Hunt: Showdown is a competitive first-person bounty hunting game that packs the thrill of survival games into a match-based format. Set in Louisiana in 1895, the game boasts a mixture of PvP and PvE elements that creates a uniquely tense experience. It’s not just the creatures who are a threat—it’s every Hunter on the map.
In the classic game mode, a match of Hunt pits ten players—playing solo or in teams of two—against each other as they race to take out gruesome beasts for a bounty they must collect and get off of the map, while Hunt’s quickplay mode offers a shorter match for solo players to scavenge for weapons as they compete for a diminishing pool of bounty. The higher the risk, the higher the reward–but a single mistake could cost everything.
The learning curve is a bastard and, while the matchmaking is generally pretty good in terms of finding you opponents, you’re going to die again and again, in awful and hideous ways. It’s grim and beautiful, with no single-player mode outside of the tutorial. And if that sounds awesome – and honestly it is – then you know what to do.
Despite the courageous setting choices and high standards, Hunt: Showdown is an exceptional shooter that occupies its own small niche in times of dwindling Battle Royale hype with innovative ideas and perfection of balanced gameplay.
A great competitive shooter if you are willing to invest time and can accept the slow character progress.
Hunt: Showdown is an atypical competitive shooter. A different way to see the online FPS videogames, with great settings and PvP-PvE features.
Hunt: Showdown doesn’t try to do a lot of things beyond its core mission, and the challenging gameplay and limited selection of maps — though they are expansive and interesting — might be a barrier to long-term enjoyment. Assuming the developers keep infusing the game with content, Hunt: Showdown is a fresh take on the genre that has already become a bit stale.
Hunt: Showdown is a little bit DayZ, a little bit PUBG and a little bit Resident Evil. This initial release is strong, with plenty of room to expand. Eventually, new maps, weapons and enemy types will be needed to maintain interest. Hunt: Showdown may not technically be a battle royale game, but it shares enough of the genre’s DNA that I wouldn’t be surprised to see a battle pass in the near future.
There's a lot that works in Hunt: Showdown, from its setting and creatures design to its strong blend of PvE and PvP action. Like the bayou, the game first appears sort of quaint, unique, and interesting to explore. But below the surface, once you get into the thick weeds of it, you end up feeling like there's plenty of places you'd wish to have traveled.
October 24, 2018
Hunt Showdown: Lawson Delta map teased by IGN. Read more
February 7, 2018
Crytek gives a little hint of the recommended PC specs for Hunt: Showdown. Read more
October 16, 2017
Crytek publishes a new trailer for Hunt: Showdown with the game mechanics. Watch video
