Hunt: Showdown

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 83,985 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • optimization
Hunt: Showdown Game Cover
Hunt: Showdown is an incredibly intense and sometimes nerve-racking game that will require a lot from you. In return, it delivers an experience and a world you will have a hard time finding anywhere else.
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"Hunt: Showdown" is a multiplayer bounty hunting game set in a dark, Victorian-era world. Players must track and kill monstrous targets, while also avoiding other teams of hunters with the same goal. Successfully banishing a target earns a bounty, but escape with it is a challenge as other players will be trying to kill you and take it for themselves. Each match is a tense, strategic experience with permadeath and a focus on teamwork.

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Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 83,985 reviews
gameplay3,614 positive mentions
optimization1,168 negative mentions
  • gameplay9,894 mentions

    The gameplay of "Hunt: Showdown" is widely praised for its unique blend of PvPvE mechanics, offering a tense and immersive experience that combines strategic planning with high-stakes combat. Players appreciate the depth of the gunplay, the importance of sound as a gameplay mechanic, and the rewarding nature of its permadeath system, which adds tension to each match. However, many reviews also highlight significant issues with the user interface, matchmaking, and persistent bugs that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration among both new and veteran players.

    • “The gameplay loop is incredible, the gunplay satisfying, and the audio is so good that every other game feels pathetic afterwards.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and exciting.”
    • “The gameplay is unique and interesting, the devs listen to the playerbase, and the soundtrack is nonstop bops.”
    • “They nerf or buff things with a sledgehammer and make drastic changes to the gameplay, but then don't adjust them if they are broken, useless, overpowered or ruin the fun.”
    • “The quality of Hunt's central mechanics and gameplay have never been meaningfully refined or iterated upon, making the game feel unpolished and unfinished, as though it was still in early access.”
    • “The gameplay loop consists of tracking down the boss monster, clearing out compounds from the evil lurking within, and clashing with other hunters tracking the same prey as you.”
  • graphics6,017 mentions

    The graphics of *Hunt: Showdown* have received mixed reviews following the recent updates. While many players praise the game's stunning visuals, atmospheric design, and unique aesthetic, others express frustration over performance issues, graphical glitches, and a perceived downgrade in quality, particularly for those using AMD graphics cards. Overall, the game's art style and sound design are frequently highlighted as standout features, contributing to an immersive experience despite the technical challenges some players face.

    • “The graphics are stunning, showcasing the grim and gritty world in remarkable detail.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely fantastic, not just on a technical level, but aesthetically as well.”
    • “The graphics, sound, and overall feel are great.”
    • “Not to mention the horrendous menu, far worse hit registration, melee has somehow also gotten worse, and at maximum settings the game's graphics look like complete shit compared to what they were before the update.”
    • “What a shame, I really used to love this game but after the 1896 update it looks shit even with a new graphic card and doesn't run smooth at all, the UI is shit the hacker problem doesn't seem to be fixed and overall the game just became shit.”
    • “The graphics have become better but now there is no fps, before I could play at 120 fps and now even with dlss I don’t have 80 fps.”
  • optimization4,451 mentions

    The optimization of "Hunt: Showdown" has been a significant point of contention among players, particularly following the recent engine update. Many users report a marked decline in performance, with frequent frame drops, stuttering, and connectivity issues, even on high-end systems. While some players have experienced improvements in performance after patches, the overall sentiment is that the game remains poorly optimized, with a user interface that complicates navigation and adds to the frustration. Overall, players are calling for urgent optimization efforts to restore the game's previously smoother performance.

    • “The engine update was also supposed to fix performance issues for many players, but has instead split the community on whether it was a good or even terrible change.”
    • “Performance issues galore: the game now suffers from severe performance issues.”
    • “The performance has also tanked dramatically compared to before and a lot of my friends can't even get the game to run anymore.”
    • “But what finally broke me after all these years was the performance after the engine update.”
    • “The game itself is literally unplayable how bad the servers and game performance is.”
    • “The performance has tanked majorly since this update, the stuttering makes gunfights practically unplayable.”
  • atmosphere3,613 mentions

    The atmosphere in *Hunt: Showdown* is widely praised for its immersive and haunting quality, effectively capturing the eerie essence of the late 19th-century Louisiana bayou. Players commend the game's exceptional sound design, which enhances the tension and suspense, making every encounter feel intense and meaningful. However, some reviews express concern that recent updates have diluted the game's original atmosphere, introducing elements that detract from its unique, gritty aesthetic. Overall, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, drawing players into a richly detailed and atmospheric world filled with danger and intrigue.

    • “The atmosphere, the maps, the art style, the sound design... it is all great.”
    • “The brilliance of this game was how atmospheric it was.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible and sounds bounce between walls and throughout the map.”
    • “Instead of focusing on core gameplay and community feedback, the developers are pushing overpriced cosmetics that detract from the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The whole game takes itself seriously, the atmosphere is dense enough to cut with a knife and every single element of the game is there to provide you with an immersive and satisfying experience.”
    • “The atmosphere has changed, maps are no longer a place to explore but became just a pvp battleground.”
  • stability1,497 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and server issues that significantly hinder gameplay. Common problems include frequent crashes, freezing during matches, and persistent graphical glitches, particularly when opening the map or during combat. Despite some players acknowledging the game's potential and the developers' efforts to address these issues, many feel that the current state is unplayable and recommend waiting for further updates before investing in the game.

    • “Game runs great, looks great, runs stable, and the new engine has been performing flawlessly.”
    • “No latency, no frame drops, no kicks, no freezes.”
    • “Crytek worked on this update for a long time and consider how much they changed in the game I am surprised it runs as smoothly and major bug free as it does.”
    • “It's so buggy and broken I am left speechless. Broken menus, the settings not saving, glitching/flickering 3D models in-game. Guess it's time to move on to upcoming extraction shooters from devs who aren't resting on their laurels.”
    • “The recent engine update, advertised as a 'Hunt 2.0', was supposed to make things better; however, it has only made performance more lackluster and buggy.”
    • “The game freezes and forces you to restart mid-match while risking your hunter. Guns sometimes become fully invisible when you hold them, so no iron sights. Sometimes the match starts with the cursor showing over the screen, and sometimes you won't even load into the match and have to reconnect.”
  • story1,297 mentions

    The story aspect of "Hunt: Showdown" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the atmospheric setting and the potential for rich lore, but expressing disappointment over the lack of a cohesive narrative or single-player campaign. While some players enjoy the emergent storytelling that arises from each match's unique circumstances, others criticize the game for relying heavily on battle pass missions that often feel disconnected from a larger story. Overall, the game offers intriguing lore elements and character backstories, but many players feel that a more structured narrative experience is needed to fully realize its potential.

    • “The game is an absolute blast and doesn't completely punish you if you die or fail in your mission like other hardcore shooters in the market.”
    • “Every match is a new different story to be told, you choose your strategy, alone or with your friends or with random companions and fight against a dozen other people to take home the scary monsters' precious bounties.”
    • “The story and setting of 'Hunt' are being erased.”
    • “Lore and story: there weren't much to begin with, but almost all of the lore bits that existed within the game have been removed with the new update (book of monsters, book of weapons, trials, hunters bio).”
    • “The story feels more like a random assortment of ideas thrown together than a serious attempt at a compelling narrative.”
  • music1,127 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its haunting and atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack, primarily composed by the in-house Port Sulfur band, is noted for its ability to immerse players in the game's dark, gothic setting, often leaving them humming the main theme long after playing. While some users express dissatisfaction with recent changes to the music, the majority agree that the audio design, including sound effects and ambient music, is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's unique atmosphere.

    • “It's a great game, a great experience, and the soundtrack is superb.”
    • “The music is so good it will make you forget where you are.”
    • “The haunting soundtrack complements the grim atmosphere, immersing players in the eerie world of bounty hunting.”
    • “It's an endless parade of events, busywork challenges, DLC, heaps of weapons with meaningless distinctions, layers upon layers of menus, cringe menu music complete with crooning lyrics, lag, and rendering issues.”
    • “The new music seems very edgy and just annoying.”
    • “Game is one of the best of all time but every time I update they add a new song to the menu and each manages to be worse than the next.”
  • monetization1,028 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism from players, who feel that it has become overly aggressive and predatory, resembling a free-to-play model despite being a paid title. Many reviews highlight the intrusive nature of in-game advertisements for microtransactions, particularly for cosmetic items, which detracts from the overall experience and immersion. While some players acknowledge that the microtransactions are primarily cosmetic and do not impact gameplay, the overwhelming focus on monetization has led to concerns about the game's direction and the developers' commitment to addressing existing gameplay issues.

    • “The monetization in this game is excellent as well.”
    • “The monetization method is not pay to win, and a lot of the premium currency skins you can buy them by just playing the game.”
    • “The monetization is fair.”
    • “I really am tired of the microtransactions and the fact that casual video game players that just want to sit down and play a game every once in a while do not have a space to do that.”
    • “It has become clear to me that whoever is in charge clearly cares more about monetization via the game's battle pass and everlong DLC than fixing recurring and new problems that the community, in some cases, have been begging to have fixed for years.”
    • “The game now opens with a storefront and ads for bundles, making it clear that Crytek is more interested in squeezing money out of players than providing a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
  • grinding527 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players describing it as tedious, frustrating, and overly time-consuming. Many reviews highlight the clunky user interface and convoluted progression systems that exacerbate the grind, making essential tasks feel like a chore rather than an engaging part of gameplay. While some players appreciate the challenge and depth of the game, the consensus is that the current grindy mechanics detract significantly from the overall experience, leading to a sense of burnout and dissatisfaction.

    • “When they do, their battle pass is not grindy and does not rely on FOMO tactics.”
    • “You only need the base game to use every weapon; weapons unlock very quickly, and there is no grinding in this game unless you want more cosmetics.”
    • “Risk is higher than battle royale type games since you can lose your hunter/equipment, but not as high as Tarkov since Hunt is not grindy and does not gate items/weapons/skills behind arbitrary tasks.”
    • “The tedious and depressing nature of playing in this optimized way has seeped into the player base itself, leading to a community that, while significantly smaller than other live service products, is every bit as rancid and uninviting as the most notorious of them.”
    • “The menu is so tedious, annoying, and generic that I dread playing the game, or loading into the lobby, just because I know when I die, I need to repeat this annoying process over and over again.”
    • “The new UI is absolutely horrible and unusable; it takes so long to set up gear for a new character, and cycling through them feels tedious.”
  • humor484 mentions

    The humor in "Hunt: Showdown" is a mixed bag, often stemming from the game's chaotic mechanics and the unpredictable interactions between players. Many reviewers find the proximity voice chat and the absurdity of certain bugs and glitches to be sources of laughter, creating memorable moments during gameplay. However, the game's frequent technical issues and frustrating UI changes also lead to a darkly comedic atmosphere, where players can find humor in their misfortunes and the game's overall chaotic nature.

    • “If you're into chaotic, heart-pounding action with a side of dark humor, this game is your new best friend!”
    • “The proximity chat in the game makes some encounters quite hilarious, sometimes it's toxic but hey it's the internet.”
    • “It's a game that embraces the unpredictable nature of its world, inviting you to find humor in the most dangerous and unexpected situations.”
    • “Not funny for casuals only”
    • “I'm pretty sure they have forgotten about the Oceania server because the server is so glitchy it's not funny.”
    • “This breaks the game, and makes it not funny to play.”
  • replayability288 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players highlighting its dynamic gameplay, diverse weaponry, and procedural generation that ensures no two matches are alike. Many reviewers emphasize the thrill of its risk-reward mechanics and the depth of its systems, making it a highly engaging experience that encourages repeated play. However, some concerns about content variety and potential repetitiveness over time were noted, suggesting that while the game is currently very replayable, future updates could enhance its longevity.

    • “The incredible replay value comes from the fact that no two matches are alike.”
    • “Endless replayability: with its procedurally generated maps, diverse enemy types, and multiple objectives, no two matches in Hunt: Showdown are ever the same.”
    • “The replayability factor is off the charts, ensuring that you'll never run out of challenges to overcome.”
    • “Fun at first; but the game gets stale extremely quickly and repetitive. It's fun at first to kill a few hours, but I highly do not recommend it if you're looking for replayability.”
    • “The biggest issue I have with this game is that the quantity of replayability is quite minimal.”
    • “In the end, my issue with this game is that it was released in a state where it should be more playable than it is now since it was advertised as a semi-smooth running build that we could test before release.”
  • emotional149 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a significant draw for players, eliciting a wide range of feelings from heartbreak over losing invested hunters to the adrenaline rush of intense gameplay. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create an emotional rollercoaster, with moments of joy and despair intertwined, making it both thrilling and exhausting. However, frustrations with technical issues and recent updates have led some players to feel disillusioned, adding to the emotional complexity of their gaming experience.

    • “Losing a hunter you’ve invested time in is heartbreaking but also adds to the adrenaline rush of each hunt.”
    • “The story of Lulu and Monroe serves as a poignant backdrop to the intense gameplay of 'Hunt: Showdown,' adding a layer of emotional depth to the overall experience.”
    • “This game is so emotionally exhausting, yet I can’t get enough of it.”
  • character development50 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its impressive character designs and atmospheric aesthetics, which enhance the overall experience. While many players appreciate the unique and detailed character designs, some express disappointment in the lack of substantial character progression and depth, feeling that the focus on visual appeal overshadows meaningful development. Overall, the game excels in creating a visually stunning world with diverse characters, but the character development mechanics could benefit from more depth and engagement.

    • “The character design and overall aesthetic is superb and helps the game carve out a sense of uniqueness among other FPS games out at the moment.”
    • “Amazing character design, the look and feel of the hunters and their tools/weapons is really amazing.”
    • “The developers put a lot of love into the details of the environment and the character design; the light details will make you feel like you have RTX on.”
    • “The only things keeping me from recommending it is the absolute terrible character design.”
    • “The learning / character development curve is too flat.”
    • “The addition of Ghostface, rather than an original character design that could add depth to the game’s lore, reflects a trend toward quick profits rather than fostering the game’s loyal fanbase.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy Hunt: Showdown

Play time

150hMedian play time
508hAverage play time
17-750hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 572 analyzed playthroughs

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