The End Times: Vermintide
Vermintide is a co-operative action first person adventure based on Warhammer Fantasy's The End Times and developed by Fatshark. The game is slated for a Q3 2015 release for the PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
Setting
The game is set during the End Times, the apocalyptic event that's basically all hell breaking loose in the entire Warhammer world. One of those notable events are the Skaven launching a worldwide invasion on the surface world, seeking to destroy and conquer everybody who isn't a skaven. The game takes place in the Empire city of Ubersreik, which is one of the Skaven's many targets, and the players will take control of five heroes attempting to save the city from the under menace, or else be swept away by the Vermintide... Though considering the current events of The End Times, they are doomed to fail, because in the current events of the End Times, the Empire is down to only one city (which is then taken over because a certain elf stole the divine power that kept it from falling). Then to add further insult to injury, the final End Times campaign book has the Warhammer world destroyed, making whatever great achievements the players get utterly pointless.
Gameplay
The game is stated to be just like Left 4 Dead. As you can expect, the Skaven are basically like the infected. The regular Skaven use zerg rush tactics, and attempt to swarm over the players with their huge numbers, though they are very weak and will go down easily. They will also serve as distractions for specialist Skaven units like the Ratling Gunners, the Poison Wind Globadiers and Rat Orgres to name of few.
Players will take control of five heroes:
- Victor Saltzpyre, a Witch Hunter
- Sienna Fuegonasus, a Bright Wizard
- Markus Kruber, an Empire Soldier
- Kerillian, a Wood Elf Waywatcher
- Bardin Goreksson, a Dwarven Ranger
Each have their own strength and weaknesses. For instance, the Bright Wizard can use devastating fire spells and doesn't have a limit of how many times she uses them, but overusing her powers without taking a break will cause her to damage herself.
There is also our favourite rat-rats, the Skaven and will be the main enemy. In addition to Skaven Slaves and Clan Rats (main horde), there is special Skaven that are meant to prove a more deadly threat (to you and the other Skaven due to the life is cheap motto).
These Special Skaven are:
Poison Wind Globadier-Throws poisoned globes at you that spread poison gas across an area for a temporary amount of time. If their gas tank on their back is damaged, they will rush you to damage you before their tank explodes.
Stormvermin-The elite who with their halberds can block and parry your attacks. Tougher and commands lesser Skaven scum-scum in battle.
Rat Ogre-The big guy. Can pick up the heroes and chuck them into nearby objects or off a deadly drop if you are unlucky. Requires team effort to kill.
Gutter Runner-Can run fast and leap upon a hero and pinned him/her to the ground while slashing the life out of them. If attacked, they will roll back and disappear in a cloud of smoke.
Packmaster--Wields steel prongs which can clasp round a hero's neck and drag them away from the other heroes. If not released, the hero will be hanged-hanged.
Ratling Gunner-Carries a Skaven Gatling Gun and in true Skaven-fashion; they don't care who they hit when they start firing in their picked position. Can allow you to use Skaven Slaves and Clan Rats as mobile meatshields.
It is believed that there is more enemies as Fatshark Blondie (one of the developer) has said "My favourite one is one that hasn't shown up in the dev blogs yet ;) Not sure that it will either, so you'll just have to wait and see!". This could be a Grey Seer or even a Stormfiend. Or a DOOMWHEEL?