Over the course of the last 8 years, Skydance Games has firmly established itself as a premier studio in the VR gaming industry. As the developer of the hugely popular The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, they set a high benchmark for immersive VR experiences, blending realistic physics and intense gameplay with rich storytelling. Now, they are set to raise the bar even higher with their upcoming release, Skydance’s BEHEMOTH.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Skydance Games offices for an exclusive demo of BEHEMOTH. During my visit, I was treated to a substantial demo, as well as a detailed Q&A session with Shawn Kittelsen, Vice President of Creative for Skydance’s BEHEMOTH, who was very candid and answered all of my questions.
Game Overview
Let’s start with the basics. Skydance’s BEHEMOTH is a cinematic, story driven, action adventure that features visceral, physics based, hand to hand combat. Set to release in Fall 2024 (possibly October), BEHEMOTH will be available on all major VR platforms, including Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, and PCVR. Priced at $39.99 USD, it promises to deliver a one of a kind action-adventure experience.
Setting and Story
BEHEMOTH immerses players in a dark, medieval fantasy world known as the Forsaken Lands. Those who reside in these lands are stricken with madness due to a mysterious curse known as The Rot, which causes them to lash out with ravenous ferocity. The land itself is steeped in tragedy, its once-thriving civilization now reduced to ruins and chaos. Amidst this turmoil, players take on the role of Wren the Hunter, a cursed warrior who rises from near-death with a mysterious mission.
The Rot is central to the story, being the curse that has infected the inhabitants of the Forsaken Lands. While it has taken the minds of many, turning them into violent foes, Wren has a unique connection to it. Instead of driving him to madness, The Rot grants Wren superhuman strength, making him a formidable force against the monstrous Behemoths and the cursed inhabitants. This twist adds a layer of complexity to Wren’s journey, as players will surely encounter surprises as they hunt down the hulking Behemoths and learn more about their own connection to The Rot.
Gameplay Mechanics
Combat
BEHEMOTH features visceral, physics-based hand-to-hand combat that demands precision and strategy. Players will need to angle their blades or shields correctly to strike limbs and block incoming blows. The melee system includes a tight parry window for staggering enemies and dodge moves for evading unblockable attacks. Weapons have a tangible weight, making each swing and block feel impactful.
A unique twist in combat is Wren’s ability to harness The Rot, granting him superhuman strength for a limited time. This power-up mode allows Wren to perform brutal finishers, smash through obstacles, and tear through legions of enemies with ease. The grappling hook also plays a crucial role in combat, enabling players to send enemies flying, retrieve distant weapons, and use their environment to gain an advantage.
Exploration
The Forsaken Lands are filled with hidden items, crafting materials, and collectibles. Players are encouraged to stray off the beaten path to discover these treasures. Crafting stations allow players to concoct healing potions and other useful items. Additionally, players can find hero weapons that can be upgraded and customized, providing unique abilities and enhancing combat effectiveness.
The game also features environmental puzzles that require players to use their surroundings creatively. For example, players might need to use the grappling hook to manipulate objects or access hard-to-reach areas. These puzzles add depth to the exploration experience and reward completionists for taking their time.
Traversal
Traversal in BEHEMOTH is challenging, yet fun. The grappling hook is essential to move through the game’s vertical landscapes. Players can use it to scale cliffs, rappel down ruins, and launch themselves across gaps. The traversal mechanics are designed to feel smooth and intuitive, requiring very little practice to master.
The game also includes climbing mechanics reminiscent of Shadow of the Colossus. Players will need to climb the massive Behemoths to reach and attack their weak points. It’s this experience that truly sets the game apart, as players must navigate these colossal creatures while avoiding their powerful attacks.
Visuals and Performance
BEHEMOTH leverages the power of Unreal Engine 5 to deliver stunning visuals and highly immersive gameplay. The game features highly detailed environments, from desolate wastelands to towering mountain ruins, all rendered with cinematic quality. The dark, medieval fantasy aesthetic is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail, making every location feel both haunting and beautiful.
Shawn Kittelsen, Vice President of Creative for Skydance’s BEHEMOTH, was keen to point out that the team is targeting native frame rates on all platforms. The Quest 2 version is clocking in at 72 FPS, while Quest 3, PS VR2, and PCVR all aim to run at 90 FPS. This ensures a smooth and immersive experience, regardless of the platform.
With regard to PlayStation VR2 specifically, the team at Skydance Games makes full use of the platform’s feature set to deliver a level of quality that is equivalent to that of the PC version set to the “ultra” graphics preset. During my hands-on experience with the PS VR2 version, the high level of detail was immediately noticeable. The game utilizes the platform’s capabilities to deliver truly next-gen VR visuals, with sharp textures, realistic lighting, and intricate character models. The environments felt alive, with weather effects like snow and wind adding to the overall atmosphere.
Length and Replayability
BEHEMOTH is designed to offer a relatively substantial campaign, with the main storyline expected to take between 10 to 12 hours to complete. The game is structured into four main story chapters, each divided into three acts. At the end of each chapter, players will face a Behemoth boss fight, culminating in epic confrontations that test all the skills and strategies developed throughout the game.
Replayability is a key focus for Skydance Games. Beyond the main story, players are encouraged to explore the Forsaken Lands thoroughly. The game rewards exploration with hidden items, collectibles, and environmental puzzles. These elements provide additional challenges and incentives for players to revisit areas and discover everything the game has to offer.
Hero weapons add another layer of replayability. These special weapons, which players can find and upgrade throughout their journey, offer unique abilities and can be customized. This allows players to experiment with different combat styles and strategies, further enhancing the game’s replay value.
Overall, BEHEMOTH promises not only a rich and immersive main campaign but also plenty of reasons to dive back into the Forsaken Lands long after the final boss has been defeated.
Hands On Impressions
Before I give my impressions of the demo I’d like to thank the team at Skydance Games for being so accommodating to me and my colleagues. Even though I had been invited for a brief 15-minute demo, I was allowed to explore the game freely at my own pace, ultimately spending nearly an hour in the PS VR2 headset. During my time at the Skydance offices, I must have asked dozens of questions, all of which were met with thoughtful and detailed responses.
The game made an immediate impression on me as the production value was just off the charts. It was clear from the start that this game is leveraging the full capability of the PS VR2 hardware to deliver a highly immersive VR experience. While I wasn’t initially blown away with the minute-to-minute gameplay, it didn’t take long for me to discover the nuances that set BEHEMOTH apart from other melee based titles. My character’s superhuman strength and deadly accurate grappling hook quickly transformed what first seemed like a standard parry-and-attack action game into a brutally dark power fantasy that had me dismembering enemies through sheer reflex.
As I ripped and slashed my way through the level, I started to feel a rush of excitement, my blood lust growing stronger as I destroyed every foe who dared to stand against me. As I neared the end of the level, I was feeling pretty good about myself, almost drunk with power. That’s when the sobering thud of the Behemoth’s massive ball and chain brought me back to Earth, both figuratively and literally.
It was at this moment, when standing before what the team referred to as the “baby Behemoth,” that I fully realized the massive potential of this title. The sheer scale of my final foe was breathtaking. I could feel the weight and power of this massive creature, as its every move made a lasting impact on the terrain around me. My first instinct was to just stand there and stare, paralyzed by the mere presence of such a creature. I was crushed into a bloody pulp a few times before I finally got my act together and took the fight to this monster. I’ll refrain from further description of what happened next, as I really want you to experience this for yourself.
Conclusion
I’ll conclude by stating a fact that should be abundantly obvious by now: Skydance’s BEHEMOTH brings with it the kind of “wow” moments that are only possible in VR. It’s experiences like this that serve to remind us all why we became VR gamers in the first place, and why we continue to keep the faith as we wait for the next amazing experience.
For the latest on Skydance’s BEHEMOTH, check out the official website and stay tuned to XR Update.
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