Fatshark's proprietary engine for Darktide (and Vermintide) is the Emperor's standard in melee combat.

Where other games give you a light attack, maybe a heavy attack, and a stamina bar if they are feeling "innovative," Darktide gives you a fluid attack-chain system that allows EACH attack to feel unique and for YOU to feel like like a ++REDACTED++.

Enemies have intuitive looking armor and weaknesses. Scabs with chest armor? Chop 'em in the legs. Scabs with without helmets? Cave their heads in.

There are many ways to mitigate incoming attacks, from dodging and sliding, to blocking, to shoves and staggers, to straight damage mitigation.

Audio design in this game is special. Incoming attacks have audio cues that you'll learn to instinctively respond to. Crusher winding up a nothing persona' kid overhead smash on your hindquarters? Dodge it without looking if you know what you are doing.

Unlike Vermintide, disablers can all be dealt with via the correct counter(s). Trappers can be dodged, mutants can be dodged or jousted, dogs can be dodged or shoved or jousted.

You can solo the entire game if you are good enough, never getting disabled, never going down, even on Damnation or above.

As of January 2025, bugs are few, events are many, and the game has never been more fun. Painful or clunky parts of launch maps have been reworked to be faster if needed, easier if applicable, or harder if warranted. Tons of ambient voice lines have been added since launch, making you and other rejects interact naturally. I have almost 700 hours in this game and still hear new dialogue from time to time.

The NPC cast is continually expanding. Missions are "narrated" by these NPCs, sometimes two at a time, creating a fun background story for maps, even if they play the same way.

Lastly, don't let the steam forums or reddit fool you. The community in this game is pure gold. nearly 700 hours in, and I can count the toxic players on one hand, even without a bone 'ead upgrade (I'd rather have extra rations SAH).

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Fatshark's proprietary engine for Darktide (and Vermintide) is the Emperor's standard in melee combat. Where other games give you a light attack, [i]maybe[/i] a heavy attack, and a stamina bar if they are feeling "innovative," Darktide gives you a fluid attack-chain system that allows EACH attack to feel unique and for YOU to feel like like a [b]++REDACTED++[/b]. Enemies have intuitive looking armor and weaknesses. Scabs with chest armor? Chop 'em in the legs. Scabs with without helmets? Cave their heads in. There are many ways to mitigate incoming attacks, from dodging and sliding, to blocking, to shoves and staggers, to straight damage mitigation. Audio design in this game is special. Incoming attacks have audio cues that you'll learn to instinctively respond to. Crusher winding up a [i]nothing persona' kid[/i] overhead smash on your hindquarters? Dodge it without looking if you know what you are doing. Unlike Vermintide, disablers can all be dealt with via the correct counter(s). Trappers can be dodged, mutants can be dodged or jousted, dogs can be dodged or shoved or jousted. You can solo the entire game if you are good enough, never getting disabled, never going down, even on Damnation or above. As of January 2025, bugs are few, events are many, and the game has never been more fun. Painful or clunky parts of launch maps have been reworked to be faster if needed, easier if applicable, or harder if warranted. Tons of ambient voice lines have been added since launch, making you and other rejects interact naturally. I have almost 700 hours in this game and still hear new dialogue from time to time. The NPC cast is continually expanding. Missions are "narrated" by these NPCs, sometimes two at a time, creating a fun background story for maps, even if they play the same way. Lastly, don't let the steam forums or reddit fool you. The community in this game is pure gold. nearly 700 hours in, and I can count the toxic players on one hand, even without a bone 'ead upgrade (I'd rather have extra rations SAH). [hr][/hr] [h1]The Emperor is all[/h1] [h1]The Emperor knows[/h1] [h1]The Emperor is watching[/h1] [h1]The Emperor protects[/h1]