Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has finally arrived on PlayStation 5, bringing the atmosphere of a dystopian universe to next-gen consoles. After a successful launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S, Fatshark's cooperative action adventure has managed to harness the potential of the powerful PlayStation 5 hardware. We bring you impressions of how the game has adapted to Sony's console and what you can expect if you dive into this brutal world.
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. The hive city of Tertium, where the game takes place, exudes a grim atmosphere that perfectly captures the Warhammer 40,000 world – dark, claustrophobic, and utterly hopeless.
With support for ray tracing, reflections and lighting effects look stunning, especially in areas filled with industrial metal and light sources. The details on character models, such as their armor, weapons, and the terrifying mutations of enemies, clearly show that Fatshark has taken the adaptation of the game for consoles seriously.
Performance
On a technical level, the game offers options for Performance Mode (60 FPS) and Quality Mode (4K with lower frame rates). Our testing found that Performance Mode provides a significantly 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 diminish 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 jolt of the weapon and hit from an enemy is felt in the hands, while sounds coming from the controller further enhance immersion.
On the PlayStation 5 Pro console, the game runs at 60 frames per second at 4K resolution!
Gameplay – New Control Adaptation
The game has adapted perfectly to the PlayStation controller. While the original PC version required mouse precision for aiming and keyboard speed for movement, the console version utilizes smart control mapping, allowing for smooth navigation and precise targeting.
Cooperative mechanics remain at the core of the game. A team of four players must collaborate to survive enemy onslaughts, complete tasks, and progress through missions. Each character class has specific abilities, and a balanced team is the key to success. The PlayStation 5 version allows for 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 diverse, but the emphasis remains on a combination of melee and ranged combat.
The combat is intense and visceral, with enemies coming in huge hordes. The game requires good coordination among team members, as missions are designed to punish individualism. Each of the four available characters has specific abilities and roles, allowing for a tactical approach to battles.
Progression and customization
Players are allowed to customize their characters through various options for equipment, abilities, and cosmetics. However, the progression system has received mixed reactions – while some enjoy the challenge and grind, others find the progress too slow and repetitive, especially in the later stages of the game.
Content and progression
Darktide is known for its intense battles and variety of enemies, and the PlayStation 5 version brings all existing content along with several optimizations. The progression system has now been improved, allowing players easier access to character personalization and weapon customization.
In addition to the main 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 runs smoothly, with minimal lag and a stable connection even in the most intense scenes.
New content recently available on all platforms
Grim Protocols Update: This free update includes a new game mode, a new mission, new families of weapons, and a special event for the second anniversary of the game.
New game mode - Havoc: This endgame 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: High-damage melee weapon with wide attacks.
- Two-handed force sword: Combines melee and psychic powers.
- Heavy machine gun for Ogryn: Heavy fire weapon for support.
New mission - Dark Communion: Players return to Carnival to explore its darkest corners and face hordes of cultists.
Game sample provided for review by the development studio Fatshark
