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Warhammer: Vermintide 2 – Review in Progress

This one is a keeper for sure...
Warhammer: Vermintide 2

I’ve been playing co-op shooters since before the dawn of the internet (I’m looking at you Contra and Alien Syndrome!) and every once in a while you get a title that just hits all the right notes. The last truly great co-op shooter I experience was Left 4 Dead 2 and I’ve been jonesing for that sweet coop action ever since. Sure lots of titles have a co-op mode but so few are built from the ground up with co-op in mind. So when Warhammer: Vermintide 2 came across my desk last week I secretly hoped it would be everything I wanted in a co-op shooter. As the game has not officially released at the time of writing I have been limited to the four-level beta build provided to those that pre-ordered. Despite only have the aforementioned levels I’ve already spent more hours on this title in the last week than I did on Diablo 3 and that, for those that know me, is saying a lot!

I’ll save a full right up on the title for our official review next week but with the game releasing March 8th I wanted to touch on a few things that really stand out with this unique take on the genre.. So grab that caffeinated beverage, kick back and check out our preview of Warhammer: Vermintide 2.

As mentioned Vermintide 2 is built from the ground up with the co-op players in mind. Following its predecessor’s 2015 release, this second title in the series has worked hard to polish the rough spots and refine the solid parts to create an excellent sequel. The Vermintide series follows the same basic structure of other titles in the genre, most specifically the Left 4 Dead series, but does a great job at distinguishing itself. In other word, it’s not simply a Warhammer skinned version of the L4D but rather its own unique title with mechanics and progression that makes sense in the context of the Warhammer universe.

The game focuses primarily on melee combat which feels tight and responsive. In a world where being swarmed by rat-man is a constant threat, tight controls are crucial. Ranged weapons are also part of gameplay but the developer was intentional in making ammo a resource always in short supply. This forces players to be strategic as to when and how to use their ranged weapons. Each character has a specific set of melee weapons to choose from and as you level that particular character new classes (versions of that character) become available, each with their own unique weapons, passive and ultimate ability. It makes for some great synergy among players and after experiencing several hours of gameplay really allows you to play the way that works for you as a player while still contributing to the team.

The second area of highlight is the level design. Having been someone who spent some time in the first game, it feels that Fatshark really took a hard look at the design and reworked the whole concept. Even within the context of the four levels available in Beta, there is a real sense of purpose in level design. Throw in a diverse palette of locations, themes and use of vertical space and you have a recipe for some truly impressive level design.

The final area I wanted to touch on with Vermintide 2 is the reworked crafting system. It feels streamlined, impactful and extremely helpful when leveling more than one character. The ability to salvage and craft new weapons and gear further allows the player to customize the feel and play style of their character. Coupled with a tiered talent system that allows you to swap out talents between missions, Vermintide 2 is shaping up to offer a truly RPG level of gameplay to this co-op FPS.

At first glance Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is shaping up to be one of those games that I will easily sink several hundred hours into. With our full review coming be sure to keep that browser locked here for all the latest information on this and many other great titles. Look for the official release of Warhammer: Vermintide 2 on Steam March 8th (Today!).

3 Comments

  1. I enjoy playing this game with you guys. We need to get another party going again.

    • It’s a fantastic game, but definitely best with people you know, not randoms.

      • Agreed. While I have had some excellent puggie groups, playing with a group of friends is a blast. Communication is key!

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