Skydance’s latest patch for Behemoth (2024) is making waves by tackling some of the contentious issues with the game’s combat mechanics. For those who enjoyed the original setup, the team at Skydance Games insists they’re not turning everything upside down. However, after the game launched on December 5th across Quest 2/3/Pro, PSVR 2, and PC VR headsets via the Horizon Store (exclusive to Meta) and Steam, feedback prompted some thoughtful revisions to improve the experience.
Many players appreciated the combat from the get-go, but not everyone felt the same. To address these varying responses, Skydance dropped a patch across all platforms, refining the physics-driven gameplay, particularly the melee combat that pits players against human foes.
Skydance openly acknowledges the mixed reactions: "Let’s be honest, combat has been a bit controversial. While many fans enjoy the design, we’ve heard from some players about frustrations over stamina drain, parrying, and dodging windows." In response, they’ve “fine-tuned our systems to make stamina, parrying, and dodging more forgiving," aiming to "enhance the experience for all players."
Furthermore, the studio rolled out a beta ‘Freestyle Mode,’ which significantly minimizes Combat Stamina drain except during climbing sections. The patch also tackles previously identified issues with boss battles, enemy AI behavior, pathfinding, and overall game stability on all systems.
Curious to see the full list of changes? The detailed patch notes, which contain some spoilers, are available online. For those wary of spoilers, here’s a more concise version you can check out.
QUEST SPECIFIC
Player Experience
- Introduced a “Shader compiling” screen during game load, to clarify shader re-creation.
- Enhanced Main Menu with added haptics.
- Resolved a crash in Arena Mode [BETA] linked to gong interaction.
- Improved climbing and collision mechanics in crucial locations.
- Fixed progression hurdles, including issues during the Nightscraper battle and Ragnar’s disappearance in the tutorial.
Gameplay
- Enhanced collision to stop players from passing through structures.
- Addressed rare clipping with Dreddstag and Shacklehide’s climbing mechanics.
- Keys now respawn correctly in ghost form after saves and reloads.
- Improved hit reactions and state transitions for enemies engaged in combat.
- Refined hand grips and inverse kinematics for ropes.
Art & Audio
- Enhanced environment textures and lighting, with notable upgrades on Quest 3.
- Reduced visual pop-in issues.
- Fixed floating assets like arrows and debris.
- Ensured continuous music during the Shacklehide battle.
ALL PLATFORMS
Progression Blockers
- Fixed instances of enemies like Kragjaeger and Shacklehide causing issues or failing to appear.
- Enabled post-campaign Fast Travel to allow ongoing exploration.
Combat Updates
- Tuning Adjustments:
- Dodge now offers 0.5 seconds of invincibility.
- Headshots on regular enemies result in one-hit kills.
- Broadened parry/block forgiveness angles for easier success.
- Combat Stamina Drain Adjustments:
- Balanced across all difficulty levels.
- “Freestyle Mode (BETA)” minimizes stamina drain (with achievements/trophies disabled in this mode).
- Adjustments to Tenderfoot difficulty further lower enemy damage.
Miniboss and Boss Tuning
- Adjusted challenge and fixed issues with minibosses.
- Increased Ragnar’s health and attack frequency.
Level Updates
- Fixed interactions in key areas like Shacklehide’s arena, Zephyr’s Pass, and Throne Room.
- Improved puzzle mechanics and access to chests in Duskhold and other locales.
Miscellaneous Fixes
- Enhanced stability with major crash fixes.
- A range of lighting, visual glitch, and voice-over timing issues resolved.
- Rearranged Trophy Room collectibles to prevent glitches.
The patch is a clear move to ensure players have a more balanced and satisfying experience, reflecting Skydance’s commitment to refining their game based on community feedback. Whether you’re a veteran player or just jumping in, the updates promise a smoother adventure through the world of Behemoth.
