HUNTDOWN

Innovative gameplay and incredible aesthetics make Huntdown a must play run and gun shooter. With an array of difficulty options, side objectives and even co-op, it's a perfect starting point in the genre for all gaming backgrounds

94%Game Brain Score

gameplay, music

optimization, grinding

94% User Score Based on 1,750 reviews

Critic Score 84%Based on 5 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $10.97

Buy NowGet on Steam$19.99

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About

"Huntdown" is a Science Fiction Shooter game with single-player and local multi-player modes for up to 2 players in co-op. The game features hard-boiled action, set in a neon-soaked, graffiti-filled city of the future, with hand-painted 16-bit pixel art graphics. You play as bounty hunters, tasked with ridding the city of corrupt criminal gangs.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,750 reviews

gameplay155 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Huntdown is a beautifully crafted homage to 80s action movies and retro arcade games, featuring stunning pixel art and a fantastic synthwave soundtrack.
The gameplay is engaging and challenging, with a variety of weapons and unique boss fights that require players to learn patterns and strategies.
The game successfully combines humor and nostalgia, with witty one-liners and numerous references to classic films, making it a fun experience for players.

Some players find the difficulty spikes, especially during boss fights, to be frustrating and feel that the game can become repetitive over time.
The cover mechanics can sometimes feel awkward and may slow down the pace of gameplay, leading to moments of frustration.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content or additional levels to explore.

gameplay
378 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
4%
The gameplay of "Huntdown" is characterized by its blend of retro-inspired mechanics and modern design elements, offering a challenging yet fair experience that emphasizes tactical movement and cover usage. Players appreciate the tight controls, diverse weaponry, and unique boss battles, although some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of classic side-scrolling shooters while infusing it with a fresh, engaging twist.
- “The pixel graphics are top-quality, with some impressive attention to detail, and although the shooting mechanics seem simple at a glance, there's enough wrinkles here to make for some surprising tactical depth which rewards good planning or quick-thinking.”
- “The gameplay is excellent, with boss mechanics that are both varied, fun, and at times challenging.”
- “Huntdown is an amazing retro shoot'em'up with some really cool mechanics and really interesting bosses; damn, this game is good.”
- “The problem is that the gameplay is irredeemably awful.”
- “Dunno, maybe it's better in co-op, but this game simply isn't fun. It's an arcade shoot 'em up side-scroller, but damn, I was expecting something more from this. The gameplay of shooting baddies, getting new weapons, and facing bosses just doesn't leave me wanting for more; the opposite, really—it feels like a chore.”
- “It's not the best game ever; the gameplay is still pretty dull compared to classics like Metal Slug and Contra, and the enemies are pretty spongy.”
music
347 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
39%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic synthwave soundtrack that perfectly complements the retro aesthetic and gameplay. The soundtrack is described as a nostalgic homage to 80s action films, featuring catchy tracks that enhance the overall experience and immerse players in the game's vibrant world. While most feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few users noted that the music could be hit or miss, but overall, it remains a standout feature that elevates the game's charm and excitement.
- “The music is very good; each track is a joy to listen to that fits with the game’s aesthetic very well.”
- “The soundtrack is incredible: dark synth undertones telling you that you're the prey or upbeat tracks infusing a sense of godlike invincibility.”
- “The music, the graphics, the setting—all work great together to create the vibe of a cheesy sci-fi movie from the 80s.”
- “I also don't really like the soundtrack, which is supposed to be a big draw.”
- “Uninteresting generic soundtrack that just repetitively drones the same 80's inspired guitar themes.”
- “My only complaint is passable music, but hey, turn the music off, pump up sound effects, turn on synthwave album like the Midnight and tell your inner child it's time to pull some happy trigger.”
graphics
283 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
37%
1%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their vibrant, polished pixel art that effectively captures the nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic, reminiscent of classic arcade titles from the 80s and 90s. Reviewers highlight the attention to detail in character and environment design, as well as the successful integration of a cyberpunk theme, which enhances the overall atmosphere. While some feel the retro aesthetic is overused, the high production values and engaging visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The pixel graphics are really good, very colorful with many great designs from characters, the city, the weapons, even to enemies and bosses. It’s a joy to behold with all the scenery and colors capturing the look of classic side scrollers, but with modern touches.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, some of the best pixel art I've seen in a while. The story is fairly interesting though not that amazing, but this is because it is supplementing the gameplay.”
- “Huntdown is a polished side-scrolling run and gun with great visuals and good game feel.”
- “It also doesn't make much sense to theme a game around the 1980s and fill it with 1990s graphics.”
- “The visuals are bad because they often make it nearly impossible to perceive incoming attacks due to over-cluttering and poor telegraphing.”
- “Graphics are as if they fell out right of the DOS era.”
story
131 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
66%
3%
The story in this game is generally regarded as simple and somewhat cliché, revolving around a bounty hunter tasked with taking down criminals in a vibrant, retro-inspired world. While it features enjoyable voice acting and a nostalgic 80s vibe, many players feel that the narrative serves primarily as a backdrop to the action rather than a focal point, with some expressing a desire for deeper character development and more substantial plot elements. Overall, the game's charm lies in its fun gameplay and aesthetic rather than a complex storyline.
- “The story is very good; it's simple, basically you're a bounty hunter and you have to kill the bad guys and collect their bounties, but it does a few things differently, especially at the ending where it has the perfect setup for a sequel. It's also absolutely chalked full of references to the '80s action and dystopian future cinemas from Blade Runner to Robocop and Running Man; it was quite a joy to see.”
- “The story, graphics, and soundtrack work together to create the vibe of a cheesy sci-fi movie from the '80s.”
- “Huntdown comes with perfectly charming pixel art, a fine story and atmosphere that quite some effort was put into (somewhere between Escape from New York and The Warriors), the corniest writing you could ask for brought to life by plenty of voice actors, and a really decent variety of levels/enemies/weapons.”
- “The story is just a bag of cliches, but they're enjoyable ones to be sure.”
- “Don't be fooled by the occasional short cutscenes with English voice-overs in between: the story clearly only plays a minor role.”
- “The story in this game is nonexistent with you being a bounty hunter tasked with mowing down loads of enemies and miscreants down the street.”
humor
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and originality, featuring a mix of witty one-liners, pop culture references, and absurdity that resonates with fans of 80s action movies. Players appreciate the balance of humor with engaging gameplay, noting that the voice acting and character interactions add to the overall comedic experience. While some find the humor occasionally grating, the majority agree that it enhances the game's retro charm and chaotic fun.
- “I appreciated the humor baked into the title.”
- “Huntdown is a hilarious, challenging, and enjoyable game.”
- “The dialogues (of course almost entirely made of cheesy 80s inspired one-liners) are really funny and entertaining, and from the nameless goons you mow down in hundreds to the unique bosses, everyone is memorable, and it's mainly because of the amazing voice acting.”
replayability
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
50%
6%
The game's replayability is generally regarded as strong, bolstered by multiple difficulty levels, arcade mode, and various character abilities that encourage players to revisit levels for completionist challenges and high scores. However, some players feel the game is relatively short, which may limit long-term engagement, and a few express a desire for more character diversity to enhance replay value. Overall, while it offers satisfying replay opportunities, opinions vary on its longevity and depth.
- “The sub-objectives are where the replay value lies together with increasing difficulty.”
- “Great replayability, which is needed because the game is short - you can finish it in maybe 3 hours?”
- “High replayability thanks to different bounty hunters, four difficulties, and arcade mode, where you have only 1 life to finish a whole stage.”
- “Of course, I would have liked more scope, bonus objectives, or replay value, and for 16.79 euros, some games have already delivered more.”
- “No replay value but a solid playthrough in about 3 hours.”
- “Zero replay value since all three characters are mostly the same.”
atmosphere
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
32%
6%
The atmosphere of Huntdown is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic representation of 1980s and 90s cyberpunk aesthetics, featuring vibrant pixel art, a captivating synthwave soundtrack, and clever dialogue. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke the gritty, neon-soaked vibe of classic action films, creating a rich and engaging environment that enhances the overall gameplay experience. The combination of detailed level design, atmospheric music, and memorable characters contributes to a compelling and enjoyable retro experience.
- “The game masterfully captures the gritty, neon-soaked atmosphere of the 1980s and early 90s cyberpunk and action movies.”
- “From its neon light Robocop/Total Recall atmosphere, the catchy 80s synth-wave soundtrack, the badass playable characters with memorable one-liners, and the Mad Max inspired villains, Huntdown oozes and drips 80s swagger.”
- “An impeccably well-made game with fantastic graphics, sound design, controls, and atmosphere - Huntdown is a terrific value and a must-play for anyone looking for action-packed side-scrolling platform-shooting fun.”
- “The world of Huntdown is a dystopic one, where a cyberpunk reality has made for a depressing existence for the average citizen.”
- “Huntdown comes with perfectly charming pixel art, a fine story, and an atmosphere that quite some effort was put into, somewhere between Escape from New York and The Warriors.”
- “The art direction and music make for an extremely nostalgic atmosphere of pure 80's action schlock.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many users reporting excellent performance and smooth gameplay, achieving solid frame rates on various systems. However, some players have encountered specific issues on the Steam Deck, suggesting that while the game runs well on PC, it may not be fully optimized for all platforms. For those not seeking top-tier performance, waiting for a sale is recommended.
- “Great performance, great gameplay, awesome cyberpunk universe with lots of details, a must buy for 2D retro fans.”
- “Every performance is taken 100% seriously, even the goofy ones, and the voice actor absolutely nails the line delivery for what is otherwise kind of uninteresting text.”
- “Performance: no issues whatsoever, you can run this on anything.”
- “Unfortunately, the game has some weird performance issues on the Steam Deck, so I switched back to playing it on PC.”
- “Any other setting, including fast, which should sacrifice visual quality for performance, tanks player 2 to 1 FPS.”
- “So unless you are a hardcore gamer that likes to chase record-breaking performances, I would wait for a sale.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
11%
67%
Players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game, with many expressing frustration over tedious boss fights that require excessive grinding to overcome. While some appreciate the lack of predatory mechanics, others find the frequent boss encounters lead to a grindfest that disrupts the flow of gameplay. Overall, grinding is seen as a significant hurdle that detracts from the overall experience.
- “No grinding, no player retention mechanics, no loot drops or other predatory mechanics.”
- “Various and action-packed levels, short and not tedious.”
- “We ended up spending half of our playtime grinding to pass bosses; we finally gave up even before the midway.”
- “I got extremely frustrated with some of the late fights, which were impossibly tedious.”
- “Problem starts after a couple of boss fights; it's a real grindfest and gets a bit tedious after a while.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
Character development in the game is primarily conveyed through striking character and enemy designs, as well as engaging voice acting that enhances their personalities. While the narrative lacks depth regarding the backstories of the gangs, the vibrant 80s cyberpunk aesthetic and numerous references create a rich atmosphere that allows players to appreciate the unique traits of each character. Overall, the game's visual and auditory elements effectively compensate for the limited storytelling, making the characters memorable and enjoyable.
- “I love the 80s-ish cyberpunk style, unique boss/character design, combat feeling, and every other thing about it!”
- “The voice acting is phenomenal, like AAA-level quality. I absolutely love the character design and the fun one-liners and dialogue.”
- “You do not really get to know a lot in terms of story about these gangs or about why things are the way they are, yet these individual gangs ooze personality, mainly through the location and character design.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and excitement, particularly through its retro aesthetic and movie references, which resonate with fans of classic action films. However, some players express feelings of discomfort during certain segments, suggesting that while the game can elicit positive emotions, it also has moments that detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, many recommend it for its ability to make players feel engaged and connected to its themes.
- “This one made me feel something again.”
- “Loved all the movie references - made me feel like I was in 'Escape from New York' or 'Death Wish 3'.”
- “Despite this flaw, I can only give this game the highest recommendations for anyone who's a fan of run and guns and 80's-90's retro aesthetic loaded with fun and heartfelt references that pay homage to the genres it's inspired by.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, running smoothly on various systems, including the M1 MacBook Air. However, some players have reported frustrating glitches during movement, particularly when navigating levels slowly. Despite these issues, the game's performance and visual quality are generally well-received.
- “Runs great, looks good, and the soundtrack is excellent.”
- “Runs great on my M1 MacBook Air.”
- “If you enjoy crawling through levels, moving slowly, and getting frustrated by glitches while navigating, this game is for you.”
- “The game is plagued by constant crashes and bugs that ruin the experience.”
- “I encountered numerous stability issues that made it nearly unplayable at times.”