Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is a first-person co-op shooter set in the grimdark sci-fi universe of Warhammer 40,000, developed and published by Fatshark, the studio behind the successful Warhammer: Vermintide series. The game’s launch was met with mixed or average reviews from critics and players alike, who criticized the game for its lack of polish, content, and variety. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the game’s disappointing reception, and how the developers are trying to improve the game with a major update that will overhaul the class system
Launch Woes
Darktide follows a similar formula to Vermintide 2, in which four players cooperate to fight against hordes of enemies in various missions across different locations. The game features four classes: the Ogryn, a hulking brute who can tank damage and smash enemies with melee weapons; the Psyker, a powerful but unstable wielder of psychic powers who can unleash devastating spells; the Veteran, a seasoned soldier who can use various ranged weapons and gadgets; and the Zealot, a fanatical warrior who can boost his damage and survivability with his faith. Each class has its own unique abilities and perks that can be unlocked by leveling up.
Lack of Content
However, many players felt that the game lacked depth and diversity in its gameplay. The game only had limited missions at launch, some of which were reused in different areas with minor changes. The enemies were mostly limited to followers of Nurgle, one of the four Chaos gods, who were mostly slow and predictable. The weapons and gear were also scarce and uninspired, many of which were similar or shared between classes. The loot and crafting system was also criticized for being too random and unrewarding, as players had little control over what they could get or upgrade.
Technical Issues
The game also suffered from various technical issues that affected its performance and stability. Many players reported bugs, glitches, crashes, freezes, and other problems that hindered their enjoyment of the game. Some of these issues were related to the game’s engine, Autodesk Stingray, which was also used for Vermintide 2. The developers acknowledged these problems and promised to fix them as soon as possible.
The Class Rework
In response to the feedback from the community, the developers have announced that they are working on a major update that would revamp the class system and add new RPG elements to the game.
Class Changes
This update was revealed in August 2023, and is expected to arrive in October 2023. The update will replace the current perk system with a skill tree system for each class. Instead of choosing one perk out of three options every five levels, players will receive a skill point every time they level up. Each class will have a skill tree with three main branches, one of which will represent their existing options. The other two branches will feature new abilities, both passive and active, that will give each class more playstyles to choose from.
For example, the Ogryn will be able to choose between focusing on melee combat or ranged combat. They will also be able to throw a “Big Friendly Rock” instead of a grenade box as their throwable item. The Psyker will be able to use more spells that can damage or debuff enemies or buff allies. They will also be able to unleash a “Force-lightning-esque” ability as their ultimate. The Veteran will be able to specialize in different types of weapons and gadgets, such as shotguns, rifles, grenades, turrets, or drones. They will also be able to use an “Overdrive” ability that boosts their fire rate and reload speed. The Zealot will be able to enhance their faith-based abilities with more effects and modifiers. They will also be able to use a “Holy Fire” ability that sets enemies on fire and heals allies.
The developers hope that this update will make the game more fun and engaging for players, as they will be able to customize their classes to suit their preferences and playstyles. They also hope that this update will address some of the criticisms about the game’s lack of variety and depth, as players will be able to experiment with different builds and strategies.
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