Defend the remaining humans
Dauntless is a free-to-play multiplayer game set in the vast open world of Shattered Isles, a place on the verge of destruction. It’s your duty to defend the last remaining humans falling prey to invading Behemoths.
Blood and treasure
Team up with up to three players privately or online and go on the hunt to slay ferocious Behemoths threatening your world’s existence.
Gather your fellow Slayers, or go on solo adventures hunting and killing enemies, gathering loot and becoming stronger to face epic battles against world bosses.
You play in third-person view and use a hack-and-slash combo system to attack the creature while monitoring your health and stamina gauge.
You choose your weapon and attack style. Each comes with benefits and disadvantages; do fast-paced swings with your sword or mighty, yet slow strikes with a battleaxe. But no matter how strong your weapon or how good your gear is, your skills and combos matter the most. You’ll need to examine the monster’s vulnerable spots, like limbs or head, keep their elemental attributes in mind, and make every attack count.
Harvest hides, scales, feathers, etc. from slain monsters which you can use as crafting materials for your equipment. An ice monster provides you with the necessary items to forge ice-based weapons or armor, which then either harm fire type enemies more or reduce ice damage you receive, and so on.
It's an addictive gameplay loop that rewards commitment and most importantly, as a F2P game it doesn't push you to spend money for unfair advantages. Most micro-transactions are for cosmetic stuff only.
Where can you run this program?
Dauntless runs Windows 7 and up. It’s also available on PS4 and Xbox One. The best part is online multiplayer works cross-platform between the three.
Is there a better alternative?
No. As a free-to-play game, Dauntless delivers in every aspect as a co-op multiplayer fantasy game. The most obvious comparison would be Monster Hunter, a good game in its own right, but not free.
Our take
This game provides a lot of fun for fans of co-op multiplayer games without the usual predatory tactics of F2P titles. Though frame rates may drop in certain areas, the game’s addicting gameplay more than make up for it.
Should you download it?
Yes. Many critics highly rate Dauntless for good reasons; the hunts are exciting, and the long epic boss fights and subsequent looting and crafting feel very satisfying.
