Warhammer 40,000: Darktide rises on PC as a cooperative shooter from Fatshark
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, a new co-op shooter from Fatshark, launched on PC and is now available through Steam and the Microsoft Store. Players using PC Game Pass can download and try the game at no additional cost, expanding access to fans who want to dive into this grimier corner of the Warhammer universe without a separate purchase. The game invites a crew of four players to team up and tackle a nightmarish hive city, where every corner may hide danger and every skirmish could turn the tide of a mission.
Darktide places a strong emphasis on teamwork and role variety. In this setting, members of the Inquisition are dispatched to the hive city of Tertium, a place overrun by corruption and monstrous threats. The primary objective is to root out the seed of rot that’s spreading through the city, push back the grotesque hordes, and push toward a hard-won victory. The combat is designed to reward coordinated tactics, with players coordinating roles, abilities, and special equipment to survive the relentless onslaught of enemies that inhabit the industrial sprawl of the hive.
Character creation offers a handful of distinct paths. Players choose from four classes—Veteran, Zealot, Ogryn, or Psyker—each bringing its own flavor to the team’s composition. As teams progress, heroes grow stronger through meaningful upgrades, and gear becomes more potent, letting players tailor their build to their preferred playstyle. The perpetual loop of earning better gear and unlocking abilities keeps the pace brisk and the risk high, pushing groups to adapt their strategy as enemies evolve and pose new challenges.
On PC, initial reception highlighted both the strengths and the rough edges of the title. The game has drawn praise for its dark atmosphere, the weight of its weapons, and the visceral feel of close-quarters combat. Yet players have also pointed to optimization challenges and network-related hiccups that occasionally disrupt runs, especially during the most crowded moments. These issues have sparked discussion about system requirements, connectivity, and how well the game scales across different PC configurations. Ongoing patches and updates are expected to address performance and stability concerns, helping servers and players better synchronize during hectic survival moments.
Looking ahead, Fatshark has confirmed plans to bring Darktide to Xbox Series X and Series S, extending the game’s reach beyond PC. The exact release window for the next generation console version remains unannounced, but the developer has signaled continued support and expansion as the player base grows across platforms. The evolving roadmap for Darktide suggests more missions, new equipment, and potentially additional classes or customization options to keep veteran players engaged while inviting newcomers to join the war against the encroaching corruption.
In the broader context of co-op shooters, Darktide sits at the intersection of cooperative strategy and high-octane action. It challenges teams to balance power, cover, and timing, turning hive-city sieges into a dynamic test of communication and reflexes. For players who enjoy the adrenaline of coordinated firefights and the satisfaction of unlocking stronger gear through persistent progression, Darktide offers a compelling, if imperfect, entry into a beloved science fiction universe. The blend of grim atmosphere, tactical teamwork, and continuous upgrades helps sustain long sessions as players push toward a common victory against the relentless horrors that dwell in Tertium.