People seem to think that Darktide is an FPS, and it isn't. It isn't held to the same standards as an FPS. L4D is an FPS, Darktide has a lot in common with L4D, but it isn't the same thing, not even close. If I just wanted another L4D clone, I would be happy with Darktide, but that isn't what Darktide is supposed to be, that isn't what Vermintide is, and that isn't what was advertised.

We were promised an RPG, and all the things the come with an RPG. The reason that Vermintide was so successful was NOT because of the combat (which was compelling), it was because it was a very deep and very nuanced RPG that required you to work as a party to complete the mission, and on the highest difficulties, except for a few people who are ridiculously good, you just won't complete the mission without a well balanced team that can trust each other and work together.

Not only do you have to pick the right feats for your build, but also the right items, perks, blessings, traits, and have the correct synergy with your team. All of these things make a great game to be played with others. Vermintide 2 is the closest thing I have ever experienced to a tabletop game played over the internet. If I spend an evening playing with people, we get people as we get to know each other, as we talk about life, girls (or boys), what we like to drink, how work is going, or marriage, or school. After being disappointed with darktide I reinstalled vermintide and immediately had a great game on cataclysm. When I was downed I felt like I let my team down, and as the other members of the party got downed I was sad, and felt like I failed them as the weakest link. When the zealot came through in the clutch and revived all of us while dealing with two boss monsters, I cheered, and so did everyone else, and when we beat the chaos waste expedition, we all took a shot.

Because that is what role playing games are about. It is a game that you play together, and it's an excuse to build camaraderie.

Darktide just doesn't do that. You're not with the same people for an evening or a long campaign, you pick traits for survivability for yourself, not for synergy with your team, and once the mission is over, you never see them again.

Darktide has great combat, but the combat isn't the point. The RPG elements are lacking, and the team spirit doesn't even exist, partly due to a lack of ability to farm the items you need, and also partly due to a lack of ability to have extended campaigns with the same people.