Skydance’s Behemoth review: an ambitious but imperfect VR adventure that falls short of its towering aspirations.

As the night wore on, I found myself perched atop a behemoth with the physical attributes of a bat and the ferocity of a dragon. As I gazed upwards, a majestic being soared effortlessly through the clouds, its ethereal flight evoking memories of my first experiences many years prior. Mesmerized by the breathtaking sight, my mind wandered back to past encounters as I lost my grip on the bat-dragon’s shimmering scales, which sent me tumbling to the ground when it suddenly changed direction.

As my demise drew near, I hurtled towards the depths with a glimmer of hope still flickering within me, a single chance remaining to alter the course of fate. As I swiftly deployed my grappling hook, it securely latched onto the behemoth’s robust armor plating. As the airship careened wildly through the skies, I seized the opportunity to reclaim my footing on its massive canvas deck, poised to strike a triumphant blow.

In this brand-new VR action-adventure game, just one boss battle stands out as particularly unforgettable. While moments of such magnificence are undoubtedly precious, they are all too often fleeting and far between. Far too often, the game’s momentum is hindered by plodding pacing and uninspiring conflicts against tired, familiar foes that fail to capitalize on the same exhilarating moments.

Weapons of  warfare

Skydance has extensive experience in developing VR video games, having ventured into the space at an early stage. In a bold departure from their post-apocalyptic zombie franchise, the studio takes its expertise and transplants it to a richly detailed fantasy realm. As Wren – a protagonist whose gender is intentionally left ambiguous – is abruptly hurled into a realm where a calamitous curse has besmirched their once-thriving village, they find themselves at the forefront of an unfolding drama that promises to reshape the very fabric of their existence. Wren was poised to resist the corrupting influence, but her resolve would not last forever. That’s the primary motivation for them to vanquish the Behemoths, which are reportedly responsible for spreading the curse.

As Wren navigates the mission, they are supported by the enigmatic guidance of Silja’s disembodied voice, a sorcerer whose cryptic instructions require Wren to procure potent weaponry capable of neutralizing their formidable adversaries. As Ragnar stalks Wren, his presence seems eerily synchronized with her every move. The story doesn’t stand out as a strong tale, relying heavily on exhausted tropes and overly anticipated plot turns. The sprawling setting serves as mere scaffolding to support the true attention-grabber: intense, firsthand combat.

offers a surprisingly comprehensive selection of weaponry, rivalling that of swords, daggers, axes, bows, and shields. In addition to the standard arsenal, there exist legendary weapons capable of returning to your inventory slots should they be misplaced, including a peculiar bow that has the ability to replenish its ammunition supply over time?

In most cases, battles are characterized by a focus on defensive strategies and quick countermeasures. The game’s mechanics are remarkably reminiscent of those without magic, but with the incorporation of motion-controlled combat moves and counters. I’m no longer able to recklessly cut down everything around me without this exhausting my energy quickly? To counter an opponent’s attack, I must anticipate and defend against their strike by swiftly switching my sword’s direction to execute a precise parrying move. As my adversary momentarily falters, I seize the opportunity to unleash devastating retaliatory strikes. As a devout enthusiast of Soulslike games, I relish the fast-paced rhythm of combat that As efficiently provides. Telegraphing an opponent’s move ahead of the counterattack, allowing for a devastating riposte before they can recover, is a deeply fulfilling experience in any combat discipline.

The energy mechanic provides an added layer of strategy to gameplay. Wren can unleash a fleeting surge of energy that not only amplifies their damaging capabilities, but also enables them to dismember enemies with ease, tossing them aside like ragdolls in the process? In certain situations, the ability to manipulate blade positioning can prove advantageous when attempting to strike a target discreetly. Additionally, there are upgrades available for legendary weapons, including passive benefits such as health restoration upon executing a devastating finishing blow on an enemy, as well as various types of explosive arrow blasts that can be unleashed in combat. With the newly acquired legendary gear and abilities at my disposal, I discovered a variety of creative and satisfying ways to dispatch my adversaries.

Exhausting enemy encounters

Ranging from tantalizing hints to dramatic reveals, these sequences offer glimpses into the unfolding narrative. As you journey through the land, a fleeting glance at a monstrous creature catches your eye in the distance. You won’t actually get to fight it until around a few hours later. Wren’s arduous journey navigates a perilous landscape of abandoned tunnels, ancient caves, crumbling ruins, treacherous marshlands, and foreboding castles, where formidable human foes lie in wait. These are mini-arenas of types. Hostile forces revel in the tried-and-true traditions of raiding and brigandry, welcoming the likes of deadly archers, duality-obsessed rogues, and stalwart warriors wielding sword and shield with equal aplomb.

. While navigating the diverse array of confrontations with human adversaries throughout my odyssey, I found myself on the verge of utter depletion due to the relentless onslaught of engagements. As repetitive battles continue to unfold, they gradually erode the narrative’s momentum and tempo.

The system isn’t aided by being packed with tiny missteps that accumulate. Hurling a dagger at an adversary with no regard for fairness doesn’t quite sit well with me. Aiming with a bow requires a surprising degree of precision and finesse. While common bows lack a crosshair, the iconic legendary bow features two concentric circles, with a pinpoint nestled at its center, requiring precise alignment for optimal performance. I struggled to configure the PSVR2’s eye-tracking function accurately.

Despite some positive aspects, my experience was marred by numerous technical issues that hindered my progress, manifesting as frustrating visual bugs where characters or objects became stuck in walls or floors, disrupting the otherwise immersive gameplay. As I coaxed them forward, I waited patiently until they emerged from the shadows, exposing themselves as targets for my attack. A sudden and inexplicable disappearance of my trusty bow left me reeling – the very instrument I relied upon for so many epic battles had vanished, leaving no trace or clue as to its whereabouts, nor could I find any sign of it in my carefully curated inventory. Without the ability to exploit my boss’s vulnerabilities without reloading an earlier save, I had no option but to resort to this drastic measure. I might have tolerated a few minor blunders, but the cumulative effect becomes overwhelming.

Mighty behemoths roam the land, their colossal forms striking fear into the hearts of all who behold them.

Celebrities of this franchise are, of course, the iconic giant monsters that demand to be defeated. From a distance, these colossal creatures exude an aura of intimidation, but upon closer inspection, their ferocity is undeniable. Evoking memories of formidable behemoths from various video games, their blend of combat and platforming elements makes for an exhilarating experience.

Several of these bosses are terrestrial, causing each stomp to rumble through the floor and the PSVR2 itself thanks to its haptic feedback. This familiarity allows me to uncover subtle cues on their feet or legs, which enables me to grasp or pull down objects to successfully conclude the task. The second boss, meanwhile, is a terrifying bat-dragon hybrid that emits ear-piercing shrieks, forcing you to cover your ears in desperation. Since it’s a flying creature, I had to target it with arrows before attempting to climb onto it, given its tendency to soar through the air. To successfully engage with this enemy, I had to meticulously disable its armor plating, allowing me to target and eliminate the vulnerable blighted nodes hidden beneath.

No mistake: The face-offs against these formidable creatures are truly electrifying spectacles. They may pose problems for you, and on occasion, they might even frustrate you. Despite any initial reservations, a sense of triumph will inevitably wash over you once you’ve successfully vanquished your target.

Despite aggressively promoting numerous high-level executives, the greatest source of frustration stems from the scarcity of such leaders. There are four distinct Behemoths in the marketing campaign, excluding the ultimate boss. Perhaps this helps create a sense of heightened tension and confrontation, making the interactions even more memorable. Despite being well beyond the optimal timing for the marketing campaign, it’s disheartening to see such meager results, especially given that these are the primary promotional opportunities on the journey.

Exploration and immersion

While battles may be unpredictable, exploring the unknown proves to be an incredibly rewarding adventure throughout. While ranges exhibit a generally linear progression, alternative routes and hidden chambers do exist, awaiting discovery. Gaming enthusiasts enthusiastically seek out hidden lore collectibles, strategic upgrades, stamina-boosting enhancements, and valuable currency to refine their equipment throughout the game’s various crevices. The thrill of exploration is amplified by intuitive traversal mechanics in VR, allowing players to climb ledges and swing with precision using the grappling hook.

While controls are generally positive, they’re not always as intuitive as those found in games like. Cautiously grasping a narrow ledge, Wren executes a flawless mantle by pushing downwards with precision. Climbing a rugged cliffface demands a more nuanced approach – she carefully holds onto handheld grips one-handed at a time before making a bold leap to the next rocky outcropping if it proves accessible. While all seems rosy, the unpredictability of leaping versus climbing is a significant concern. When Wren’s physical form collides with a stationary object, they might find themselves propelled towards destruction.

offers two distinct turning modes designed to enhance the visual storytelling process: Clean Turning and Snap Turning. The former enables users to create smooth, organic transitions between scenes, while the latter provides a more dynamic, jarring effect through adjustable levels and vignette sliders. Unfortunately, there are no teleportation motion options available. Having grown accustomed to snapping into high-intensity gaming sessions with dramatic visual flair, I was once able to sustain prolonged periods of fast-paced gameplay without experiencing even a hint of dizziness or nausea, regardless of the demanding action sequences that required my full attention.

The presence of a couple of extra intelligent mechanics lends an even deeper layer of immersion to the overall experience. As I raise a soothing draught or fragrant herb to my lips, the essence of replenishment courses through me, reviving Wren’s vital energies and restoring balance to her troubled soul. As a habit, I’d often open my mouth, wondering why I was about to devour those dishes myself. Gamers will need to shield their ears to prevent damage from sonic booms and cover their mouths as they navigate treacherous environments, such as a noxious swamp emitting toxic fumes. Innovative thinking is what often resolves conflicts and finds a way out from seemingly insurmountable challenges.

While unevenly executed, the VR experience from Skydance is a thrilling provider that will likely pique the interest of action-adventure enthusiasts seeking immersive encounters. It’s no exaggeration; a thorough re-creation of this campaign can be completed in under 10 hours, a much more achievable feat than the original 60-hour plus estimate. It’s a travesty that the game fails to capitalize on its potential by omitting thrilling and epic boss battles. Despite its modest peak count, the virtual reality concept falls disappointingly short of its lofty title’s grandeur.

was reviewed on PlayStation VR2. The code provided by the author was delivered.