Skydance’s latest endeavor, Behemoth (2024), has recently undergone a significant update aimed at addressing some of the feedback, especially concerning its combat mechanics, which the developers at Skydance Games admit have been met with mixed opinions.
On launch day, we found the combat experience quite satisfying, but it seems not every player shared this sentiment after its December 5th debut on platforms like Quest 2/3/Pro, PSVR 2, and PC VR headsets through the Horizon Store (exclusive to Meta) and Steam.
In response, Skydance Games has rolled out a comprehensive patch for all supported platforms. This update seeks to refine the game’s physics-based combat, with a particular focus on its melee elements involving human antagonists.
“Let’s address it head on: the combat has sparked some debate. Many players are happy with it as is, so sweeping changes aren’t on the table,” the team elaborates. “However, we did receive feedback on issues like stamina depletion, the challenges of parrying, and the narrow timeframes for dodging attacks.”
With this patch, Skydance aims to “fine-tune our systems to make stamina, parrying, and dodging more forgiving,” believing this new approach will enhance the overall experience for everyone.
Furthermore, Behemoth now boasts a beta ‘Freestyle Mode,’ dramatically minimizing Combat Stamina drain—except during climbing challenges. The update also tackles previously noted concerns with boss battles, enemy AI behavior, and overall game stability.
If you’re curious about the specifics, the full patch notes, which may contain minor spoilers, are available for consideration. Here’s a spoiler-free summary focusing on key highlights.
### QUEST SPECIFIC UPDATES
#### Player Experience
– Introduced a “Shader compiling” loading screen at startup to reduce confusion during shader creation.
– Enhanced Main Menu with haptic feedback.
– Fixed a crash in Arena Mode [BETA] triggered by striking the gong under particular circumstances.
– Improved climbing mechanics and collision handling in crucial zones.
– Resolved progression blockers, including issues in the Nightscraper fight and during Ragnar’s disappearing act in the tutorial.
#### Gameplay Refinements
– Enhanced collision detection to avoid players accidentally slipping into game geometry.
– Resolved rare clipping problems with Dreddstag and Shacklehide’s climbing interactions.
– Made sure keys correctly respawn in ghost form after saving and reloading.
– Strengthened enemy hit reactions and transitions in combat scenarios.
– Refined hand grips and inverse kinematics for ropes.
#### Art & Audio Enhancements
– Improved environmental textures and lighting, notably on Quest 3.
– Minimized visual pops.
– Fixed floating objects such as arrows and rubble.
– Ensured music continuity during Shacklehide battles.
### CROSS-PLATFORM IMPROVEMENTS
#### Progression Blockers
– Fixed issues hindering enemy appearances, such as Kragjaeger and Shacklehide, causing game soft locks.
– Enabled Fast Travel post-campaign for ongoing exploration.
#### Combat Adjustments
##### Tuning Changes:
– Dodging now grants 0.5 seconds of invulnerability.
– Headshots on standard enemies are now fatal.
– Broadened parry/block angles for easier execution.
##### Combat Stamina Drain Adjustments:
– Balanced across all difficulties.
– “Freestyle Mode (BETA)” offers minimal stamina drain, though achievements/trophies are disabled in this mode.
##### Additional Tuning:
– Made Tenderfoot difficulty more forgiving by reducing enemy damage.
#### Miniboss and Boss Adjustments
– Tweaked miniboss difficulty and rectified glitches.
– Increased Ragnar’s health and attack frequency.
#### Level Enhancements
– Fixed interaction bugs in critical locations like Shacklehide’s arena, Zephyr’s Pass, and the Throne Room.
– Improved puzzle mechanics and chest access in Duskhold and other areas.
#### Miscellaneous Fixes
– Enhanced stability with key crash fixes.
– Resolved lighting, visual pops, and voice-over timing issues.
– Rearranged Trophy Room collectibles to prevent glitches.
This update intends to elevate the overall gameplay, ensuring everyone can enjoy what Behemoth has to offer. Whether you’re a veteran of the original release or new to the scene, these changes promise a more streamlined and enjoyable experience across all systems.
