Skydance's Behemoth Is Delivering Strong Combat With Impressive Bosses

Skydance’s Behemoth continues to impress with gripping fight and VR-first design. Listed here are our newest impressions.

It isn’t typically I am going to preview the identical VR sport twice earlier than launch, however I am going to fortunately make an exception for Skydance’s Behemoth. Lately confirmed for launch this November, you play as Wren, a hunter touring throughout the cursed Forsaken Lands who’s trying to slay the titular monstrosities. Behemoth makes use of brutal physics-driven melee-based fight that permits you to minimize, maim, bludgeon, and kill enemies who stand in your approach whereas exploring totally different areas.

We beforehand tried Behemoth on PSVR 2 in Might. On the time, we known as it a “promising VR fantasy motion RPG” with an “interesting presentation and satisfying but brutal physics-based fight.” This preview largely focuses on the brand new content material, and I beforehand coated the principle gameplay mechanics, weapons, primary exploration, and extra in my earlier demo. You possibly can learn that beneath.

At Gamescom, I went hands-on with the PC VR model through Quest 3. As an alternative of traversing a snowy tundra that the Shacklehide calls house, my newest preview noticed me going through the equally fearsome Dreddstag, which passed off throughout a dry, largely barren surroundings.

The Dreddstag demo largely focuses on motion, although it offered a welcome perception into the challenges exploration can supply. Two paths lay forward of me quickly after beginning the place I might select to choose the simpler route by way of, or choose a more durable route that concerned grappling from one ledge to a different. I admittedly did not clear the more difficult route, however I respect that it is an possibility.

A short encounter with human enemies adopted and fight nonetheless feels satisfyingly deadly. Creating a gap by parrying earlier than ruthlessly entering into for the kill along with your sword is nice enjoyable, and it did not take lengthy to come across the Dreddstag. Climbing this hulking big requires strategic pondering that makes use of the surroundings effectively, and it is a more durable combat than the Shacklehide.

I will not element precisely how this combat unfolded since I do not want to spoil this large second, however VR’s sense of presence actually shines on this second. You could not obtain this in a flatscreen sport like Shadow of the Colossus, I might really feel that sense of concern and accomplishment as I continued ascending. This mountain of a monster employs some intelligent methods and the sport signposts the place it is advisable go in a approach that is useful with out being blatantly apparent.

I am inspired that these bosses really feel so totally different to combat; I am not simply repeating methods used in opposition to Shacklehide. Chipping away at this boss step by step as you proceed climbing appears like your laborious work is being rewarded, even when I did get shaken off on a number of events. I hope this selection would not dip with the remaining bosses come full launch.

A short Q&A after this demo adopted with Brian Murphy, Sport Director for Skydance’s Behemoth. After discussing my demo progress, Murphy supplied some insights into how Skydance designed the Dreddstag. The crew wished to keep away from making fights a collection of fast time occasions (QTE) and create a “seamless, absolutely simulated, gigantic monster” the place you’ll be able to “actually really feel the size.”

Murphy confirmed that designing such large-scale fights and the behaviors round programming them includes “bits of online game wizardry.” Seeing individuals ziplining throughout the Dreddstag makes Murphy significantly pleased since there is a technical problem concerned with locking a grappling hook onto a transferring goal.

We wished to take every part that we had carried out within the Saints and Sinners with fight after which we mentioned “What else can we do in VR that now we have a novel viewpoint on?” The size and dimension was fantastic, and that was how we arrived at that Shadow of the Colossus angle… We have additionally put a ton of labor into ensuring individuals aren’t sick whereas additionally remaining uncompromising with the expertise. We wish you to be clinging to [the Dreddstag’s] arm as he tries to shake it.”

We quickly contact upon the upcoming Behemoth graphic novel, which takes place lengthy earlier than your journey begins within the sport. Skydance Video games desires to painting “hundreds of years” of historical past earlier than you even choose up your sword. Murphy suggested how there’s additionally a whole lot of objects throughout the sport that element this story additional whereas sustaining a VR-oriented strategy.

“The interplay for consuming the world is cool. You possibly can choose up a cranium, crush the cranium, and the reminiscences of long-dead individuals from the Forsaken Lands echo in your mind.”

Environmental storytelling is a giant a part of Skydance’s strategy, and Murphy factors to Fallout New Vegas as an affect behind this. He particularly notes a New Vegas second the place yow will discover two people who find themselves lengthy lifeless after getting concerned in a card sport.

“You have a look at the desk, and one of many gamers has bought 5 aces. And you then’re like, “Ah, yeah, I see what occurred.” This man was dishonest, and he bought killed, and you then discover the audio log later, and also you get to hearken to it. We tried to do one thing comparable, and when you go off the crushed path, you will discover these little tales.”

Skydance’s Behemoth arrives on Quest, PSVR 2, and Steam on November 14. Pre-orders embody the Historic Hero’s Sword, Thornwood Bow, Behemoth Bone Axe, and Bronze Grappling Hook.