Dauntless is no longer available to download or play. The free-to-play co-op monster-hunting game from Phoenix Labs officially shut down on May 29, 2025, with its servers taken offline and the game removed from all storefronts. This guide explains what happened, why the game closed, and what you can play instead if you’re looking for a similar experience.
What Was Dauntless?
Dauntless was a free-to-play, cooperative action RPG that launched in 2019, offering an approachable alternative to Monster Hunter-style gameplay. Players took on the role of Slayers protecting the Shattered Isles from massive, dangerous creatures called Behemoths, teaming up with other players to hunt them down, craft powerful weapons and armor from the spoils, and take on progressively tougher monsters. It launched across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and later Nintendo Switch, building a loyal community over its six-year run.
The game was praised for lowering the barrier to entry compared to other monster-hunting titles, offering faster-paced hunts and simpler crafting systems that made it easier for newcomers to jump in without a steep learning curve. For years it maintained a solid, if not massive, player base as a free alternative to pricier monster-hunting franchises.
Why Dauntless Shut Down
- In 2023, developer Phoenix Labs was acquired by Forte, a blockchain-focused gaming company, a change the studio reportedly asked staff to keep quiet at the time.
- Throughout 2024 and early 2025, Phoenix Labs conducted several rounds of layoffs, including cutting more than 100 employees in May 2024.
- Late 2024’s “Dauntless: Awakening” content update was poorly received by the community, triggering a wave of negative Steam reviews after it reset player progress and altered how weapons could be obtained.
- In early 2025, Phoenix Labs laid off the “majority” of its remaining development staff.
- On February 24, 2025, Phoenix Labs announced Dauntless would permanently shut down on May 29, 2025, with no further content, updates, or ability to play after that date.
What Happens to the Game Now
Since the May 2025 shutdown, Dauntless has been removed from Steam, the Epic Games Store, and all console storefronts, and its servers are permanently offline. Because Dauntless was an always-online, server-dependent game, there is no offline mode or way to play it privately after the shutdown — unlike some single-player games that remain playable after delisting, Dauntless simply cannot be accessed anymore through any legitimate means.
Any website currently advertising a “Dauntless free download” is, by definition, not offering a real, working copy of the game, since the servers required to play it no longer exist. Treat such offers as unsafe, and be especially cautious of any installer files claiming to restore access to a shut-down online game.
What You Can Play Instead
- Monster Hunter series: The genre’s flagship franchise, offering deep, actively supported monster-hunting gameplay.
- Wild Hearts: A newer entry in the co-op monster-hunting space with its own unique mechanical twists.
- Fae Farm: Also from Phoenix Labs’ catalog, this farm-life sim remains active under new ownership (Gambit Digital) as of this writing.
Key Facts About Dauntless’s Closure
- Officially launched in 2019 and shut down permanently on May 29, 2025.
- Developer Phoenix Labs was acquired by blockchain company Forte in 2023.
- Multiple rounds of layoffs preceded the shutdown, including cutting the majority of remaining staff.
- The poorly received “Awakening” update in late 2024 significantly damaged community trust before the closure.
- No offline mode exists, so the game cannot be played through any legitimate means today.
Was Dauntless Worth Playing While It Lasted?
✅ What it did well
- Offered an approachable, free alternative to pricier monster-hunting franchises
- Cross-platform play made it easy to team up with friends on different systems
- Built a loyal community over its six-year run before the shutdown
❌ What led to its downfall
- Ownership change to a blockchain-focused company shifted priorities away from the game
- Repeated layoffs left the studio unable to sustain meaningful updates
- A poorly received final content update further eroded the remaining player base
Availability by Platform
🖥️ PC / 🎮 Consoles
Dauntless is no longer available on any platform, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.
🕹️ Current Status
Permanently shut down as of May 29, 2025, with no plans announced for a revival.
Tips If You’re Looking for a Similar Experience
- Look into actively supported co-op monster-hunting games with a strong current player base.
- Check a game’s ownership and update history before investing heavily in a free-to-play title’s progression.
- Keep an eye on official announcements rather than fan speculation for any future related projects.
- Consider whether a game has an offline mode if server shutdown risk is a concern for you.
Who Should — and Shouldn’t — Look Into Dauntless
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still download and play Dauntless?
No, the game’s servers were permanently shut down on May 29, 2025, and it can no longer be played.
Is it safe to download from third-party “free download” sites claiming to offer Dauntless?
No, since the game’s servers no longer exist, any such offer is not a real, working copy and should be avoided.
Why did Dauntless shut down?
A combination of ownership changes, repeated layoffs, and a poorly received final content update led to the closure.
Is there an offline mode for Dauntless?
No, Dauntless was always-online, so there’s no way to play it privately after the shutdown.
Could Dauntless come back someday?
No revival has been announced as of this writing, though the situation could change in the future.
What can I play instead of Dauntless?
Actively supported monster-hunting games like the Monster Hunter series or Wild Hearts offer a similar genre experience today.
This page is written for informational purposes to accurately explain the current status of Dauntless. It does not link to or endorse any unofficial “free download” sources.
