Skydance’s latest VR offering, Behemoth, brings a wealth of experience from its earlier hit, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Although its storyline may seem typical for an action-adventure title, in the VR realm, its grand scale and immersive execution help it make a significant impact.
Skydance’s Behemoth Details:
- Developer: Skydance Games
- Available On: Quest 2/3/Pro, PSVR 2, Meta PC (coming to SteamVR)
- Reviewed On: Quest 3
- Release Date: December 5th, 2024
- Price: $40
Gameplay
In Behemoth, you step into the shoes of Wren, a villager plagued by a fast-acting curse. Inspired by Princess Mononoke, this curse is a mixed blessing—dooming you to a grim future while also granting you superhuman abilities to tackle the dark forces overrunning a once-thriving kingdom. The adventure pushes you through treacherous paths and crumbling castles, battling various cursed enemies and enormous trolls wreaking havoc.
The game employs a physics-based melee combat system that encourages creativity in battle. Parrying attacks opens enemies to follow-up strikes, while reckless moves consume your stamina, adding a strategic layer to each encounter. Every adversary demands your attention, each with unique styles and characteristics demanding quick thinking and adaptation.
There are handy shortcuts, such as smashing through armor using your curse-enhanced strength or employing the legendary weapons gleaned along your journey. These include a two-handed sword, a self-reloading bow, and a mighty axe, all upgradable with Coloss Alloy, the game’s currency.
While weapon upgrades are the primary crafting mechanic, the presence of unutilized medicinal plants suggests a missed opportunity for a deeper crafting system. Nevertheless, health potions are plentiful, looted from fallen foes along your path.
The game features environmental puzzles and mini-bosses, but what truly stands out are the epic battles against the namesake Behemoths—huge creatures challenging your skills in gripping, multi-stage encounters. These battles require precise strikes on weak spots, requiring players to climb and grapple around the giants. These encounters are thrilling, albeit with some guidance from your witch-like companion.
Collectibles offer little more than bits of backstory, but the main gameplay loop is streamlined and purposeful. Throughout my nine-hour adventure, the essential elements felt amply rewarding, whether scouring locations for Coloss Alloy or health potions.
Immersion
The protagonists, Wren, and his inner witch guide, maintain a balance without overwhelming you with constant chatter. The absence of overbearing guidance allows for a more immersive experience, which is often lost in games relying on handholding.
The voice acting is solid but one main character delivers lines too dramatically, clashing with the otherwise gritty atmosphere. Look past the trope-laden storyline, and you’ll find a richly detailed world, with satisfying combat and mechanics that fully utilize the VR platform.
While one might find larger battles occasionally predictable with enemy AI not quite matching the fluidity of zombies from Saints & Sinners, the overall experience is thoroughly engaging. The game excels at presenting unique levels to explore and stunning encounters, making up for any narrative shortcomings.
Comfort
Behemoth is physically engaging but accommodates both sitting and standing play. Clearing space is crucial as two-handed interactions are frequent. The game offers smooth locomotion options but provides adjustable settings for comfort, ensuring a pleasant experience for all players.
In conclusion, Behemoth exemplifies what can be achieved on the Quest 3, showcasing impressive visuals and gameplay that would turn heads even a few years ago. Its grand scale and tightly executed mechanics offer an impressive package in the world of VR gaming.
