Review of ‘Skydance’s Behemoth’: A Monumental Leap in VR Action-Adventure Gaming

Skydance’s Behemoth is a testament to how far virtual reality has come, drawing from the studio’s rich experience with their earlier hit, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. While it treads familiar ground in terms of story, which might not be groundbreaking if it were merely a typical video game, it’s in the immersive world of VR where Behemoth truly shines, offering a massive adventure that’s both engaging and rewarding.

Gameplay

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into a world reminiscent of Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke, Behemoth is your playground. You step into the shoes of Wren, a villager cursed with a doom that comes with a twist—a curse that gifts superhuman abilities, allowing you to dash quickly, swing with unmatched force, and punch your way through anything in your path. The adventure is all about unraveling the mystery behind a devastated kingdom and taking matters into your own hands.

As you navigate crumbling castles and treacherous paths, you’ll encounter a variety of cursed foes, all serving the dark power behind the devastation. Among them are massive, troll-like giants that punctuate the game’s landscape with chaos. Behemoth’s combat is rooted in physics-based melee, where the flexibility in how you engage and defeat enemies is celebrated.

Holding your sword just right will counter attacks, exposing your foes to significant damage. But watch out—for all the fun of slashing and dashing, your stamina bar can drain quickly, making you vulnerable. Every combat scenario demands your complete focus, with enemies wielding varied weapons and fighting styles. Some opponents move swiftly; others possess unblockable moves that keep you on your toes, requiring a delicate balance of speed, strength, and strategy.

You can take down baddies more easily by leveraging your superhuman strength. This power allows you to break through armor and wipe out several weaker enemies in one fell swoop—perfect for high-intensity moments.

As the game progresses, heavily armored villains become more frequent, pushing you to lean into your upgrades. There’s a handful of legendary weaponry up for grabs—like an imposing two-handed sword, an auto-reloading bow, and a formidable axe designed to shatter armor. These tools, upgradeable at in-game forges, make every piece of collected Coloss Alloy worth its weight in victory.

Though crafting is limited to weapon upgrades—a potentially overlooked feature given the number of insubstantial healing plants scattered throughout—a lost opportunity for deeper crafting mechanics is felt. Still, you won’t lack health potions from the aftermath of your battles.

Between intense encounters, you’ll solve environment puzzles and face off against formidable mini-bosses until the real titans of the game, the Behemoths, make their grand entrance. These momentous battles test your mettle across all learned skills—climbing, shooting, slicing, and quick maneuvering, all against these colossal opponents.

The game provides a companion in the form of a mysterious voice in your head to guide you, directing your focus during Behemoth battles. But even with guidance, you’ll face the challenge of striking at weak spots on the massive creatures, prompting you to climb and grapple your way to victory.

Behemoth’s offering doesn’t forget its roots in exploration and engagement, even as its narrative feels somewhat predictable. Yet each battle remains a test, especially when tackling Behemoths or other formidable mini-bosses, ensuring even on easier settings the game pushes your limits.

Throughout the campaign, which spans about nine hours, I encountered little fluff. Every item, every upgrade has a clear purpose, fueling the desire to explore hidden corners for precious resources like Coloss Alloy and health items.

Image from Behemoth

Immersion

Playing Behemoth, I found Wren and the enigmatic voice in his head refreshingly unobtrusive, keeping you immersed without overstepping into the gameplay. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to games that over-rely on guiding players through hand-holding dialogue.

Though one of the characters’ voice acting comes off a bit overly dramatic—contrasting sharply with the gritty atmosphere—it doesn’t overshadow the immersive world, nor does it detract from the game’s strengths. Visually, Behemoth pulls off an impressive feat on the Quest 3, showcasing a lush aesthetic that one might expect from a PC VR experience.

Narrative elements, though somewhat expected, don’t overshadow the excitement of combat and the joy of overcoming physically engaging challenges. The intuitive grappling mechanics, fully leveraged during boss battles, mark a high point in the game, despite story clichés.

While some AI behaviors and arena setups feel familiar, Behemoth’s comprehensive package proves it’s more than the sum of its parts. A blend of detailed environments, combat action, and towering adversaries will keep you hooked.

Comfort

Don’t worry if you prefer to game seated or standing; Behemoth accommodates both styles, letting you comfortably play long sessions. You’ll be swinging and engaging in two-handed combat, so clear some space!

The movement is fully adjustable with no teleportation but options for smooth or dash moves ensure you can play as you prefer. While one elevator ride might throw your stomach for a loop, the overall VR experience is smooth and friendly for most players.

In summary, even as it draws on familiar tropes, Behemoth manages to be an impressive offering, satisfying those looking for a fulfilling VR adventure that harnesses the technology’s potential to deliver a captivating journey.