EDIT: (81hr review)
EDIT: (105hr review below that)
EDIT: (140hr post-class rework)
EDIT: (230hr aniv. part 1 update)
EDIT: (331hr Karnak Twins)
Absolutely recommend. 8/10 right now, will easily be a 9 pushing 10 after release + DLC
(8/10)

As Tide games are known to do, this game has the most satisfying, impactful, and gritty melee combat of any game released to date. From the ogryn's meaty slap to the Power Sword's electric swing, every action looks, sounds, and FEELS like it should. But now, ontop of this vast melee system that FatShark has built for years, they have added a suite of ranged options, and it's just as good, if not better.

The game is beautiful from graphics to mechanics and I truly cannot wait to see how it evolves. It it receives even half of the support that VT2 did, it will surely be their biggest and best title for years to come.

To be a fair and honest review, there are some issues with stability at the moment, but I have full faith they'll keep working until this game is as polished as the golden throne.

Best played with friends.

(8/10)
The game is still fantastic. I'm through about 65% of the content now and it's absolutely worth the cost for the hours of fun, and future content as well. The actual gameplay is replaying a good number of missions, with modifiers, and gathering materials to craft the best loadout possible. I'm starting to break into harder difficulties as I'm learning how to make different builds, and the matchmaking is pairing me up with similar skilled players. I think I've crashed twice in my playtime since my last review, stability has greatly improved.

You SHOULD buy this game if:
- You like a difficult hardcore co-op experience
- You enjoy strategizing with different builds
- You enjoy a "one more game" progression system
- You have friends who like planning and execution

You should NOT buy this game if:
- You want a roguelike, different everytime, experience
- You aren't a fan of grinding for loot
- You want a relaxing hack & slasher
- You want to master weapons quickly

(8/10)
24 more in-game hours and a few months later, the core gameplay is still a blast. Melee is still frantic, ranged is still strategic, and the multitude of weapons still feel amazing and unique. A few new weapons and maps have been added, but they're not breaking the mold in any way, just good reliable additions.

However, I feel obligated to talk about how the game stalls over time. From my 81hr review, the "grind" aspect of this game originally is trying to beat each level on its highest difficulty. Once you complete that, the only incentive is to attain better gear (and maybe try for achievements to get cosmetics). This most certainly is a snoozefest for the majority of players, (at least going by steam charts numbers).

I would absolutely still recommend buying this game though, as the cost per hours of fun is certainly worth it. Just know that if you intend on playing this, and only this, you may be disappointed.

The combat system absolutely carries this game, and if they can slowly but surely add more content it will be an incredible game in the long haul.

(8.5/10)
With every major update they continue to address QoL issues and the game is now in a very good state. The new class system is phenomenal and really smooths out the progression for each class.

They added a "For the emperor" button and now everyone is shouting it like rock&stone. And with release on Xbox, finding a match is always quick.

Highly recommend getting into it, now more than ever. You can make unique classes and builds for a long long time.

They also teased more levels and additional content coming soon. Excited, but really looking forward to new unique additions. There's only so many basic mission types you can add before they start to blend together.

(9/10)
With a few more hours under my belt and a lot more familiarity with the new build system I can confidently say that this is my favorite game of the past 5-6 years. There is an endless depth to building classes and learning weapons that is built ontop of a basic combat system that is so SO much fun.

The part 1 anniversary update added a new map and it makes me incredibly hopeful for the future. The new map is incredible. The art is beautiful and distinct from the other areas, the soundtrack is blood pumping mayhem, the difficulty and design of the level is superb. If this is the route that the game will continue on, I am insanely excited for whats to come.

Cannot recommend this game enough.

(9/10)
They've updated the game with Stimms and a new special boss fight. Easily the best content the game has gotten. The hardmode fight is awesome and requires real teamwork / strategy. Not much more to say this time, mostly working through grinding out better versions of the new variants. Would LOVE a melta but that might be a ways off. Hoping that their content team is back full swing after the holidays, if its anything like their most recent missions, we're going to have so many incredible experiences.

EDIT: (81hr review) EDIT: (105hr review below that) EDIT: (140hr post-class rework) EDIT: (230hr aniv. part 1 update) EDIT: (331hr Karnak Twins) [h3][Nov 28, T-Minus 2 days until launch review]:[/h3] Absolutely recommend. 8/10 right now, will easily be a 9 pushing 10 after release + DLC (8/10) As Tide games are known to do, this game has the most satisfying, impactful, and gritty melee combat of any game released to date. From the ogryn's meaty slap to the Power Sword's electric swing, every action looks, sounds, and FEELS like it should. But now, ontop of this vast melee system that FatShark has built for years, they have added a suite of ranged options, and it's just as good, if not better. The game is beautiful from graphics to mechanics and I truly cannot wait to see how it evolves. It it receives even half of the support that VT2 did, it will surely be their biggest and best title for years to come. To be a fair and honest review, there are some issues with stability at the moment, but I have full faith they'll keep working until this game is as polished as the golden throne. Best played with friends. [h3]EDIT: (81hrs further)[/h3] (8/10) The game is still fantastic. I'm through about 65% of the content now and it's absolutely worth the cost for the hours of fun, and future content as well. The actual gameplay is replaying a good number of missions, with modifiers, and gathering materials to craft the best loadout possible. I'm starting to break into harder difficulties as I'm learning how to make different builds, and the matchmaking is pairing me up with similar skilled players. I think I've crashed twice in my playtime since my last review, stability has greatly improved. You SHOULD buy this game if: - You like a difficult hardcore co-op experience - You enjoy strategizing with different builds - You enjoy a "one more game" progression system - You have friends who like planning and execution You should NOT buy this game if: - You want a roguelike, different everytime, experience - You aren't a fan of grinding for loot - You want a relaxing hack & slasher - You want to master weapons quickly [h3]EDIT: (105hr review)[/h3] (8/10) 24 more in-game hours and a few months later, the core gameplay is still a blast. Melee is still frantic, ranged is still strategic, and the multitude of weapons still feel amazing and unique. A few new weapons and maps have been added, but they're not breaking the mold in any way, just good reliable additions. However, I feel obligated to talk about how the game stalls over time. From my 81hr review, the "grind" aspect of this game originally is trying to beat each level on its highest difficulty. Once you complete that, the only incentive is to attain better gear (and maybe try for achievements to get cosmetics). This most certainly is a snoozefest for the majority of players, (at least going by steam charts numbers). I would absolutely still recommend buying this game though, as the cost per hours of fun is certainly worth it. Just know that if you intend on playing this, and only this, you may be disappointed. The combat system absolutely carries this game, and if they can slowly but surely add more content it will be an incredible game in the long haul. [h3]EDIT: (140hr post-class rework)[/h3] (8.5/10) With every major update they continue to address QoL issues and the game is now in a very good state. The new class system is phenomenal and really smooths out the progression for each class. They added a "For the emperor" button and now everyone is shouting it like rock&stone. And with release on Xbox, finding a match is always quick. Highly recommend getting into it, now more than ever. You can make unique classes and builds for a long long time. They also teased more levels and additional content coming soon. Excited, but really looking forward to new unique additions. There's only so many basic mission types you can add before they start to blend together. [h3]EDIT: (240hr review)[/h3] (9/10) With a few more hours under my belt and a lot more familiarity with the new build system I can confidently say that this is my favorite game of the past 5-6 years. There is an endless depth to building classes and learning weapons that is built ontop of a basic combat system that is so SO much fun. The part 1 anniversary update added a new map and it makes me incredibly hopeful for the future. The new map is incredible. The art is beautiful and distinct from the other areas, the soundtrack is blood pumping mayhem, the difficulty and design of the level is superb. If this is the route that the game will continue on, I am insanely excited for whats to come. Cannot recommend this game enough. [h3]EDIT: (331hr review)[/h3] (9/10) They've updated the game with Stimms and a new special boss fight. Easily the best content the game has gotten. The hardmode fight is awesome and requires real teamwork / strategy. Not much more to say this time, mostly working through grinding out better versions of the new variants. Would LOVE a melta but that might be a ways off. Hoping that their content team is back full swing after the holidays, if its anything like their most recent missions, we're going to have so many incredible experiences.