DOOM is just one of two highly anticipated titles coming out this week, with Uncharted 4 dropping today in the wake of some phenomenal reviews from last week (and yesterday). While Naughty Dog and Sony gave most reviewers plenty of time to get behind the game before launch, Bethesda and ID Software aren’t doing the same for DOOM. In fact, most journalists won’t even be getting their hands on the game until release day – with everyone else.
Bethesda began sending the following message out to most media outlets, explaining why DOOM needs the full launch to be accurately measured and reviewed. Similar to most games with a heavy multiplayer focus, it all has to do with servers.
“DOOM is a robust game comprised of a single-player campaign, online multiplayer, and SnapMap. 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.”
And that’s perfectly fine. Many games of this nature end up having review events ahead of time to try and simulate online conditions, or make special plans to have servers online for critics beforehand. Neither really replicate real life, which can often lead to inaccurate experiences (both good and bad). Bethesda seem to want to ensure that every bit of DOOM is sampled before a score is attached, and that’s perfectly fine.
But it’s always a bit of a red flag when a game launches without reviews, and even more so when critics aren’t even given access before the game hits shelves. DOOM had its own beta last month to give everyone an early chance to play, and the game seems to be ready for launch. But a small vertical slice has fooled once before, and it can again at anytime.
I’m not trying to suggest DOOM will be a train wreck at launch. No one has any way of knowing that. But if you’re slightly concerned maybe it’s best to hold off on that pre-order and just wait a few days. The demons won’t go anywhere. We promise.
Last Updated: May 10, 2016
Alien Emperor Trevor
May 10, 2016 at 07:39
Yeah… no. I thought it’s meant to have a “robust” SP campaign. That could be reviewed. I don’t give a fuck about the MP part because I’m not interested in playing Q3A.
Captain JJ bound
May 10, 2016 at 07:41
Yea. It looks like the interest in the MP has now got them looking at their wallets instead.
Alien Emperor Trevor
May 10, 2016 at 07:51
Exactly. MP first, SP second.
Captain JJ bound
May 10, 2016 at 08:27
See where that got Elder Scrolls. It’s like Bethesda just doesn’t want to learn.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 10, 2016 at 08:28
*MTs first…
Skyblue
May 10, 2016 at 18:06
I wish it was Q3A for the multiplayer. The MP Beta felt like a gimped version of Q3 with limited movement and oversized weapons but I’m also primarily interested in the SP so all good there… gulp, I hope. Will now be waiting for a few reviews to land methinks.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 10, 2016 at 07:42
So review the SP first and the hamster wheel part later.
Captain JJ bound
May 10, 2016 at 07:44
I suppose they want people to review the game as a whole, I can understand that to some extent.
For R800 though it’s going to have to wait a few months before I even look at the game.
Admiral Chief in New York
May 10, 2016 at 07:46
Speaking of R800…..I’m really considering getting Overwatch….Oh well, will have to enter comps for it
Captain JJ bound
May 10, 2016 at 08:27
I find R600 already a bit steep since most games are around R500-R550. R800 is just crazy.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 10, 2016 at 08:33
I still say that you can’t charge AAA price for PVP only. COD and BF knows this.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 10, 2016 at 08:36
They compensate with a weekends worth of SP, which to me is no longer enough, take Bloodborne for instance, I’ve had it for close to a year now and have managed to level up my character, best gametime vs money buy I’ve ever made…
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 10, 2016 at 08:34
You know what’s even worse? DS3 was retailing at the ridiculous price of R950 at certain specific shops…
Captain JJ bound
May 10, 2016 at 08:49
That’s insane.
I pre-ordered Fallout 4 (physical copy) last year for R400. At the same time it was selling on Steam for R800. And they want us to believe that digital is the way to go.
Pariah
May 10, 2016 at 08:50
Digital is the way to go… When there are 50%+ discounts 6 months after launch. Retail is stuck at launch pricing/full price at that point.
Captain JJ bound
May 10, 2016 at 08:52
I agree with that. Digital is the way to go…after release. But day of release pricing, no ways.
I rarely buy on release. Only did so three times in the past three years. So it doesn’t bother me too much. Humble Store always has the good stuff not too much later for a fraction of the price.
Speaking of which….I should really download Mad Max.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 10, 2016 at 09:32
It is magnificent! Do IT!!! Batman of Mordor in the wasteland with cars couldn’t be done any better!
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 10, 2016 at 09:34
The retail pricing, depending on where you buy can be stuck on day one prices for up to 5 years, I saw a copy of Crysis retailing for more than it’s day one price five years after release…
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 10, 2016 at 09:13
The funny thing is that the digital copy is the cheaper one, I kid you not, currently it’s going for R799 on Steam, R950 at BT… Humble monthly is the way I went now….stuff this day one nonsense…
Admiral Chief in New York
May 10, 2016 at 10:44
Warframe is free
Captain JJ bound
May 10, 2016 at 10:58
^ why I need to give it a try. I’ll just have to make time to join you baffoons. And you too Admiral (see what I did there? – I’m being nice to you)
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 10, 2016 at 07:47
Except most people aren’t looking for the whole experience. Destiny had to learn that the hard way. Their community was split down the middle because of PVE vs. PVP players
Admiral Chief in New York
May 10, 2016 at 07:50
Oh so you’ve ostracized yourself from “them” already?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 10, 2016 at 07:51
them who?
Admiral Chief in New York
May 10, 2016 at 07:59
xD
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 10, 2016 at 08:31
Player versus environment versus player versus player versus microtransaction versus player versus environment versus microtransaction versus player?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 10, 2016 at 08:32
http://www.thewineandfoodreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/versus+1.jpg
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 10, 2016 at 08:32
AHAAAAH!!!
Strawman Jim
May 10, 2016 at 09:02
hehehe “hamster wheel part”!
Raptor Rants
May 10, 2016 at 07:53
Wait… So the claims of a robust SP campaign are what? What would be wrong having a site do 2 reviews? SP review and then a complete review after launch? A post-review of sorts?
I smell a rat.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
May 10, 2016 at 07:55
Exactly, I smell one too. O wait, I stepped in some Collector’s Edition
Raptor Rants
May 10, 2016 at 09:30
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. STAHP! You are going to make me lolgag all over again
Jonah Cash
May 10, 2016 at 07:59
I said two years ago that all games of this sort should have 2 separate reviews. Not everyone want to play the multiplayer. I have been in the Dark Zone for 2 hours and in the single player of The Division for over 35 hours. As a single player game it is very good. Would have paid just to play the single player part.
Dutch Matrix
May 10, 2016 at 08:06
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!! Here’s the thing. I pre ordered. Special Edition nogal. because I smaak me a Revenant should watch me 24/7. Even if it is only a statue of it.
So no review on launch day is not the end of the world. It is a chance I take. Fine. A possibly expensive chance I’ll admit.
But then again, reviews are a dime a dozen, and putting your faith in them alone is from my experience a bit silly.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
May 10, 2016 at 08:40
This is not the smell of a rat, to me, this smells like someone is purposefully hiding bits of tuna everywhere behind the curtains, in the ceiling, behind the fridge by the radiator and for a special precaution just some inside the PC… The game has been hyped to the point where it has already gone way too far, to add insult to injury, the multiplayer is really not all that great.
Strawman Jim
May 10, 2016 at 09:01
The MP can suck monkey balls. I want to know about the SP campaign!
miaau
May 10, 2016 at 09:26
Is this one where you go into hell and shoot monsters of increasing difficulty until you, after several level design changes, get out and embrace your wife? ……
Yeah, perhaps your wife is possessed and becomes the 2nd end boss fight?
Dutch Matrix
May 10, 2016 at 09:39
I would love a “Get the Girl/Guy” plotline to Doom. Like fighting hellbeasts with a romantic overtone.
Like when you shoot the Cacodemon in the face your character spontaneously bursts into “How can we be lovers if we can’t be friends?”
Strawman Jim
May 10, 2016 at 11:06
Only the 2nd end level boss? Oh dear sir, you clearly don’t know my wife… 😮
miaau
May 10, 2016 at 11:08
I wanted to add more, but my wife sometimes lurks here.
And, since it is a game, anything can happen.
Even Dutct Matrix request for choreographed dance and song numbers, with demons and monsters joining the player in a festival of song and dance. Killing can wait till song is finished,better be up on these QTE;s
Sageville
May 10, 2016 at 10:41
Indeed…
Clay Hatrison
May 10, 2016 at 18:02
Bethesda is obviously taking advantage of players’ nostalgia. They know they can sell more games if there aren’t negative reviews out ahead of launch. I’m mostly interested in the campaign, and $60 is too much to pay for a crappy game.