Welcome gamers to our roundtable discussion on Skydance’s BEHEMOTH, developed and published by Skydance Games. Initial impressions have been mostly positive, but it’s time for us to delve into the specifics. One critique I have noticed from multiple users is the floaty weight mechanics in combat and it’s certainly something we’ll be discussing today.
Right, CompletionistMaster. This game plays in a fully immersive VR environment and takes place in the Forsaken Lands. When it works well, the adventurous element of the game is stunning – traversing snowy tundras to swampy marshlands is thrilling and the size of the game world is impressive. We do have to talk about the complaint that there aren’t enough Behemoths in a game about Behemoths though.
Agreed, NewGamer. As a warrior fighting in this hazardous world, the controls and item usage do play a big role. The game has tried to include complex interactions like blade throws and the parry system, which can be interesting but also convoluted for some. The combat, as users have pointed out, can feel imprecise and unwieldy, which impacts the flow of the game.
In terms of gameplay speed, I’ve found the pacing to be quite balanced. The mix between monster fighting and puzzle-solving slows things down a bit, albeit the puzzles aren’t too challenging. The floating combat mechanics might slow down speedrunners, but it’s something we’d have to adapt to.
Let’s talk about the story and narrative; the post-apocalyptic theme is compelling and the world-building is immersing. The plot gives you just enough to stay invested, though I wouldn’t say it’s earth-shatteringly novel. As you play as Wren the Hunter, the narrative gives you a personal stake in combating the Behemoths and saving your village.
Skydance’s earlier work on The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners shines through in the visuals department for sure. The graphical detail, atmospheric lighting, and animations – particularly those of the menacing Behemoths – are excellent. They elevate the dark fantasy tone of the game, helping players feel more invested in the world.
Yes, and the audio does a fine job accompanying the visuals. The sound effects are immersive, especially when engaged in combat. Plus, the eerie soundtrack suits the dark fantasy theme very well. However, the voice acting, when present, could really use some improvement.
Wren’s character design is great – strong, yet empathetic. The NPC characters, from what we’ve seen, haven’t been as thoroughly developed. As far as replay value, there seems to be a technical issue with replaying bosses, as noted in some of the user reviews. This definitely hurts the game’s overall replay potential, but I trust the issues can be resolved in future updates.
All in all, Behemoth’s uniqueness actively lies in its combination of massive battles, puzzles, and VR interactivity. It combines the thrill of action combat with the awe-inspiring aspects of VR, and that’s what makes it a stand-out title. However, some improvements can turn this from a ‘good’ game to a ‘great’ one. For gamers interested in similar titles, Asgard’s Wrath and Lone Echo should be next on your list.
Wrapping up, Skydance has taken brave strides forward with their VR capabilities. If they can iron out the kinks, this game could be a remarkable accomplishment for VR gaming. Until then, gamers, venture forth to the Forsaken Lands and experience the magic of Skydance’s BEHEMOTH yourselves.
