.

DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations – Official Trailer (4K) | Available July 7