Fans of DOOM: The Dark Ages are expressing frustration over the game's physical edition, which comes with a surprising twist: the disc only contains 85 MB of data. This revelation came to light as some retailers began shipping the game earlier than anticipated, even before the premium edition's promised 2-day early access on May 15. However, those eager to dive into the game were met with a requirement to download an additional 80 GB to play, a fact confirmed by Twitter user @DoesItPlay1 on May 9 through screenshots from their PS5. The disappointment stems from the feeling that the physical copy does not truly represent ownership, with many fans deeming the use of the disc as wasteful and opting to wait for the digital release instead. Bethesda's decision has clearly stirred discontent among the gaming community, forcing fans to prepare for a significant download at launch.
Despite the controversy surrounding its physical release, DOOM: The Dark Ages has received glowing feedback from those who have managed to play it early. Reddit posts have been buzzing with details about the game's story, user interface, weapons, and more, accompanied by numerous screenshots. User TCXIV, who got their hands on the collector's edition, described the game as an "amazing trip," sharing images that showcase various elements from menus to in-game action, including big spoiler moments. Here at Game8, we've rated DOOM: The Dark Ages an impressive 88 out of 100, praising its return to the series' roots with a more grounded and brutal combat experience. For a deeper dive into our review, be sure to check out our detailed article below!