Yet that is precisely the point of these releases – to be playable on their own. However, that won’t be the case.
The disc version of Gothic Remake has a major drawback: you can’t launch the game right away because you have to download a large update first. Originally released in 2001, Gothic is a classic Western RPG with a cult following. It boasts a harsh fantasy setting, an open world to explore, meaningful decisions related to quests, and extremely engaging progression systems. Developed by the now-defunct Piranha Bytes, the game debuted in Europe in March 2001 and arrived in North America in October. In early 2020, THQ Nordic, a subsidiary of the Embracer Group, officially greenlit the remake and handed the project over to Alkimia Interactive, a Spanish studio created specifically for this purpose.
Cancel your pre-orders! Gothic Remake is unplayable offline. THQ is withholding this info from customers! No proper marking on the package. No notice on the store page.
This was discovered through a copy of the game that was sent early by the official THQ Store. pic.twitter.com/CuqfnTrptV
— Does it play? (@DoesItPlay1) May 22, 2026
On May 22, DoesItPlay1 revealed on Twitter that the physical edition of Gothic 1 Remake is unplayable straight out of the box and shared a screenshot of the PlayStation 5 version displaying an error message stating that the game’s status cannot be verified and prompting the player to ensure an internet connection. According to DoesItPlay1, this issue occurred when launching the game from the disc. He added that the release is approximately 5 GB in size, a significant amount, and will not be playable without the update prepared for the release date. Neither the game’s PlayStation Store page nor any other source mentions the online login requirement or the day-one update. DoesItPlay1 called this a misleading omission and urged fans to cancel their pre-orders.
For us the most important thing is that people can play on launch date and time. To achieve that we sent out copies earlier.
Gothic 1 Remake will need a download of around 5 GB on launch day and will then be fully playable offline – NO permanent internet connection is needed. https://t.co/58sKC3xvTf
— Gothic Game (@gothicthegame) May 22, 2026
The official Gothic Twitter account responded that physical copies of the game cannot be played immediately after unboxing because early production was the only way to ensure buyers could play the game from day one. The statement also confirmed that the mandatory download will be approximately 5 GB, about 8% of the game’s installation size without the update. While this is inconvenient, it is a one-time requirement, as THQ Nordic noted that the remake will not require a constant internet connection. The full game will be playable offline after the day-one update is downloaded. Updates on launch day are standard practice for modern games, especially complex, choice-based RPGs like Gothic Remake. However, some developers make updates optional, allowing players to download them at their convenience and accommodating those who do not have a reliable, high-speed internet connection.
Gothic Remake will be released on June 5 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.
Source: GameRant
