Dauntless

Dauntless is a free-to-play action RPG set in a fantastical world of the Shattered Isles, where players embody Slayers tasked with hunting colossal Behemoths—massive, mythical creatures threatening humanity. In this behind-the-view, real-time cooperative multiplayer adventure supporting 2-4 players online, Slayers engage in intense direct-control combat, craft gear from defeated monsters, and explore a vibrant fantasy setting developed by Phoenix Labs and published by Epic Games.

Dauntless: Review

Introduction

In a shattered world suspended on floating isles amid an endless sky, where colossal beasts devour the very essence holding civilization aloft, Dauntless emerges as a beacon of cooperative fury and strategic crafting. Released in 2019 by Phoenix Labs, this free-to-play action RPG draws players into the role of elite Slayers battling Behemoths—towering monsters born from a cataclysmic Upheaval that fragmented the earth. As a journalist with a deep appreciation for the evolution of hunting games from arcade brawlers to modern multiplayer epics, I’ve tracked Dauntless from its 2016 reveal at The Game Awards through its betas, launches, and eventual sunset in 2025. What began as an ambitious riff on Monster Hunter‘s formula blossomed into a polished gateway for newcomers to the genre, emphasizing accessibility, cross-platform camaraderie, and relentless progression. Yet, its tragic end, marked by server shutdowns following corporate turmoil, underscores the fragility of live-service titles. My thesis: Dauntless masterfully democratized monster-slaying for a global audience, forging a legacy of inclusive co-op innovation, but its repetitive core and abrupt closure reveal the perils of free-to-play dependency in an industry craving depth.

Development History & Context

Phoenix Labs, founded in 2014 by former Riot Games developers Jesse Houston (CEO), Sean Bender (CFO), and Robin Mayne (VP of Development), burst onto the scene as a Vancouver-based indie studio with AAA aspirations. Comprising talent from BioWare, Blizzard, and Capcom—boasting over 6,000 collective hours in Monster Hunter titles—the team sought to craft “a new, unique approach to AAA experiences” without the bloat of traditional blockbusters. Dauntless originated in late 2014 as their debut project, inspired by the grinding hunts of Monster Hunter, the punishing precision of Dark Souls, and the persistent social ecosystems of World of Warcraft. Houston envisioned a cooperative-focused game that proved hardcore PvE action could thrive beyond paywalls, crediting Dark Souls for validating demand for skill-based environmental challenges.

Technological constraints shaped its evolution. Built on Unreal Engine 4 for its robust multiplayer tools and scalability, Dauntless navigated the era’s free-to-play boom—post-Fortnite and amid loot box controversies. Early alphas in 2017 (starting August 18) and betas (open beta May 2018) exposed stability issues and balance woes, delaying full release from Q4 2017 to 2019. Phoenix Labs iterated rapidly, incorporating player feedback via transparent roadmaps and premium alpha access packages that included cosmetics but no pay-to-win elements. By PAX East 2017, core combat was locked in, but alphas revealed the need to simplify Monster Hunter‘s complexity for broader appeal.

The 2018 gaming landscape was pivotal. Monster Hunter: World exploded in January, selling over 20 million copies and mainstreaming the genre, but its $60 price and steep learning curve left room for a free alternative. Phoenix Labs embraced this, viewing World as an ally that expanded the audience—Dauntless dipped briefly post-launch but rebounded to 3 million players by May 2019. Partnerships were key: Epic Games published console versions, enabling seamless cross-play across PC, PS4, and Xbox One at launch (May 21, 2019), making Dauntless the first title to ship with full tri-platform support. This leveraged Epic’s Fortnite infrastructure, bypassing Sony’s historical resistance. Nintendo Switch (December 2019), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S (December 2021) followed, with progression syncing via a “One Dauntless” system.

Monetization evolved thoughtfully. Initial loot boxes were scrapped in 2017 amid industry backlash—Houston, a Mass Effect 3 veteran, prioritized “a clearer relationship to content” with direct cosmetic purchases and battle passes (Hunt and Season Passes). The 1.0 launch (September 26, 2019) with “Aether Unbound” expansion hit 15 million players, but challenges persisted: server strain doubled the base to 6 million overnight, and free-to-play demands required constant updates. The 2024 “Awakening” revamp added 18 weapons and Steam support but alienated fans with loot boxes and progression locks, leading to review bombing. Acquired by blockchain firm Forte Labs in 2023, Phoenix faced layoffs (May 2024 and January 2025), culminating in shutdown announcement (February 2025) and servers offline May 30, 2025. In an era of live-service volatility, Dauntless exemplified indie resilience against corporate overreach.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Dauntless unfolds in the Shattered Isles, a post-apocalyptic fantasy realm fractured by the Upheaval—a cataclysm that splintered continents into aether-sustained floating archipelagos. Humanity clings to survival in Ramsgate, the last bastion, where Slayers like the player defend against Behemoths: ravenous titans that consume aether, the mystical energy preventing the isles’ plummet into the Sky Below. The plot is sparse, delivered via terse quest logs, environmental storytelling, and hub dialogues, eschewing cinematic cutscenes for emergent lore. You awaken as a novice Slayer, mentored by figures like Arkan Drew, who activates the Portal Driver to evacuate Ramsgate from the Umbral Deeps—a comet-like threat—in the “Void Runners” arc. Themes of defiance and reclamation dominate: “Defy Extinction” isn’t just a tagline; it’s a mantra against ecological collapse, with Behemoths symbolizing unchecked consumption mirroring real-world environmental woes.

Characters are archetypal but functional. Quest-givers like the grizzled blacksmith Katerin or the enigmatic Farslayer Xelya provide flavor—Katerin embodies resilient craftsmanship, while Xelya’s Arbourhome exiles highlight factional tensions amid terra aether corruption. Dialogue is concise, often witty (“Hunt big or go home”), fostering camaraderie over deep bonds. Behemoths shine as “characters”: the owl-bear Shrike’s territorial roars evoke primal guardianship; the lightning-fast Drask’s thunderous charges personify nature’s fury; the disco-like Rezakiri’s bullet-hell lasers blend whimsy with peril. Underlying themes probe legacy and adaptation—Slayers “forge your legend” by repurposing Behemoth parts, turning predators into protectors, echoing Dark Souls‘ cycle of ruin and renewal.

Yet, the narrative falters in depth. Post-Awakening (2024), the Master questline vanished, and progression locks diluted lore immersion. No multi-layered arcs exist; it’s a framework for hunts, not emotional investment. Thematically, it critiques exploitation—Behemoths as metaphors for resource depletion—but under-explores human cost, like Ramsgate’s destruction in “Relics and Ruin.” Compared to Monster Hunter‘s subtle ecosystem tales, Dauntless prioritizes action, rendering its world a vibrant backdrop rather than a lived-in saga. Still, its cooperative ethos shines: shared hunts build player narratives, turning faceless Slayers into legends through triumphs over the abyss.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, Dauntless distills monster hunting into a taut loop: hunt, craft, repeat. Players embody Slayers in third-person action combat, facing Behemoths in 10-20 minute encounters across procedurally generated isles. Core mechanics emphasize timing, positioning, and synergy—dodge-rolls grant i-frames for “deadly dodging,” while stamina management prevents overcommitment. Combat deconstructs via damage types: Basic (grey, health depletion), Part (yellow, breaks for loot), Stagger (blue, headshots for dazes), and Wound (red, amplifies breaks). Behemoths telegraph attacks vividly—Quillshot’s quill barrages demand rolls; Boreus summons minions for buffs—rewarding pattern mastery over button-mashing.

Seven weapons (expanding to 18 post-Awakening) define playstyles, each with unique specials and cells (socketed buffs like +damage or +health). The Sword, a Jack-of-All-Trades, builds aether for beams; Hammers excel at stagger via cannon blasts and rocket jumps; Chain Blades enable flash-step reels for mobility; Axes charge devastating combos; War Pikes inflict wounds for team amps, doubling as boom sticks; Ostian Repeaters offer gunslinger customization (traps, buffs) with close-range incentives; Aether Strikers punch mantras for escalating techniques. Progression ties to Mastery ranks: repeated use unlocks upgrades, encouraging experimentation without punishing switches—though early investments (e.g., Axe cells) demand grinding if pivoting.

Systems innovate accessibly. Elemental rock-paper-scissors (Blaze beats Frost, etc.) gates viability—fire gear tanks ice attacks, amplifying strategy. Crafting is robust: loot forges weapons/armor, dyes, and potions; no paywalls block power, but Hunt Passes accelerate cosmetics. UI is intuitive—direct control, radial menus—but Awakening‘s quest revamp and loot boxes locked gear behind passes, eroding fairness. Multiplayer shines: 2-4 player co-op (up to 6 public) with seamless cross-play; revives mitigate deaths, but solo play slashes rewards, pushing social play. Flaws emerge in repetition—hunts devolve to “chasing your tail” without interrupts—and Escalation mode’s boss rushes (to level 50) gate endgame via RNG perks. Innovative anti-frustration like auto-retrieving Axes or non-lethal falls smooth edges, but bugs (e.g., Switch lag) and grindy early game test patience. Overall, mechanics forge a “difficult but awesome” rhythm, prioritizing co-op flow over solo depth.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The Shattered Isles captivate as a verdant, perilous frontier: Ramsgate’s cobblestone hub bustles with forges and dog-petting diversions, contrasting the Maelstrom’s turbulent voids and biodiverse biomes—lush Temperate groves, arid dunes, frozen tundras. World-building evokes Disney’s Tangled whimsy: non-lethal bottomless pits return you harmlessly, aether orbs heal on contact, and flora shines with “notice this” glows for gathering. Lore unfolds environmentally—Archonite veins sustain isles, Behemoths’ aether gluttony causes drops like Sandrian’s Stone—blending fantasy ecology with survival stakes. Post-Awakening, Ramsgate’s redesign (post-Umbral evacuation) adds verticality, but lost Master quests dilute immersion.

Art direction thrives on stylized vibrancy: cel-shaded models avoid hyper-realism for timeless appeal, with Behemoths as mix-and-match marvels—Shrike’s owl-bear glide, Pangar’s beaver-pangolin roll. Colors pop—fiery Hellions against verdant backdrops—enhancing readability amid chaos. Environments feel alive yet sparse; no dense ecosystems like Monster Hunter, but dynamic weather (storms for Shock Behemoths) and portals (Rezakiri’s escapes) inject variety. UI integrates seamlessly, with color-coded damage pops guiding focus.

Sound design elevates hunts: Wwise-powered audio delivers visceral impacts—hammer thuds, chain whirs—and Behemoth roars that telegraph danger (Drask’s lightning crackle). Variable-mix scores shift intensity on enrage, blending orchestral swells with percussive urgency; Danger mode’s tense drums amp peril. Voice acting is sparse but charming—Slayers’ quips foster camaraderie—while ambient winds and beast cries build atmosphere. Collectively, these elements immerse without overwhelming, contributing a rhythmic, exhilarating experience that masks lighter world depth.

Reception & Legacy

Upon early access (May 2019) and 1.0 launch, Dauntless garnered solid acclaim, averaging 78/100 on Metacritic (PC), 80 (PS4), 82 (Xbox One), and 73 (Switch). Critics lauded its “insanely fun” combat and cross-play (IGN: 8.5/10), calling it “Monster Hunter for those without time or money” (USgamer: 80%). PlayStation Universe deemed it “compulsory” (90%), praising polish and endless growth, while GameSpot (7/10) noted emptiness but vibrant multiplayer. Switch ports drew ire for framerate dips (Video Chums: 5.5/10), yet core appeal endured. Players rated lower (2.8/5 on MobyGames), citing repetition, but 15 million at 1.0 launch signaled commercial success—peaking at millions daily via free access.

Reputation evolved with updates: “Aether Unbound” refreshed content, but Awakening (December 2024) bombed Steam (Overwhelmingly Negative) for paywalling gear and removing refinorging, alienating veterans. Shutdown news (2025) sparked nostalgia and outrage, with forums mourning lost progress. Influentially, Dauntless pioneered F2P hunting—streamlining Monster Hunter for co-op masses, inspiring titles like Wild Hearts in accessibility and cross-play. It normalized battle passes sans loot boxes, shaping ethical monetization, and proved indies could rival AAA in live-service (PAX awards for co-op/multiplayer). Yet, Forte’s acquisition and layoffs highlight industry woes: blockchain pivots killed a 50-million-player phenomenon. Dauntless endures as a cautionary triumph—expanding genres while exposing live-service ephemerality.

Conclusion

Dauntless carves a defiant niche in gaming history: a free-to-play revolution that honed Monster Hunter‘s essence into bite-sized, social hunts, amassing millions through innovative cross-play and fair progression. Its strengths—nuanced weapons, thematic resilience, stylized allure—outshine flaws like narrative thinness and late-stage repetition, delivering addictive co-op that hooked casuals and veterans alike. Yet, its 2025 demise, born of corporate shortsightedness, tempers triumph with tragedy, reminding us of digital impermanence. As a pivotal gateway to the hunting genre, Dauntless earns a definitive 8/10—essential for co-op enthusiasts, a foundational artifact in F2P evolution. Though servers silence, its spirit soars eternal in the Shattered Isles of memory.