DOOM: The Dark Ages fans are canceling their pre-orders in droves after learning that the game's physical disc contains only 85 MB, forcing players to download an additional 80 GB to play. This revelation has sparked widespread disappointment, especially after several retailers mistakenly shipped the game before its official release date.

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the account @DoesItPlay1 highlighted the issue with the physical release of DOOM: The Dark Ages. Does It Play is dedicated to game preservation and ensuring that physical editions of games are fully functional without an internet connection. However, DOOM: The Dark Ages requires an internet connection to download the necessary updates to become playable.

The post by @DoesItPlay1 ignited a conversation among fans, many of whom expressed their frustration and disappointment with Bethesda's decision. A significant number of fans have chosen to cancel their pre-orders, opting to wait for the digital release instead. The primary concern is the need for an internet connection to access the game, which makes them feel as though they do not truly own the physical copy.

Despite the backlash, early recipients of the game shared positive reviews on Reddit, praising the game's quality. Here at Game8, we awarded DOOM: The Dark Ages an impressive 88 out of 100. The game brings a brutal renaissance to the DOOM series, shifting from the aerial dynamics of DOOM (2016) and Eternal to a more grounded, gritty combat experience. For a deeper dive into our thoughts on the game, be sure to check out our detailed review below.