As we’ve done in the past, we want to give you a heads up on review timing of a major release. Bethesda informed us earlier this week that Doom review copies would not arrive before the public release.[Excerpt]
The company provided a statement on the matter, suggesting that the multiplayer and SnapMap components are driving the decision. Bethesda says it wants players to take the game as a “complete package.”
“DOOM is a robust game comprised of a single-player campaign, online multiplayer, and SnapMap,” the publisher says. “All three elements are important parts of the complete DOOM experience and are meant to be experienced as part of a complete package. As DOOM’s SnapMap and multiplayer modes both require access to a server that won’t be live prior to launch, review copies will arrive on launch day.”
Console players should carve out 50 GB of storage space for the game. PC players need 55 GB.
Look for our review early next week after we get a chance to play the various modes.
Our Take
This is becoming more common as games have more integrated online components. In games like this (and Battleborn last week), in which there is a standalone campaign, I’m not sure I understand the approach. We put this forward simply as a point of information for those interesting in critical feedback before making a purchasing decision.