Update 3 for DOOM The Dark Ages introduces Ripatorium 2.0, a major expansion of the arena mode that adds round-based customization, new encounter presets, deeper configuration tools, and Passcode sharing to exchange custom challenges. The update provides additional jukebox tracks, interface improvements, and new end-of-level summary tabs that break down difficulty settings and demon classifications. These features offer more replay value while giving players a clearer sense of progression and combat performance.
The update also includes several quality-of-life enhancements for the main campaign, including adjustable Brink of Death assistance and new binding options for melee weapons and Shield Runes. Numerous gameplay, enemy AI, combat encounter, and balance adjustments refine the overall experience, supported by a substantial suite of bug fixes and a small list of known issues that the team is still addressing.
Full Patch Notes
Ripatorium 2.0
- Ripatorium now round based with player controlled enemy selections for up to five rounds
- Each round supports unique settings and up to ten respawn waves
- Added Time Limit options in the Settings menu
- Each round includes a unique Passcode for sharing custom encounters
- Passcode sharing introduced as a beta feature
- Added Enter New Passcode input for loading shared encounters
- New Encounter Presets added
- Medium
- Challenging
- Sadistic
- Encounter Presets compatible with all Difficulty Levels
- Community curated Preset Incoming encounters planned through Active Tunable updates
- Added five new jukebox tracks
- Theomachy
- Bloodspill
- Divine Retribution
- From the Ashes
- Wither and Writhe
- Added an icon above remaining enemies in each round
- Added additional line of sight blockers across all arenas
- End of Level Summary now features two additional tabs
- Difficulty
- Arena Setup
Gameplay and Quality of Life
- Brink of Death now adjustable in Difficulty tab
- Normal setting provides recommended support
- Hard setting provides reduced support
- Players can now swap active Shield Rune and Melee Weapon
- Added four new input bindings
- Next Melee Weapon
- Previous Melee Weapon
- Next Shield Rune
- Previous Shield Rune
- Adjusted controller vibration behavior
- Vibration intensity slider now affects external controllers on Xbox when connected to a PC
- Controller vibration works correctly with BFC equipped
Enemy AI Fixes
- Fixed a crash on PlayStation 5 Pro when performing a Glory Strike on Heavy and Super Heavy enemies after using the Shredder
- Player no longer clips through walls when performing a Glory Strike on the Komodo
- Removed floating VFX that appeared above the Cacodemon corpse after wall attack kills
- Vagary Champion summon VFX now correct size
- Fixed Cacodemon shield behavior that continued blocking after expiration
- Added ambient audio to the Cacodemon idle animation
Combat Encounter Updates
Holy City of Aratum
- Additional Mancubus spawns replaced with Imps
- Removed Chaingunners from the final encounter
Siege Part 1
- Hell Knight and Imp Stalker no longer respawn after breaking Morale in Village fight
- Removed Stone Imps and one Nightmare Imp Stalker in Swamp fight
Siege Part 2
- Hell Knights in Tank Hangar no longer respawn after Leader Battle Knight
Forsaken Plains
- Removed one Arachnotron spawn from tower objectives
Hellbreaker
- Removed additional Revenant spawn from final encounter
Sentinel Command Station
- Mancubus and Arachnotron no longer respawn in Tank Hangar after breaking Pinky Rider Leader armor
- Mancubus and Arachnotron no longer respawn in final encounter
From Beyond
- Mancubus no longer respawns after breaking Morale in first arena
- Revenant no longer respawns after breaking Morale in second arena
Belly of the Beast
- Removed Battle Knight maintain status in first arena
- Removed Mancubus and Arachnotron in Vagary fight
Harbor of Souls
- Removed Arachnotron ambush in Blue Key Komodo fight
- Removed additional Revenant spawn in Vagary temple fight
- Removed Arachnotron on barge
Reckoning
- Added Hell Knight and Imp Stalker ambush in secret Ruby room
- Added Mancubus ambush in Prince Ahzrak toy collectible secret
- Added surprise encounter at Wraithstone pickup
- Changed Nightmare Imp Stalker to normal Imp Stalker in first encounter
Tweaks and Adjustments
Atlan
- Adjusted Brink of Death for all difficulties to increase survivability at low health
- Slight increase to health gained from killing Titan enemies
Prince Ahzrak
- Reduced acceleration of projectiles from Super Dive Bomb attack
- Reduced Spear Throw base damage to prevent instant Shield breaks at 2.0x or lower
The Old One
- Slight increase to health gained from Glory Strikes
- Reduced Gravity Well explosion damage scaling for values 1.0x and above
Cacodemon
- Slight reduction to Lightning Wall projectile speed
Cosmic Baron
- Reduced Guillotine Projectile damage to prevent instant Shield breaks
- Fixed an issue where additional damage could apply incorrectly on hit
Combat Feedback
- Adjusted weapons and enemies to trigger gore more consistently
- Adjusted ragdoll behavior for melee attacks and Shield Charge to emphasize impact
Bug Fixes
- Fixed Brink of Death triggering when player Perfect Dodges AOE attacks
- Shield block spark VFX no longer appears when taking bypass damage
- Fixed Lore Nerd Milestone completion issue after 100 percent playthrough
- Fixed Perfection Skin not unlocking after force quitting during third Ripatorium match
- Fixed rare bug causing campaign menus to be replaced with Ripatorium menus
- Fixed debug text appearing after death in projectile parry tutorial
- Fixed camera tilt caused by interrupting Combat Shotgun burst with Shield block
- Fixed Shredder and Accelerator mods activating simultaneously in Ripatorium
- Fixed instant kill when hitting a Chaingunner with pinned fodder demons
- Armored enemies now falter correctly when armor is destroyed by Ravager and Pulverizer
- Fixed first hit after checkpoint not mitigating damage properly when struck from behind
- Killing certain enemies in Ripatorium no longer triggers Campaign milestones
- Ripatorium now saves equipped Melee Weapon and replenishes charges when swapped before first round
- Fixed firing SFX loop when switching from Auto Turret Rune after activation
Known Issues
- Encounter Presets may not reset to Default after using Reset All
- Quick Swap Rune and Quick Swap Melee may display incorrectly in Ripatorium for early game accounts
- Default Time Limit may display inconsistently when enabling Presets
Doom The Dark Ages is a single-player first-person shooter developed by id Software, serving as a prequel to Doom 2016 and chronicling the origins of the Doom Slayer during a medieval war against Hell. The game uses a grounded iron tank combat style and features weapons such as the Shield Saw, along with segments involving the Atlan mech and Mecha Dragon. It released on May 15, 2025, on PC through Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with day one availability on Xbox Game Pass.
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