Update: ‘Skydance’s Behemoth’ Revamps Combat Following Mixed Reviews – Patch Notes Inside

Skydance’s recent release, Behemoth (2024), has rolled out a comprehensive patch addressing widespread feedback concerning its combat mechanics, which have stirred quite a debate, according to the developer.

While some of us were quite content with the combat at launch, the initial December 5th release on platforms like Quest 2/3/Pro, PSVR 2, and PC VR via the Horizon Store and Steam revealed that not everyone shared this sentiment.

Responding promptly, Skydance has deployed a patch for all the supported platforms, targeting particularly the physics-driven melee combat system that pits players against human adversaries.

In their own words, the studio acknowledges the mixed reactions: "The combat has sparked discussions. Many players appreciate its original design, so we’re sticking with it fundamentally," they clarify. "However, we’ve listened to feedback about issues with stamina depletion, the challenge of parrying, and tight dodge windows."

To address these concerns, Skydance has "fine-tuned key elements like stamina, parrying, and dodging to be more lenient," aiming to enrich the gaming experience for everyone involved.

Moreover, Behemoth introduces a beta ‘Freestyle Mode’ as part of this update, which significantly reduces Combat Stamina drain, except in climbing segments. This patch also tackles prior problems related to boss battles, enemy AI and movement, as well as overall game stability across various devices.

To dive deeper into the patch details, players can access the full patch notes, though these may contain spoilers. Below, a brief spoiler-free summary highlights key updates.

QUEST SPECIFIC

Player Experience

• A new "Shader compiling" screen at launch to lessen confusion during shader refreshes.
• Haptic feedback in the Main Menu.
• Resolved crash issues in Arena Mode [BETA] triggered by specific actions.
• Enhanced climbing mechanics and collision in vital areas.
• Fixed progression stoppers concerning the Nightscraper battle and Ragnar’s tutorial disappearance.

Gameplay

• Improved collision to prevent unintended player penetration into objects.
• Resolved rare clipping with Dreddstag and Shacklehide leg-climbing.
• Keys now correctly reappear in ghost mode post-save and reload.
• Enhanced enemy hit reactions and state changes in combat.
• Refined hand grips and IK for ropes.

Art & Audio

• Enhanced environment textures and lighting (notably on Quest 3).
• Minimized visual artifacts.
• Fixed floating objects like arrows and debris.
• Continuous music during the Shacklehide fight.

ALL PLATFORMS

Progression Blockers

• Fixed issues with enemies like Kragjaeger and Shacklehide, preventing correct appearances or soft locks.
• Fast Travel enabled after campaign completion for continued exploration.

Combat Updates

Tuning Adjustments:

• Added a 0.5-second invulnerability period during dodges.
• Enemies with exposed headshots now succumb to one-hit kills.
• Improved forgiveness angle for parrying/blocking to simplify execution.

Combat Stamina Drain Adjustments:

• Balanced across all difficulty levels.

• "Freestyle Mode (BETA)" significantly lowers stamina drain but disables achievements/trophies.

• Reduced enemy damage further on Tenderfoot difficulty.

Miniboss and Boss Tuning

• Adjusted difficulty and glitches for miniboss confrontations.
• Ragnar’s health and attack frequency increased.

Level Updates

• Fixed critical area interactions such as Shacklehide’s arena, Zephyr’s Pass, and Throne Room.
• Enhanced puzzle mechanics and access to chests in Duskhold and other locations.

Miscellaneous Fixes

• Stability improvements with substantial crash resolution.
• Corrected issues with lighting, visual artifacts, and voiceover timing.
• Reorganized Trophy Room items to prevent glitches.

This patch reflects Skydance’s commitment to refining Behemoth, ensuring it meets the high expectations of its diverse player base across all platforms.