Update: ‘Skydance’s Behemoth’ Rebalances Combat Following “Controversial” Feedback—Read the Patch Notes

Skydance Games has rolled out a significant update for Behemoth, a 2024 VR release known for its immersive combat experience, to address feedback on its fighting mechanics. Amidst the array of critiques since its debut on December 5th for Quest 2/3/Pro, PSVR 2, and PC VR via the Horizon Store (Meta exclusive) and Steam, some players have had mixed feelings about the combat system.

Our initial impression of the gameplay was positive, especially the combat, yet it’s evident not everyone shared this sentiment. In response, Skydance has now implemented a patch across all platforms aiming to refine the game’s melee combat, centering around its physics-based interactions with human adversaries.

"Let’s not beat around the bush here: the combat system stirred up some debate. While many players appreciate the design choices, we’re aware of concerns regarding stamina loss, parrying difficulty, and tight windows for dodging," the developers explained. To address this, adjustments have been made to balance stamina, parrying, and dodging, which should enrich the overall gameplay for everyone.

The update also introduces a ‘Freestyle Mode’ in beta, set to reduce combat stamina drain significantly, though this won’t affect climbing endurance. The patch doesn’t stop at combat—enhancements have been made to boss fights, enemy AI pathing, and cross-platform stability.

For a deep dive into all the tweaks and enhancements, you can access the full patch notes, though be mindful of potential spoilers. A snapshot of these updates, spoiler-free, appears below.

QUEST SPECIFIC

Player Experience:

• A new "Shader compiling" loading screen has been added when the game boots, clarifying the process for players.
• Haptic feedback now enriches the Main Menu experience.
• A bug causing crashes in Arena Mode [BETA] when striking the gong is resolved.
• Improved climbing mechanics and better collision detection in key scenarios.
• Fixed issues hindering progress, such as the Nightscraper battle and Ragnar disappearing in the tutorial.

Gameplay:

• Enhanced collision detection to prevent unintended player movement into the game environment.
• Resolved uncommon clipping bugs during interactions with Dreddstag and Shacklehide’s legs.
• Keys consistently respawn in ghost form after saving and reloading the game.
• Enemy hit reactions and transitions are more fluid and realistic.
• Rope interactions benefit from improved hand grips and inverse kinematics.

Art & Audio:

• Graphics, especially textures and lighting, are polished, notably on Quest 3.
• Visual anomalies have been minimized.
• Floating objects, like arrows and debris, are corrected.
• Music continuity during Shacklehide battles is ensured.

ALL PLATFORMS

Progression Blockers:

• Resolved issues with Kragjaeger and Shacklehide appearances that caused gameplay to stall.
• Fast Travel is now unlocked post-campaign for exploration.

Combat Updates:

• Tuning Adjustments:

  • Dodging now grants a 0.5-second invulnerability window.
  • Standard enemy headshots are lethal with a single hit.
  • Parry and block angles have been adjusted for more leniency.

• Combat Stamina Drain Adjustments:

  • Rebalanced across all difficulty settings.
  • "Freestyle Mode (BETA)" presents minimal stamina drain, though achievements/trophies are disabled here.
• The Tenderfoot difficulty level sees enemies dealing less damage.

Miniboss and Boss Tuning:

• Miniboss challenges have been recalibrated, fixing previous glitches.
• Ragnar’s health and attack speed are increased for greater challenge.

Level Updates:

• Interaction fixes in crucial areas such as Shacklehide’s arena, Zephyr’s Pass, and the Throne Room.
• Improved puzzle mechanics and access to chests in Duskhold and elsewhere.

Miscellaneous Fixes:

• Stability improvements addressing various crash scenarios.
• Adjustments to lighting, minimizing visual anomalies and synchronizing voiceover timing.
• Rearranged collectables in the Trophy Room to prevent glitches.

This patch aims to address player feedback while retaining the game’s core appeal, inviting both new and returning players to explore the enhanced virtual realms of Behemoth.