Before purchasing a physical copy of Doom: The Dark Ages, users should be aware of a catch with the download process.
The agonizing wait for Doom: The Dark Ages is finally almost over. The review embargo has lifted, and first impressions have been overwhelmingly positive. If you still haven’t had a chance to pre-order the game, check out our preload guide so you know how much free storage space you need.
Not everyone will want to wait until the official release date, though. Check out our early access guide to learn more about how you can get in before everyone else. But before deciding which edition to purchase, players should know everything about physical copies.
Doom: The Dark Ages Physical Edition Comes With a Catch
Gaming reporter Stealth revealed, “The physical edition of Doom The Dark Ages is basically a Switch 2 Key Card (without being on Switch 2). There is a little data on disc, but the majority needs to be downloaded and can’t be played from the physical media alone.”
One of the main reasons collectors enjoy having physical editions of video games instead of digital copies is that they have full ownership of the game, and they can be played without an internet connection. Forcing players to download most of the game anyway isn’t as appealing.
Stealth used the example of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which had a similar setup. Collecting physical games has become even more challenging recently. When converted from Euros, Nintendo Switch 2 games will cost up to $98 for physical games.
Consoles are only getting more expensive too, as Trump’s tariffs could reportedly push console prices up by 69%. The standard PS5 with a disc drive already costs $50 more than a digital-only PS5, and it’s about to become even more expensive.
In other gaming news, Activision wants to take down the Cronus Zen manufacturer, Xbox Game Pass didn’t help Call of Duty’s player count, and Fallout Season 2 has officially wrapped production.
Will you still purchase a physical edition of Doom: The Dark Ages? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Forums.
