Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is a visceral, four-player cooperative action shooter RPG set in the oppressive hive city of Tertium. You join forces with allies to fight hordes of enemies as you attempt to root out a heretical cult threatening the planet. The core loop involves intense, squad-based missions blending first-person shooting with brutal melee combat, demanding tactical coordination to survive the overwhelming Chaos onslaught. Released in 2022, this title is available on PC and current-gen consoles, and has received post-launch DLC expansions.

This is a visceral, four-player cooperative action game set deep within the grim, sprawling hive city of Tertium in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Players take on the roles of convicts pressed into service by the Inquisition, tasked with rooting out a heretical cult known as the Admonition that threatens to plunge the planet Atoma Prime into Chaos. The core experience revolves around intense, squad-based combat against overwhelming hordes of enemies, blending ranged firepower with brutal melee engagement in a dark, oppressive atmosphere.

Setting and Atmosphere

The game immerses players in the suffocating depths of a massive, industrialized hive city. This setting is characterized by extreme verticality, industrial decay, and pervasive darkness, providing a backdrop for desperate survival missions. The narrative centers on the fight against corruption and heresy, requiring players to navigate treacherous environments while battling mutated foes and fanatical cultists.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay loop focuses on completing critical missions across various districts of the hive city. Players select from distinct character classes, each offering unique skill trees and playstyles, encouraging tactical team composition. Success hinges on coordinating actions across the four-person squad.

Combat System

Combat is a demanding mix of first-person shooting and close-quarters melee fighting. Players must manage constant enemy pressure, utilize cover effectively, and coordinate special abilities between squad members. Weapon handling is designed to feel weighty and impactful, whether wielding heavy bolters or chainswords, emphasizing the brutality of the setting.

Progression and Customization

As players complete missions, they earn experience and resources used to upgrade their gear and unlock new abilities within their chosen class structure. This Role-playing (RPG) element allows for specialization, tailoring characters to specific combat roles within the team composition.

What makes this cooperative shooter unique?

The game distinguishes itself through its uncompromising commitment to the dark, gothic aesthetic of the Warhammer 40,000 setting, translating the universe's brutal scale into a cooperative shooter format. The constant pressure from massive enemy waves demands constant communication and adaptation from the team to survive the onslaught.

What is the current state of content for this title?

Released in late 2022, this main title is available across PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), and Xbox Series X|S. The core experience has been expanded through the release of additional downloadable content packages, which introduce new missions, gear, and gameplay features to the established framework.