Skydance’s Behemoth review

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2023’s Asgard’s Wrath 2 demonstrated that large-scale RPGs can thrive in virtual reality, although it doesn’t quite match Sanzaru Games’ exceptional effort. Nevertheless, the thrill of slashing opponents and accurately shooting them with a skillfully aimed arrow is undeniable. Unfortunately, the main attraction of Skydance’s Behemoth seldom appears, but encountering one of the massive bosses is a spectacle to witness. Despite some monotonous combat and a flawed checkpoint system, it offers plenty of enjoyment if you’re relatively new to VR gaming.

In a world where the Forsaken Lands are plagued by decay, it’s up to you to discover a remedy and restore your homeland to its past splendor. Although the narrative isn’t deeply immersive, the gameplay focuses on combat which offers an enjoyable experience. Wielding a sword gives you a taste of the fantasies you’ve always dreamed of, and striking foes with your weapon is gratifying. You can defend or parry, but occasionally, the reaction speed isn’t optimal. On occasions when I believed I had blocked effectively, monsters seemed to attack me without hindrance.

As a fan, I found the colossal Behemoths at the heart of the game to be visually breathtaking and equipped with some nifty mechanics that you must master to avoid their attacks. Admittedly, I wished there were more of these giants, but even in the roughly eight hours spent alongside Skydance’s Behemoth, they became something exciting to anticipate rather than common occurrences. Up close, their sheer size is unparalleled, and it’s a sensation that stands out – particularly in virtual reality. I can’t help but hope other studios draw inspiration from this experience because the thrill of having my breath taken away like that never fades.

The role I portrayed, Wren, exudes an air of toughness. Despite rot being generally detrimental in the Forsaken Lands, it grants you the power to inflict greater damage through rage. This feature is frequently unlocked, providing a welcome respite from the combat’s occasional monotony. Scattered throughout are simple puzzles and navigation remains straightforward, yet I always found the grapple hook enjoyable. You can enhance this tool, along with your weaponry, offering performance boosts in both movement and combat. However, these improvements sometimes lead to a repetitive experience.

No matter which part of Skydance’s Behemoth you find yourself in, the graphics are quite striking. Although each area seems somewhat similar to the last one you explored, the settings are rich with detail. The small visual elements on your character are particularly noteworthy, like the switching grip on your sword. It’s one of the more visually appealing VR games I’ve played in recent times, and stepping into those snowy mountains made me feel as if I had returned to Skyrim. While a bit more diversity would have been nice, I must admit that the game still looked fantastic.

In Skydance’s Behemoth, the combat might be simple to grasp but tough to perfect, making it a pleasurable experience overall. However, the most irritating aspect of this game is its checkpointing system. I expected better from developers, considering that replaying lengthy conversations prior to a boss fight each time you die is not something players generally appreciate. Sadly, this is an issue you’ll have to endure. Given the challenging nature of combat and the frequent occurrence of death, having to listen to the same dialogue repetitively becomes more than just frustrating. Moreover, inconsistent checkpointing can disrupt immersion unnecessarily.

Skydance’s Behemoth boasts an astounding size, and while its boss battles are awe-inspiring, the periods in between can seem dull. Repeating the same type of enemy gets repetitive, but with some captivating visuals and straightforward combat, you’ll still find your time exploring the Forsaken Lands rewarding. The checkpoint system can be excessively frustrating at times, bordering on irritation that might make you want to quit, but it remains a strong game worth considering.

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2025-01-08 15:46