Fans of *DOOM: The Dark Ages* are expressing their frustration after discovering that the physical edition of the game includes only a measly 85 MB on the disc. The game, slated for an official release on May 15, has already been shipped early by some retailers, even before the premium edition's promised 2-day early access. However, the shock came when players realized they would need to download an additional 80 GB of data to actually play the game. This revelation was shared by Twitter user @DoesItPlay1 on May 9, who posted screenshots on their PS5 showing the game disc's paltry file size of 85.01 MB and the necessity of an internet connection for updates.
The community's disappointment is palpable, with many feeling that the physical copies do not truly represent ownership of the game. Fans have criticized Bethesda for what they see as a waste of resources by including a disc that requires such a massive download. Some have even decided to hold off and wait for the digital release instead. This decision by Bethesda has clearly not sat well with the fanbase, leaving them with no alternative but to download a significant amount of data upon the game's launch.
Despite the controversy surrounding its physical edition, *DOOM: The Dark Ages* has garnered positive feedback from those who have managed to play it early. According to various Reddit posts, fans have praised the game, describing it as "amazing" and sharing numerous screenshots of its story, UI, weapons, and more. One user, TCXIV, who received the collector’s edition, finished the game and shared their enthusiasm, posting detailed images of menus, interfaces, the bestiary, demons, cutscenes, and significant spoiler moments.
At Game8, we rated *DOOM: The Dark Ages* an impressive 88 out of 100. We appreciate the game's brutal renaissance of the DOOM series, which shifts from the aerial flair of *DOOM (2016)* and *Eternal* to a more grounded, gritty combat experience. For a deeper dive into our thoughts on the game, feel free to check out our comprehensive review below!
