When I first launched Warhammer: Vermintide 2, I had no idea I was about to be swept up in one of the most intense co-op gaming experiences I’ve ever had. A first-person action game set in the brutal world of Warhammer Fantasy, Vermintide 2 is essentially the perfect fusion of the frantic, team-based combat of Left 4 Dead with the rich lore and sheer brutality of Warhammer. Whether it’s slicing through waves of Skaven or desperately holding the line against the forces of Chaos, the game offers an adrenaline-pumping experience that’s as chaotic as it is rewarding.

10/10- Game Play
09/10- Visuals and Graphics
10/10- Audio and Sound
05/10- Accessibility
06/10- Story Telling

Overall- 10/10

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 delivers on every front, offering an adrenaline-fueled, cooperative experience that stands as one of the best of its kind. With its deep, satisfying combat, rich progression system, and a constant demand for teamwork, it kept me hooked from my first run to my hundredth. Every match is a chaotic dance of survival against insurmountable odds, and few things are as satisfying as making it through by the skin of your teeth, covered in blood and barely standing.

From the moment I stepped into Vermintide 2, I was struck by the atmosphere. The visuals are dark and gritty, perfectly capturing the oppressive tone of a world besieged by Chaos and plague-ridden Skaven. The environments are richly detailed, from the claustrophobic streets of Helmgart to the eerie forests and ruined castles. This isn’t just a backdrop for slaughter – each map feels like a living, breathing part of the Warhammer universe.

The enemies are equally well-designed. The Skaven are disgusting and scurry toward you in terrifying swarms, while the hulking Chaos warriors lumber forward with brutal determination. Each enemy type feels distinct and threatening, and when you're surrounded by dozens of them, you really feel the weight of the impending doom. Watching my character’s weapon cleave through hordes of enemies with visceral impact was deeply satisfying. Every swing, every shot, every spell feels weighty and impactful, thanks to the excellent combat animations and sound design.

If I had to sum up Vermintide 2’s combat in one word, it would be visceral. It’s brutal in the best possible way. The melee combat is some of the best I’ve experienced in a first-person game, with a satisfying rhythm that comes from balancing light and heavy attacks, dodging, and blocking. Whether I was slashing through hordes with a greatsword or bashing enemies with a shield, each weapon felt distinct, with its own timing, strengths, and weaknesses.

What really sets the combat apart, though, is the teamwork it demands. This isn’t a game where you can run off solo and expect to survive for long. You need to stay close to your team, watching each other’s backs and combining your abilities to survive the endless waves of enemies. The enemy AI is relentless and will actively try to split up your group, making teamwork essential. I learned this the hard way after getting dragged off by a Packmaster in one match, helpless as I watched my health bar drain while my team frantically fought to save me.

The variety in enemy types is where Vermintide 2 truly shines. Standard Skaven and Chaos foot soldiers make up the bulk of the horde, but special enemies like Warpfire Throwers, Gutter Runners, and Chaos Spawn are designed to target and incapacitate specific members of your team. Every encounter feels unpredictable, and you have to stay on your toes, constantly adapting to the shifting battlefield.

One of the key strengths of Vermintide 2 lies in its five playable heroes, each with three distinct career paths and a DLC career respectively, that drastically change how they play. Every career path has its own abilities, weapons, and ultimate skill, which encourages experimenting with different playstyles. I loved mixing and matching builds, trying out different weapons and talents to see what worked best in each scenario.

Progression in Vermintide 2 revolves around loot, and thankfully, it strikes a good balance between rewarding players and keeping them hungry for better gear. After completing a mission, you’re awarded a loot chest that contains weapons, trinkets, and cosmetics. The rarity and quality of the loot are determined by your performance, the difficulty level, and whether you managed to snag any hidden tomes or grimoires during the mission. It’s a system that kept me motivated to push for higher difficulties and explore every nook and cranny of the maps.

There’s a real sense of accomplishment when you finally get that weapon you’ve been grinding for. The crafting system also lets you recycle old gear to create new items, which gives a nice sense of control over your build. There’s definitely a grind to the progression system, but it never feels punishing. Instead, it’s the kind of grind that keeps you coming back for “just one more run,” chasing that perfect loot drop.

Vermintide 2 is a co-op game at heart, and playing with friends elevates the experience to a whole new level. While playing with bots is possible, nothing beats coordinating with a team of real players, especially when tackling the game’s higher difficulties. The level of communication required to succeed is intense – you have to coordinate your positioning, call out special enemies, and cover for each other when someone gets pinned down or dragged away.

On harder difficulties, Vermintide 2 can become brutally unforgiving, and it’s where teamwork and strategy really come into play. Friendly fire is introduced, making every shot count, and the hordes become more relentless. Surviving these higher tiers requires tight coordination and mastery of your character's abilities.

it’s a must-play. Vermintide 2 takes the best parts of team-based shooters and combines them with melee-focused combat to create something wholly unique, addictive, and, most importantly, fun. It’s chaotic, it’s brutal, and I can’t get enough of it-- No, PJ, I am not an addict.

When I first launched Warhammer: Vermintide 2, I had no idea I was about to be swept up in one of the most intense co-op gaming experiences I’ve ever had. A first-person action game set in the brutal world of Warhammer Fantasy, Vermintide 2 is essentially the perfect fusion of the frantic, team-based combat of Left 4 Dead with the rich lore and sheer brutality of Warhammer. Whether it’s slicing through waves of Skaven or desperately holding the line against the forces of Chaos, the game offers an adrenaline-pumping experience that’s as chaotic as it is rewarding. 10/10- Game Play 09/10- Visuals and Graphics 10/10- Audio and Sound 05/10- Accessibility 06/10- Story Telling Overall- 10/10 Warhammer: Vermintide 2 delivers on every front, offering an adrenaline-fueled, cooperative experience that stands as one of the best of its kind. With its deep, satisfying combat, rich progression system, and a constant demand for teamwork, it kept me hooked from my first run to my hundredth. Every match is a chaotic dance of survival against insurmountable odds, and few things are as satisfying as making it through by the skin of your teeth, covered in blood and barely standing. From the moment I stepped into Vermintide 2, I was struck by the atmosphere. The visuals are dark and gritty, perfectly capturing the oppressive tone of a world besieged by Chaos and plague-ridden Skaven. The environments are richly detailed, from the claustrophobic streets of Helmgart to the eerie forests and ruined castles. This isn’t just a backdrop for slaughter – each map feels like a living, breathing part of the Warhammer universe. The enemies are equally well-designed. The Skaven are disgusting and scurry toward you in terrifying swarms, while the hulking Chaos warriors lumber forward with brutal determination. Each enemy type feels distinct and threatening, and when you're surrounded by dozens of them, you really feel the weight of the impending doom. Watching my character’s weapon cleave through hordes of enemies with visceral impact was deeply satisfying. Every swing, every shot, every spell feels weighty and impactful, thanks to the excellent combat animations and sound design. If I had to sum up Vermintide 2’s combat in one word, it would be visceral. It’s brutal in the best possible way. The melee combat is some of the best I’ve experienced in a first-person game, with a satisfying rhythm that comes from balancing light and heavy attacks, dodging, and blocking. Whether I was slashing through hordes with a greatsword or bashing enemies with a shield, each weapon felt distinct, with its own timing, strengths, and weaknesses. What really sets the combat apart, though, is the teamwork it demands. This isn’t a game where you can run off solo and expect to survive for long. You need to stay close to your team, watching each other’s backs and combining your abilities to survive the endless waves of enemies. The enemy AI is relentless and will actively try to split up your group, making teamwork essential. I learned this the hard way after getting dragged off by a Packmaster in one match, helpless as I watched my health bar drain while my team frantically fought to save me. The variety in enemy types is where Vermintide 2 truly shines. Standard Skaven and Chaos foot soldiers make up the bulk of the horde, but special enemies like Warpfire Throwers, Gutter Runners, and Chaos Spawn are designed to target and incapacitate specific members of your team. Every encounter feels unpredictable, and you have to stay on your toes, constantly adapting to the shifting battlefield. One of the key strengths of Vermintide 2 lies in its five playable heroes, each with three distinct career paths and a DLC career respectively, that drastically change how they play. Every career path has its own abilities, weapons, and ultimate skill, which encourages experimenting with different playstyles. I loved mixing and matching builds, trying out different weapons and talents to see what worked best in each scenario. Progression in Vermintide 2 revolves around loot, and thankfully, it strikes a good balance between rewarding players and keeping them hungry for better gear. After completing a mission, you’re awarded a loot chest that contains weapons, trinkets, and cosmetics. The rarity and quality of the loot are determined by your performance, the difficulty level, and whether you managed to snag any hidden tomes or grimoires during the mission. It’s a system that kept me motivated to push for higher difficulties and explore every nook and cranny of the maps. There’s a real sense of accomplishment when you finally get that weapon you’ve been grinding for. The crafting system also lets you recycle old gear to create new items, which gives a nice sense of control over your build. There’s definitely a grind to the progression system, but it never feels punishing. Instead, it’s the kind of grind that keeps you coming back for “just one more run,” chasing that perfect loot drop. Vermintide 2 is a co-op game at heart, and playing with friends elevates the experience to a whole new level. While playing with bots is possible, nothing beats coordinating with a team of real players, especially when tackling the game’s higher difficulties. The level of communication required to succeed is intense – you have to coordinate your positioning, call out special enemies, and cover for each other when someone gets pinned down or dragged away. On harder difficulties, Vermintide 2 can become brutally unforgiving, and it’s where teamwork and strategy really come into play. Friendly fire is introduced, making every shot count, and the hordes become more relentless. Surviving these higher tiers requires tight coordination and mastery of your character's abilities. it’s a must-play. Vermintide 2 takes the best parts of team-based shooters and combines them with melee-focused combat to create something wholly unique, addictive, and, most importantly, fun. It’s chaotic, it’s brutal, and I can’t get enough of it-- No, PJ, I am not an addict.