Deal | Brutal co-op shooter drops below $10 on Steam for the first time
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide comes from the Swedish developer Fatshark, known for bringing the fantasy side of the Warhammer universe to life with Vermintide and Vermintide 2. Released in November 2022, Darktide carries the same proven co-op formula into the grimdark future of the 41st millennium. The massive hive city of Tertium is threatened by the endless hordes of the plague god – and only the Inquisition stands against them.
In Darktide, players step into the boots of four prisoners forcibly conscripted by the Inquisition. Their mission is to purge the twisted forces of Chaos. Battles unfold across crumbling cathedrals, toxic industrial zones and the tightly packed slums of Tertium. The base game offers four distinct classes: the Veteran, a sharpshooter focused on ranged combat; the towering Ogryn, built for close-quarters brawling; the fervent Zealot, who excels through sheer aggression; and the Psyker, a psychic warrior whose abilities resemble those of a traditional mage. Each class can be customized through a deep skill tree to support different playstyles.
Darktide delivers intense co-op action that, according to IGN, ranks among the best since Left 4 Dead 2. While it builds on the melee-heavy foundation of the Vermintide series, this installment places greater emphasis on ranged combat. Players wield everything from assault rifles and shotguns to flamethrowers and iconic Warhammer 40K weapons such as bolters and lasguns. Still, melee remains one of the game’s standout features. The fluid mix of dodging, blocking and striking feels tight and responsive, and the wide range of weapons keeps combat fresh. Energy swords, for example, are ideal for mowing down hordes, while chain axes excel at tearing through heavily armored enemies.
Across 17 unique missions, players face off against infected hordes while completing specific objectives. Tasks range from taking down powerful bosses and restarting decaying industrial machinery to stopping a train loaded with explosives. Completing missions rewards players with upgraded gear and valuable resources, which can be used in the game's robust crafting system to create powerful new weapons.
At launch, IGN praised Warhammer 40,000: Darktide for its intense co-op gameplay, outstanding melee combat and richly detailed atmosphere. The clearly defined classes and wide range of enemy types also received positive mentions. However, the game was criticized for its underwhelming story and technical issues – many of which have since been addressed. The endgame, which felt lacking at release, has likewise seen major improvements over time.
On Metacritic, Darktide holds a solid Metascore of 74, but its User Score sits lower at 5.5 – largely due to early player reviews highlighting the game's rough technical state at launch. In contrast, the Steam community has been more forgiving, with over 120,000 reviews averaging 71% positive.
75% off on Steam
Darktide is usually priced at around $40 on Steam, but until December 11 it is available at a 75% discount, bringing the price down to just under $10. According to SteamDB, this is the lowest price the game has ever seen – previous sales never went beyond a 60% reduction. On the Steam Deck (currently listed on Amazon for $770), the game is marked as “Playable” and should run well on the go with a few tweaks.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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