Review of “Skydance’s Behemoth” – A Giant Leap in VR Action-Adventure Games

In the world of virtual reality, Skydance’s Behemoth stands out as a testament to the lessons learned from their earlier success, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (2020). Set in the action-adventure genre, Behemoth might seem like another game with a familiar storyline, but in the realm of VR, it offers an experience that is both grand and satisfying.

Now, let’s dive into the details of what makes Behemoth a unique offering in VR:

Skydance’s Behemoth Overview:

• Developer: Skydance Games
• Available Platforms: Quest 2/3/Pro, PSVR 2, with plans for SteamVR
• Reviewed On: Quest 3
• Release Date: December 5th, 2024
• Price: $40

Gameplay Experience

Think of the charm and depth of Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke, and that’s what you step into with Behemoth. You play as Wren, a villager cursed and on the brink of becoming a mindless brute. It’s a dual-edged curse, per se, granting you superhuman abilities to speed through enemies and battle foes in a quest to save a fallen kingdom from dark forces.

The game masterfully leverages these newfound powers, pushing you to navigate through ancient castles and pathways inhabited by cursed creatures and intimidating troll-like giants.

As a combat-driven, physics-based game, Behemoth focuses heavily on melee, offering a natural flow in the strike and parry mechanics. You’re empowered to creatively tackle adversaries instead of being locked into predetermined moves. Parrying is straightforward—you block enemy attacks with your sword, opening them up for a counter. But there’s a catch: get too reckless, and your stamina depletes quickly, leaving you open to attacks as each enemy brandishes different weapons and styles. Some are agile, others pack punches you can’t block, keeping you constantly alert.

You have a few tricks up your sleeve, particularly the ability to smash through enemy armor using your enhanced strength, capable of taking down several foes at once. This ability, however, needs time to recharge, thus demanding strategic use. As the game progresses, you encounter enemies heavily shielded in armor, leading you to rely on your strength and a set of legendary weapons like a mighty two-handed sword, a regenerating-bow, and a powerful axe—each upgradable at the game’s forges using Coloss Alloy found throughout the world.

Though weapon upgrades dominate the crafting scene, the potential of collectable medicinal plants feels underutilized, giving minor health boosts on the spot instead of serving a broader crafting purpose.

Despite a relatively straightforward upgrade system focusing on weapons and strength boosts, Behemoth includes environmental puzzles and mini-boss challenges, though the true stars are the massive Behemoths. These colossal beasts test your skills, from combat to grappling, as you ascend their towering forms to strike their vulnerable spots. While there are only four Behemoth encounters, each offers a refined and epic challenge.

I won’t elaborate on every extra detail—collectibles are passable, notes add story depth, and the inventory is streamlined and intuitive. The game’s weak point for me was a storyline that, while competent, sometimes felt a bit too predictable to fully grasp attention.

Throughout a nine-hour campaign, however, nearly everything in Behemoth feels intentional. From upgrading weapons to scavenging for Coloss Alloy or health potions in urns, every encounter and collected piece serves a purpose.

Immersion and Storytelling

Speaking of characters, Wren’s dialogue with his witchy inner companion adds a layer of personality without overwhelming you during battles or puzzles. This avoid-the-friendly-robot trap enhances immersion, letting you lose yourself in the game’s rich world.

Voice acting presents a small immersion hiccup, with some performances a bit melodramatic contrasted against the grim backdrop. The narrative itself, though not groundbreaking, aligns with the game’s visually stunning and gritty aesthetics, especially when optimized for Quest 3.

Despite some storyline clichés, Behemoth excels in creating fun combat and innovative travel mechanics, especially evident in boss fights.

AI enemies sometimes feel a bit predictable, and some arena setups seem standard—amid battle gates and enemy spawns in familiar fashion. Yet, Behemoth as a package—it succeeds, keeping interest piqued with diverse levels and massive encounters. Smashing through barriers adds to the thrill.

In essence, if you were handed a Quest 3 preloaded with Behemoth years back, the strides made by developers on mobile hardware would surely astound you.

Comfort and Gameplay Environment

Behemoth pairs its intense action with a blend of seated or standing play styles, providing flexibility for extended sessions. You’ll regularly engage in two-handed actions, so it’s wise to clear space for enthusiastic swinging.

The game caters well to those seeking different VR movement options, from snap or smooth turning to the various comfort settings. While a particular elevator ride is slightly disconcerting, overall, Behemoth manages to deliver a comfortable ride through its VR landscape.

Final Thoughts: Behemoth captures your attention through solid VR mechanics and enjoyable gameplay, navigating you through visually captivating realms with surprises around every corner.