Skydance’s latest VR title, Behemoth (2024), has just received a significant update aimed at addressing some of the feedback from players about the game’s combat mechanics, which the developers themselves have labeled as "controversial."
While not everyone found fault with it upon release—myself included—a segment of the player base did voice concerns after its December 5th debut on platforms like Quest 2/3/Pro, PSVR 2, and PC VR through the Horizon Store and Steam.
In response, Skydance Games has rolled out a patch for all platforms. This update brings adjustments to the game’s physics-based mechanics, which prominently features melee combat against human foes.
Now, let’s get straight to the heart of the matter: while some players embrace the combat as it is, others have highlighted issues such as stamina depletion, the difficulty of parrying, and the narrow timing required to dodge attacks. Skydance acknowledged these concerns, assuring players that they haven’t overhauled the system but have instead made refinements for a more forgiving experience regarding stamina, parrying, and dodging. They believe these changes will improve gameplay for everyone.
Moreover, the game now offers a ‘Freestyle Mode’ in beta, which dramatically reduces the stamina drain in all scenarios except climbing. The patch also addresses other aspects like boss fight dynamics, enemy AI behavior, and overall stability improvements across the board.
For those interested, you can delve into the full patch notes, which contain minor spoilers, or read below for a spoiler-free summary.
QUEST SPECIFIC
Player Experience
- A "Shader compiling" screen now appears during loading, clearing up potential confusion at startup.
- Haptic feedback has been added to the Main Menu.
- Fixed a crash in Arena Mode [BETA] when striking the gong under certain conditions.
- Enhanced climbing interactions and improved collision handling.
- Resolved blockers like the Nightscraper fight and Ragnar missing during tutorials.
Gameplay
- Improved collision detection to stop players from clipping through geometry.
- Fixed rare clipping issues with Dreddstag and Shacklehide leg climbing.
- Keys now properly respawn in ghost form after saving and reloading.
- Better enemy reaction and state transitions during combat.
- Enhanced hand grips and IK for ropes.
Art & Audio
- Environment textures and lighting received upgrades, particularly on Quest 3.
- Visual glitches, such as floating assets, have been reduced.
- Music now continues during the Shacklehide encounter.
ALL PLATFORMS
Progression Blockers
- Fixed issues related to enemies like Kragjaeger and Shacklehide not spawning or causing soft locks.
- Fast Travel becomes available post-campaign for further exploration.
Combat Updates
- Dodge now includes 0.5 seconds of invulnerability.
- Standard enemies are vulnerable to one-hit kill headshots.
- Parry/block angles adjusted for easier execution.
- Stamina drain balanced across all difficulty levels.
- ‘Freestyle Mode (BETA)’ offers minimal stamina drain (though achievements/trophies are disabled here).
- Tweaks made to Tenderfoot difficulty to decrease enemy damage.
Miniboss and Boss Tuning
- Adjusted miniboss difficulty and fixed associated glitches.
- Ragnar’s health and attack rate have been increased.
Level Updates
- Fixed necessary interactions in zones like Shacklehide’s arena, Zephyr’s Pass, and Throne Room.
- Improved puzzle mechanics and access to chests in Duskhold and other locations.
Miscellaneous Fixes
- Overall stability has been significantly enhanced with crash fixes.
- Resolved lighting, visual popping, and voice-over timing issues.
- Trophy Room collectibles rearranged to prevent glitches.
This patch aims to enhance the overall experience, ironing out issues without losing the essence of what makes Behemoth engaging. Whether you’re new or returning, these updates promise a smoother adventure.
