Comprehensive Walkthrough for DOOM: Exploring the Dark Ages in the Holy City of Aratum

The chapter titled The Holy City of Aratum in DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces players to the formidable dragon companion of the Slayer, enhancing the excitement of gameplay as you engage in aerial combat against demonic adversaries. This thrilling experience may evoke memories of a darker twist on the Star Wars universe, but the sheer enjoyment of maneuvering your dragon while blasting away monsters is truly unparalleled.

For those navigating through this intriguing chapter, our complete DOOM: The Dark Ages The Holy City of Aratum walkthrough is designed to assist you in uncovering every hidden location and collectible item.

A Comprehensive Walkthrough of DOOM: The Dark Ages – The Holy City of Aratum

During your journey through the Holy City of Aratum, you’re tasked with locating:

9 Secrets
2 Codex Entries (Collectibles)
1 Toy (Collectible)
1 Weapon Skin (Collectible)
1 Demonic Essence (Health Upgrade)
2 Rubies

Keep an eye on your map; it will indicate the proximity of collectibles and secrets. Additionally, you can monitor your progress regarding secrets and collectibles on the right side of the map!

Finding the Demonic Essence (Health)

Upon entering the city, you will encounter a Hell Carrier marked as your primary objective. Eliminate it to regain control of your dragon within the outskirts of the city.

Defeat the Titan in sight, ascend, and perform a U-turn to face the Hell Carrier you’ve just destroyed, almost returning to where the level began.

The player flies over the Holy City of Aratum in DOOM: The Dark Ages: a Titan is labelled with two yellow arrows — Engage this Titan to reveal a secret landing area.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

Instead of directly heading for the next Hell Carrier, look down to your left; you’ll spot a red-glowing Titan. Defeat it to uncover a new landing area. Upon landing, you’ll immediately trigger a combat scenario against a Pinky Rider, obtaining the Demonic Essence Health upgrade that enhances your HP.Do not leave this area just yet!

Secret Location #1

After the encounter, descend the stairs under the landing pad to discover the first secret area and open a Gold Chest.

A map of a secret landing spot and secret location in The Holy City of Aratum is shown in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Here you will find the Demonic Essence Health upgrade alongside a secret location.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

Now, hop back on your dragon!

Secret Location #2

Next, fly directly beneath the previously destroyed central Hell Carrier to discover two additional Titans glowing red. Defeat both to secure another landing zone.

On this new island, you will notice a locked gate requiring a Red Keycard. Let’s find that next.

The Slayer's dragon flies beneath The Holy City of Aratum, where two Titans and a secret landing spot can be found in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Defeat these Titans to gain access to another area.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

Once on the island, stand on the illuminated green platform and look for a Hot Metal piece to throw your Shield at.

The player - who is standing on a platform with a green sigil on it - aims at some Hot Metal they can Shield Throw at in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Utilize your Shield against this Hot Metal to obtain the Red Keycard.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

Following this, dive into the revealed pool of water to locate the valve—turn it to retrieve the Red Keycard, then swim back up to the surface.

The player, who is underwater beneath The Holy City of Aratum, approaches a valve in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

You can now utilize the Red Keycard to unlock the previously mentioned gate, gaining a Ruby and revealing the second secret location.However, don’t rush to leave yet!

Secret Location #3 and Collectible #1

Explore a little more in this area by referring to your map.

The player - who is on a small, secret island beneath The Holy City of Aratum - stands atop a secret weapon skin in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

Drop down to the left side of the Red Keycard gate and follow the trail of Gold leading to a third secret area containing a Weapon Skin. Now, you may proceed!

Next, approach the rightmost Hell Carrier (from where you began the level, facing towards the central carrier), land on it, and prepare to disembark and explore the city.

Secret Location #4

Once grounded in the city, locate a well situated to the east of the Sentinel Shrine.

A map displaying a secret area - accessible via a nearby well in the Holy City of Aratum - is shown in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Jump into the well east of the Sentinel Shrine to uncover the fourth secret location.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

Jump into the well to unlock this secret location featuring Gold, potions, armor plates, and some cultists. Afterward, swim through the cave’s water to exit.

Secret Location #5 and Blue Keycard

Traverse to the wall left of the Sentinel Shrine and turn right to discover a gate needing a Blue Keycard for access.

The location of the Blue Keycard is shown on a map of The Holy City of Aratum in DOOM: The Dark Ages — The Blue Keycard is located on a corpse just south of the level exit.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

Check your map; the location of the Blue Keycard should be indicated. It’s found on a corpse south of the level’s exit, necessitating a brief re-entry into the Hell Carrier. Acquire the Blue Keycard, return, and unlock the gate to unveil our fifth secret spot containing a Life Sigil.

Collecting the Demonic Essence (Armor)

The Armor upgrade from Demonic Essence in this chapter is unmissable. Continue dismantling the existing Hell Carrier, culminating in a battle with a Hell Knight for a permanent boost to your armor capacity.

Collectible #2

Once outside again, return to the previously destroyed Hell Carrier and observe a monstrous entity bulging from the city walls, complete with enormous tendrils that can be shot to reveal an entryway.

The Slayer's dragon looks towards a huge fleshy creature - which has a hidden path at its center - in The Holy City of Aratum in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Shoot this monster to access a hidden path through its mouth.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

This will lead to another, more concealed Hell Carrier that awaits defeat. Upon arrival, navigate to the end to uncover a new weapon. Before executing a Shield Bash on the Hell Carrier’s core to exit, don’t forget to collect the Codex entry located behind you.

Proceed to the final Hell Carrier marked on your quest. This time, land on the surrounding city instead of the Hell Carrier itself.

Secret Location #6 and Collectible #3

After acquiring the Super Shotgun, enter and head right. Take another right and perform a Shield Throw at the Hot Metal to create a bridge on the right.

The player looks towards some hot metal that they can Shield Throw at in The Holy City of Aratum in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Shield Throw at this Hot Metal to drop a bridge leading to treasures.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

To ascend, Shield Bash the crate on the bridge and enter the large room where you’ll encounter more cultists, discover another Codex entry, and face another enemy—the sixth secret location.

Secret Location #7

Returning to the main area, locate a platform featuring a green sigil that raises a gate when weighted.

The player looks towards a chandelier with some hot metal that they can Shield Throw at in The Holy City of Aratum in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Shield Throw at this chandelier to unlock the gate ahead.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

Position yourself to perform a Shield Throw at the chandelier above the platform, then walk through the now-open gate to uncover a Ruby and unlock our seventh secret location.

Secret Location #8 and Collectible #4

Outside again, proceed to follow your quest marker; jump down the path to your right before the bridge.

The player looks at a platform beneath a bridge that they can jump down to in The Holy City of Aratum in DOOM: The Dark Ages — Before crossing the bridge, drop down to the right side.| Image credit: Bethesda/VG247

Defeat the Mancubus and Imps that await, then climb the walls to discover our eighth secret location with the fourth collectible: Toy Serrat. Use your Shield to exit the area afterward!

Secret Location #9

Finally, board the last Hell Carrier; be sure to ascend the stairs before heading towards the level’s exit.

Shield Bash to progress through the opening at the top of the staircase. Here, you will find a Gold Chest and face an Enforcer along with its minions.