If you’re a Doom fan who fell in love with the franchise’s medieval-themed spinoff, you’ve probably had your eye on the Doom the Dark Ages - Collector's Bundle for a while. I picked mine up three weeks after launch, and I’ve spent enough time digging through every included item, testing the exclusive in-game content, and comparing it to the standard edition to say whether it’s worth the extra cash. A lot of collector bundles end up being overpriced packs of low-quality junk, but this one has real value for both casual players and franchise completionists, depending on what you’re looking for out of your purchase.
What’s Included in the Doom the Dark Ages - Collector's Bundle?
The bundle splits its content evenly between physical collectibles and digital in-game extras, so you get value both for your shelf and your playtime. I was shocked at how little filler there is here, compared to other AAA game collector packs I’ve bought that only throw in a cheap keychain and a single skin to justify the price hike. The full list of items includes:
- Physical 12-inch statue of the Doom Slayer in full medieval crusader armor, with hand-painted weathered detail and a weighted base to prevent tipping
- Exclusive steelbook case with alternate art of the Hell Priest’s citadel set in 12th-century France, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints
- Digital copy of the base game + all three post-launch DLC packs, including the unreleased Rise of the Fallen Templar expansion that drops six months after launch
- Exclusive in-game weapon skins for the crucible sword, combat shotgun, and BFG 9000, all with subtle medieval engravings that don’t block your field of view
- Original 2-disc vinyl soundtrack of the game’s iconic mix of heavy metal and medieval Gregorian chant, composed by long-time Doom collaborator Mick Gordon
The vinyl alone sells for $35 on secondary markets right now, and the three DLC packs cost $40 if bought separately from the standard edition. If you do the math, you’re basically paying $25 extra for the statue, steelbook, and exclusive skins, which is a way better deal than most collector bundles offer. I also found a hidden digital download code for the soundtrack tucked inside the vinyl sleeve, so you can add the tracks to your gaming playlist without having to spin the record every time you want to listen.
Is the Exclusive In-Game Content Pay-to-Win?
This is the first question I had before I bought the bundle, because I hate when developer lock competitive advantages behind expensive special editions. I’m happy to say that none of the exclusive content gives you any edge in either single player or multiplayer modes. The weapon skins are purely cosmetic, and the only other digital extras are a set of multiplayer lobby emblems and banner frames that don’t affect your stats at all.
I tested the exclusive crucible skin for 12 runs of the game’s hardest “Unworthy” difficulty, and it deals exactly the same damage as the default skin, with no hidden buffs or faster attack speed. I was worried the engraved shotgun skin would have extra glare that makes it harder to aim in the game’s dark castle and forest levels, but the devs kept the detailing subtle enough that it doesn’t interfere with visibility at all. None of the collector’s bundle content locks you out of any core gameplay, so players who buy the standard edition don’t miss out on any story beats, boss fights, or game mechanics.
For example, I main the combat shotgun in 90% of my multiplayer matches, and I found the darker engraved skin actually blends in better with the shadowy parts of the Dark Forest map, which is a nice bonus. But it doesn’t make me hit my shots any more often, so there’s no unfair advantage for players who splurge on the bundle.
Who Should Actually Buy This Collector’s Bundle?
This pack isn’t for everyone, and I don’t recommend dropping the extra cash just because it says “collector’s edition” on the label. But it’s an incredible deal for two specific groups of players. First, completionist Doom franchise collectors will love the limited-run statue and steelbook, which are only produced for the first three months of the game’s release. Unopened first-run bundles are already selling for 30% over retail price on secondhand sites, so they’re likely to hold their value for years to come.
Second, players who plan to sink 50+ hours into the game will save money long-term by buying the bundle instead of the standard edition. The three DLC packs add 15+ hours of single player content and 3 new multiplayer maps, so if you know you’re going to play the game regularly, you’ll end up paying less overall by buying the bundle upfront.
If you’re a casual player who only plays a few hours a week, you’re probably better off buying the standard edition first. You can always buy the DLC later if you end up loving the game, and you won’t waste money on physical merch you don’t care about. If you’re on the fence, wait for a holiday sale: the bundle usually gets a 20% discount 3-4 months after launch, which makes it an even better deal if you don’t mind waiting a bit.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Bundle Purchase
After using my bundle for a couple months, I picked up a few easy tips to make sure you get every bit of value out of your purchase. First, if you keep the physical statue, hold onto the original box and packaging. Even if you don’t plan to resell it right now, keeping the packaging intact doubles its resale value if you ever decide to sell it down the line. I learned this the hard way when I threw out the box for my 2016 Doom collector’s statue, and it’s worth half as much as boxed copies now.
Second, redeem your DLC code immediately to avoid expiration headaches. Most bundle codes expire 12 months after the game’s launch, and I almost forgot to redeem mine, only noticing when I had two weeks left before it expired. You don’t have to download the DLC right away, but redeeming the code ties it to your account permanently so you don’t lose access later.
Third, test out the weapon skins in the practice range before using them in high-stakes multiplayer matches. Even though they don’t affect gameplay, you might find you prefer the default skin’s brighter color scheme for lighter maps like the Crusader’s Courtyard, where the darker engraved skin is harder to see when you’re aiming down sights. I also recommend scanning the QR code on the back of the steelbook to unlock a free digital copy of the game’s art book, which most players don’t even know exists.
At the end of the day, the Doom the Dark Ages - Collector's Bundle is one of the best-value AAA game collector packs I’ve bought in years. It doesn’t rely on cheap filler to justify its price, and the included content is useful for both players who care about physical collectibles and those who just want extra game content. It’s not worth the extra cost for every player, but if you’re a long-time Doom fan or you plan to sink dozens of hours into the game, it’s an easy purchase that you won’t regret.
