Warhammer 40,000: Darktide finally arrived on the PlayStation 5, bringing the atmosphere of the dystopian universe to next-generation consoles. After a successful launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S, Fatshark's co-op action adventure has managed to harness the potential of the PlayStation 5's powerful hardware.
First impressions and presentation
From the very beginning, Darktide impresses with its visual presentation. Thanks to the power of the PlayStation 5, textures, lighting and environmental details are further enhanced. Hive city Tertium, where the game takes place, exudes a gloomy atmosphere that perfectly evokes the world of Warhammer 40,000 - dark, claustrophobic and completely without hope.
With ray tracing support, reflections and lighting effects look stunning, especially in areas with lots of industrial metal and light sources. The details on the character models, such as their armor, weapons and the terrifying mutations of the opponents, clearly show that Fatshark took the game adaptation to consoles seriously.
Performance
On a technical level, the game offers options for Performance Mode (60 FPS) and Quality Mode (4K with lower frame rate). Through testing, we found that Performance Mode provides a much smoother experience, which is crucial for intense battles that require precision and quick reactions. Quality Mode is visually impressive, but the slightly lower FPS can reduce the enjoyment in more dynamic scenes.
The use of haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the DualSense controller adds a new dimension to the game. Every recoil of the weapon and blow of the enemy is felt in the hands, while the sounds coming from the controller further enhance the immersion.
On the PlayStation 5 Pro console, the game runs at 60 frames per second at 4K resolution!
Gameplay – new adaptation of controls
The game adapted perfectly to the PlayStation controller. While the original PC version required the precision of the mouse to aim and the speed of the keyboard to move, the console version uses smart control mapping, allowing for smooth navigation and precise aiming.
Cooperative mechanics remain at the heart of the game. A team of four players must work together to survive enemy infestations, solve quests, and progress through missions. Each character class has specific abilities, and a balanced team is the key to success. The PlayStation 5 version allows fluid communication through voice chats and smart interface design.
Gameplay in general
Darktide takes many elements from the Vermintide series, including frenetic melee combat, but adds firearms as a key component. Weapons like lasers, bolters, and flamethrowers make the gameplay more varied, but the emphasis is still on a combination of melee and ranged combat.
Combat is intense and visceral, with enemies coming in huge hordes. The game requires good coordination among team members, as the missions are designed to punish individualism. Each of the four available characters has specific abilities and roles, which allows for a tactical approach to combat.
Progression and adaptation
Players are allowed to customize their characters through various options for equipment, abilities and cosmetics. However, progression system it was met with mixed reactions – while some enjoy the challenge and grind, others find the progression too slow and repetitive, especially in the later stages of the game.
Content and progress
Darktide is known for its intense combat and variety of enemies, and the PlayStation 5 version brings all the previous content with a few optimizations. The progression system has now been improved, giving players easier access to character personalization and weapon customization.
In addition to the basic missions, the game also offers high-risk challenges for experienced players, where every wrong step can mean the death of the entire team. The multiplayer component works without problems, with minimal delays and a stable connection even in the most intense scenes.
New content available recently on all platforms
Grim Protocols Update: This free update includes a new game mode, a new mission, new weapon families, and a special event celebrating the game's second anniversary.
New način games - Havoc: This endgame game mode tests the skills of the most experienced players through 40 increasingly difficult levels with unique modifiers and mutators.
Three new weapon families:
- Two-handed power sword: A high-damage melee weapon with wide attacks.
- Two-handed force sword: Combines melee and psychic powers.
- Heavy machine gun for the Ogryn: Heavy Firearms for Support.
New misija - Dark Communion: Players return to Carnival to explore its darkest corners and face hordes of cultists
A copy of the game was provided by the development studio Fatshark for review purposes
