Julio Neves
When Dauntless launched back in 2019, it quickly positioned itself as a free-to-play contender in the genre dominated by Capcom’s Monster Hunter. Developed by Phoenix Labs, the game offered a streamlined, online monster-hunting experience. While it boasted a solid gameplay loop, its performance—particularly on the Nintendo Switch—left much to be desired.
Fast forward to today, and Dauntless has faded into the background for many players. With so many new titles launching every year, it’s easy to forget a game that made waves five years ago. But now, Phoenix Labs is gearing up for what might be the game’s biggest transformation yet. On December 5th, Dauntless will undergo a major overhaul with the release of its Awakening update, introducing a seasonal structure, new gameplay elements, and significant quality-of-life improvements.
Here’s a deep dive into everything you can expect from this ambitious update.
A New Era: Seasonal Structure and Progression
The Awakening update marks the beginning of a new chapter for Dauntless, bringing a shift to a seasonal progression system. This isn’t just a minor tweak—it’s a full-on reimagining of how players interact with the game.
The first season, aptly titled Awakening, introduces weekly challenges that serve as the backbone of progression. Completing these challenges unlocks weapons, armor, and other in-game rewards. For those who want even more goodies, the new Hunt Pass offers additional premium rewards. While seasonal systems have become a staple in live-service games, Phoenix Labs promises a unique take that keeps players engaged without overwhelming them.
New Monsters, Maps, and Weapons
At the heart of Dauntless has always been its Behemoths—the colossal creatures players hunt to gather materials for crafting gear. The Awakening update introduces a brand-new Behemoth: Karkonos. Described as a fearsome addition to the game’s roster, Karkonos makes its home in Twilight’s Domain, an all-new map created specifically for this update.
The addition of Twilight’s Domain isn’t just about a fresh backdrop for battles; it’s designed to challenge players with new environmental hazards and dynamic combat scenarios. Exploring this map and taking down Karkonos will feel like a significant milestone for both new and veteran Slayers.
On the gear front, the update brings 18 new weapons that can be unlocked through standard quests, plus an additional 11 weapons obtainable via Weapon Tokens earned from completing seasonal challenges. This ensures that no matter your playstyle, there’s something new to experiment with.
Improving the New Player Experience
One of the criticisms Dauntless faced over the years was its steep learning curve for newcomers. Recognizing this, Phoenix Labs has revamped the First-Time User Experience (FTUE). The overhaul is designed to make the game more approachable for beginners, ensuring they’re well-equipped and confident before diving into their first hunt.
The update includes a completely redesigned tutorial system that walks players through the basics of combat, crafting, and the new progression structure. This change isn’t just about accessibility—it’s about setting players up for success so they can fully enjoy what Dauntless has to offer.
Cross-Progression and Steam Launch
Another significant change arriving with the Awakening update is the introduction of full cross-progression. If you’re logged into your Epic Games account, you’ll be able to seamlessly continue your hunt across any platform. Whether you’re switching between PC, console, or the Nintendo Switch, your progress will carry over effortlessly.
Additionally, Dauntless is making its long-awaited debut on Steam. This move is likely to bring in a fresh wave of players, especially those who prefer Valve’s platform over Epic Games. The Steam launch, combined with cross-progression, ensures that Dauntless remains accessible to as many gamers as possible.
Challenges and Concerns
While the Awakening update is packed with exciting features, not everyone is thrilled about the shift to a seasonal structure. It’s a formula that’s been adopted by countless live-service games in recent years, and some players worry it might feel repetitive or grind-heavy over time.
Phoenix Labs is aware of these concerns and has hinted at plans to keep the seasonal content fresh and engaging. The inclusion of meaningful rewards, alongside creative challenges, will be key to winning over skeptics.
Looking Ahead
For long-time fans of Dauntless, the Awakening update represents a bold new direction. It’s rare for a game to undergo such a dramatic transformation so many years after launch, but Phoenix Labs is clearly committed to keeping Dauntless relevant in a crowded gaming landscape.
Whether you’re a veteran Slayer or someone who hasn’t touched the game since 2019, December 5th will be the perfect time to jump back in. With new monsters to hunt, maps to explore, and weapons to master, Dauntless is ready to reclaim its place as a standout title in the monster-hunting genre.
And hey, if nothing else, this update might just help tide you over while we wait for Monster Hunter Wilds.
