Introduction
Nearly five years after its debut on consoles and the Epic Games Store, Dauntless made its highly anticipated launch on Steam on December 5. However, the transition hasn’t been smooth, as the community’s reception has been less than favorable.
Community Backlash
Just a week post-launch, Steam reviews for Dauntless have plunged into “overwhelmingly negative” territory, with only 19.21% positive feedback noted by SteamDB. The majority of negative reviews arise due to significant gameplay changes implemented by Phoenix Labs in the recent Awakening update. Many players feel these alterations have detracted from their overall experience.
Reset Progression and Monetization Concerns
One of the most contentious updates is the reset of player progression, forcing both new and returning players to replay quests and relevel weapons they had previously mastered. This has understandably frustrated many, as time spent mastering gameplay mechanics feels wasted. Furthermore, the new introduction of canisters, a loot box system linked to the season pass and premium currency, has sparked further discontent, adding to the growing list of complaints. Players on the Dauntless subreddit are vocal about feeling slighted by these changes, with many lamenting the removals of several weapons that have undermined build diversity.
Despite efforts from the developer to add new abilities, the community remains unconvinced that these additions can offset the lost depth of gameplay. Additionally, performance issues reported from both PS5 and Xbox Series consoles have compounded these challenges, with players experiencing inconsistent performance levels.
As Dauntless navigates these turbulent waters, it remains to be seen how the developers will address community concerns moving forward.
