While it’s still in beta, and while I am still recording footage and composing more detailed thoughts on Warhammer: End Times- Vermintide, I thought I’d jot down a few brief impressions.

First off, the game is beautiful. While it has yet to be optimized, for the most part it runs well. Some weather and lighting effects aren’t in place, as it is still in the final stages of tweaking and optimization. But overall the game looks and runs great. Combat is meaty with real weight behind it. Speaking of combat, I think that may well be where Vermintide will nail the horde shooter. So many titles in this genre rely on gunplay, but Vermintide forces you to get up close an personal as you hack limbs and heads off. Or pulp said heads with a warhammer. And no, those are not exaggerations. In my efforts to save my Bright Wizard, I stepped in close with the dwarf, bashed the Skaven back with my shield and then brought my hammer down on his head. Much to my surprise and delight, his head pulped into a gory mess of blood and bone, sending his still flailing body stumbling backwards. It was satisfying and visceral.

Levels are expansive and reward exploration. Enemies are sneaky, dropping from walls behind you or erupting from the sewers and back alleys. The game has a nice sense of pacing and flow, and each class is truly unique. The Witch Hunter is an arrogant bastard who wields a sword and a brace of pistols. The Brithg Wizard can lay down massive AOE damage from afar, but don’t overuse your abilities or you will -quite literally- explode.

More thoughts are coming, but for now, Verminitide looks VERY promising. Its pretty, fun to play and nails it’s aesthetic.