DOOM: The Dark Ages fans are expressing their dissatisfaction by canceling their pre-orders following the revelation that the game's physical disc contains only 85 MB of data. This small size necessitates an enormous 80 GB download to make the game playable, a fact that has come to light after several retailers prematurely shipped copies ahead of the official release date.
The issue was brought to attention by @DoesItPlay1, a Twitter (X) account dedicated to game preservation and the review of physical editions. They highlighted the necessity of an internet connection to update and play DOOM: The Dark Ages, which has sparked a wave of frustration among fans. Many have voiced their disappointment on social platforms, preferring a fully functional physical copy over one that requires significant downloads and an internet connection to access the game.
Despite the backlash, early recipients of the game have shared positive feedback on Reddit, praising the game's immersive experience. Here at Game8, we've awarded DOOM: The Dark Ages an impressive score of 88 out of 100, commending its return to a more grounded, gritty combat style compared to its predecessors, DOOM (2016) and Eternal. For a detailed analysis of the game, be sure to check out our comprehensive review below.