Best if you want accessible Monster Hunter-style boss fights with friends across any platform—short, focused hunts that respect your time without sacrificing the thrill of learning monster patterns and upgrading gear.
Dauntless distills the monster-hunting formula into quick, digestible sessions perfect for casual co-op. Each hunt drops you and up to three teammates into an arena with a single massive Behemoth, and your goal is simple: learn its attack patterns, break its parts, and craft better gear from the spoils. Hunts typically last 10-15 minutes, making this ideal for squeezing in a session between other commitments or chaining several runs in an evening. The learning curve is deliberately gentle. Weapon types have clear identities—hammer for staggering, axe for charged damage, sword for mobility—and the onboarding explains combos and mechanics without overwhelming new players. Behemoths telegraph their attacks more clearly than Monster Hunter's elder dragons, giving you time to learn dodge windows and positioning. You'll still cart occasionally, but deaths feel like teaching moments rather than punishments. Progression follows a satisfying loop: hunt Behemoths, harvest materials, craft weapons and armor with specific perks, then tackle tougher variants. The game respects free players; all hunts and weapons are accessible without paying, with monetization limited to cosmetics and battle pass progression boosts. The battle pass does accelerate your reward track, but patient players can unlock everything through regular play. Crossplay is Dauntless's secret weapon. Whether your friends are on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, or Switch, everyone hunts together seamlessly. Matchmaking fills squads quickly, and the game handles cross-platform parties without friction. This convenience makes organizing sessions effortless compared to platform-locked alternatives. The main limitation is depth. Veterans of Monster Hunter's intricate systems might find Dauntless's streamlined mechanics shallow after 40-50 hours. Update cadence has slowed since launch, and the playerbase has stabilized at a smaller but dedicated core. Seasonal content keeps things fresh, but don't expect the endless endgame of live-service giants. Still, for the price of free and the convenience of drop-in co-op, Dauntless delivers exactly what it promises: approachable boss fights with friends, no strings attached.
4 online • Full Crossplay
Dauntless supports full crossplay across all platforms, supports up to 4 players online, features co-op campaign mode.
Single Player • Multiplayer • Co-op • Online Multiplayer • MMO
Online-only co-op action RPG with hunts for up to 4 players in a shared online world. No local, LAN, split-screen, or PvP. Full cross-play and cross-progression across PC (Epic Games), PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch via Dauntless/Epic account. Typical hunts are 1–4 players in a party; public city hubs host many more players. Requires internet connection; console online subscriptions (PS Plus, Xbox online) may be needed for multiplayer.
Important details about which version to buy and where to play.
Full crossplay across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch means you can play with anyone regardless of platform. Progression syncs across devices, so you can hunt on PC at home and continue on Switch during travel.
Click any screenshot to view in full size
If you enjoyed Dauntless, you'll love these similar games. We've handpicked titles based on gameplay style, difficulty, atmosphere, and what players like you are enjoying. Whether you're looking for something with a similar vibe, more challenge, or the same multiplayer features, these recommendations have you covered.
Games with deeper mechanical complexity than Dauntless, rewarding players who enjoy mastering intricate systems and advanced strategies.
If you like hunting big beasts, this ups the depth with layered gear, detailed hitzones, and nuanced weapon styles that reward long-term mastery over time.
Shares the F2P co-op grind but adds a web of modding, builds, and progression layers where deep system knowledge and experimentation really pay off.
Another monster-hunting RPG where mastering Mitama setups, weapon styles, and Oni-part targeting rewards players who enjoy tinkering with layered systems.
Three-player co-op shooter with Souls-lite combat; mastering traits, mods, and boss patterns scratches the same build and fight-optimization itch.
Cooperative multiplayer games that emphasize teamwork and shared objectives, building on the social aspects of Dauntless.
Four-player hunts, clear team roles, and fast matchmaking make this a highly co-op-friendly way to chase huge monsters with friends session after session.
Open shared fields, quick group events, and flexible party play make this MMO-style action RPG a natural co-op-friendly choice for casual hunt nights.
Top-down action combat, raids, and dungeons thrive in co-op, giving MMO-style progression with plenty of group content tailored to party coordination.
Designed around three-player squads with synergistic powers and clear roles, making co-op firefights and boss encounters the core of the experience.
High-octane, fast-paced games that amplify the excitement and intensity found in Dauntless.
Master Rank hunts hit harder and demand sharper reactions, giving veteran hunters tense, high-adrenaline fights where a single mistake can cart the party.
Procedural caves, swarming bugs, and objective pressure create constant high-adrenaline co-op runs where teamwork and quick reactions keep squads alive.
Games that capture the essence of Dauntless with a gentler learning curve and more forgiving difficulty, perfect for newcomers to the genre.
Shares the loop of slaying huge creatures for parts, but with snappier missions, flashier moves, and a more forgiving learning curve than many hunt games.
Focuses on the fantasy of tracking and hunting, but at a calmer pace and more grounded style, offering a gentler on-ramp to reading tracks and planning shots.
We've included this game in 1 article.
Dauntless earns its spot as an accessible Monster Hunter alternative that prioritizes quick 10-15 minute hunts over grind. Crossplay support means Steam players can squad up with friends on any platform, while readable monster telegraphs and clear weapon roles make co-op coordination instant. Fair cosmetic-only monetization keeps hunts balanced, though the battle pass accelerates progression for impatient players.
Common questions about this game answered by our team.
Very approachable. Clear tutorials, telegraphed attacks, and forgiving early hunts let you learn at your own pace. Weapon combos are simpler than Monster Hunter, and you can practice against easier Behemoths before tackling endgame challenges.
Most hunts last 10-15 minutes with a competent group. Early Behemoths fall faster (5-8 minutes), while endgame variants might push 20 minutes. Perfect for quick sessions without long-term commitment per run.
Technically soloable, but hunts are balanced for 2-4 players and feel sluggish alone. Matchmaking fills groups quickly, and crossplay means finding teammates is rarely an issue, even on smaller platforms.
Yes. All hunts, weapons, and progression are free. Monetization is cosmetics and battle pass XP boosts—nothing affects hunt difficulty. Patient players unlock everything; impatient ones can pay to speed cosmetic unlocks.
Expect 30-50 hours to see most Behemoths and weapon types. Endgame variants and seasonal content add replay value, but updates are less frequent than at launch. Best enjoyed in focused bursts rather than as your only game.
