HUNTDOWN

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,542 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
HUNTDOWN Game Cover
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
Starting at $4.93Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Epic Games Store Get on Apple Store

"Huntdown" is a local and online co-op Science Fiction Shooter game, with single-player and split screen options. The game boasts an interesting plot, perfect gameplay, sensational graphics, excellent soundtrack, and hilarious humor. Recently, an action-packed arcade mode was added, allowing players to compete against others worldwide in a brutal race to the top of the leaderboards.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,542 reviews
gameplay133 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • Huntdown features stunning pixel art and a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic that captures the essence of 80s action movies.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and engaging, with a variety of weapons and unique boss fights that keep the experience fresh and exciting.
  • The game includes humorous one-liners and references to classic films, adding charm and personality to the overall experience.
  • The difficulty can spike unexpectedly, particularly during boss fights, which may lead to frustration for some players.
  • Some players find the gameplay repetitive, with levels feeling similar and lacking significant variety.
  • The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content or additional gameplay modes.
  • gameplay310 mentions

    The gameplay of Huntdown is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, tight controls, and nostalgic 80s aesthetic, combining classic run-and-gun elements with modern features like cover mechanics and unique boss battles. While many players appreciate the variety and challenge presented in the gameplay, some note that it can become repetitive over time, with a few expressing a desire for more diverse mechanics and character differentiation. Overall, the game successfully balances fun, challenge, and style, making it a standout title in the retro shooter genre.

    • “The gameplay is excellent, with boss mechanics that are both varied, fun, and at times challenging.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, with tight controls and satisfying shooting mechanics.”
    • “Huntdown is an amazing retro shoot'em'up with some really cool mechanics and really interesting bosses, damn, this game is good.”
    • “Throwables and explosives hurt yourself and teammates, which is just bad mechanics for a game like this.”
    • “The gameplay felt too basic and I couldn't stand it after beating the wrestler boss.”
    • “It's not that the gameplay is poor by any means (as it's very good), it just doesn't do anything to a level I've not already seen in other releases - I enjoyed it, but it didn't 'wow!' me.”
  • music297 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and nostalgic synthwave soundtrack that perfectly complements the retro aesthetic and gameplay. The soundtrack is described as a standout feature, often compared to classic 80s action movie scores, and is noted for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and excitement of the game. Overall, players find the music to be a significant highlight, contributing to the game's addictive and immersive experience.

    • “The soundtrack is a love letter to synthwave, transporting you to an era where synthesizers ruled the airwaves.”
    • “Huntdown is a glorious homage to the '80s, blending pixelated aesthetics with challenging gameplay and a soundtrack that pumps adrenaline.”
    • “The music is perfect and the sound design is great, fitting seamlessly into the game's atmosphere.”
    • “First, they dropped the ball on the music.”
    • “Uninteresting generic soundtrack that just repetitively drones the same 80's inspired guitar themes.”
    • “I also don't really like the soundtrack, which is supposed to be a big draw.”
  • graphics241 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and vibrant retro aesthetic, effectively capturing the essence of 80s and 90s action films. Players appreciate the attention to detail, dynamic environments, and the overall nostalgic feel that enhances the gameplay experience. While some find the retro style overused, the high production values and artistic execution are consistently praised, making it a standout in the genre.

    • “The pixel art graphics are extremely polished, the soundtrack is full of bangers, and gameplay is precise.”
    • “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.”
    • “The graphics and environments are everything I've ever wanted and I'm besotted with the aesthetic and technoir soundtrack.”
    • “The visuals are bad because they often make it nearly impossible to perceive incoming attacks, which makes it nearly impossible to avoid incoming attacks due to over-cluttering and poor telegraphing.”
    • “Graphics are as if they fell out right of the DOS era.”
    • “Ok, the graphics are those '90s arcade graphics; it's just like Contra, worse than Metal Slug.”
  • story101 mentions

    The story in the game is generally described as simple and straightforward, akin to an action movie script, with limited depth and character development. While some players appreciate its nostalgic charm and immersive atmosphere, others find it lacking in complexity and replay value. Overall, the narrative serves primarily to support the engaging gameplay rather than stand out on its own.

    • “It's got a fun, interesting, and immersive story and atmosphere.”
    • “This game has some of the most amazing lore building and environmental storytelling, which easily pulled me into the world.”
    • “The story is simple but presented with such over-the-top flair that it immediately won me over.”
    • “If you're looking for a complex narrative, you might find the plot a bit on the shallow side.”
    • “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.”
  • humor78 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and wit, featuring a mix of nostalgic references to 70s and 80s action movies, funny one-liners, and memorable characters, all delivered through excellent voice acting. Players appreciate the balance of humor with challenging gameplay, noting that the comedic elements enhance the overall experience without feeling forced or overdone. The game's retro aesthetic and engaging dialogue contribute to a fun and entertaining atmosphere, making it a standout in the genre.

    • “Good voice acting, retro art style, funny one-liners, and bosses with very different attack patterns for each level.”
    • “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.”
    • “Huntdown is a funny game, but it's thoughtfully funny.”
  • replayability41 mentions

    The game offers high replayability, driven by multiple difficulty levels, various character abilities, and an engaging arcade mode that encourages players to achieve perfect runs and complete challenges. While some players note a lack of significant variation between characters, the presence of secrets, achievements, and different gameplay modes ensures that completionists and casual players alike will find reasons to return. Overall, the replay value is considered strong, particularly for those who enjoy a challenge.

    • “There is a solid level of replayability if you want to kill every enemy, collect stashes, or attempt deathless runs of each level.”
    • “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.”
    • “No replay value but a solid playthrough in about 3 hours.”
    • “Zero replay value since all three characters are mostly the same.”
    • “Although the replayability is there, it could use a DLC that is as long as the main game.”
  • atmosphere39 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant pixel art, immersive 80s and cyberpunk themes, and a captivating synthwave soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the clever dialogue, nostalgic aesthetics, and engaging level design, all contributing to a fun and gritty ambiance reminiscent of classic action films. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a perfect blend of style, sound, and storytelling, making it a standout feature.

    • “The atmosphere is amazing!”
    • “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 best thing about this game is the cool scenery, music, and all the little touches that go into setting the atmosphere. It's 90s side-scrolling carnage in high res, and it's beautiful in its crumbling sci-fi dystopian finery, but ain't no one got time to look at the drapes when there are baddies to gib at 6 and 12, point-blank.”
    • “The pixel artwork, the soundtrack, gameplay, writing, and atmosphere are cracked.”
    • “The art direction and music make for an extremely nostalgic atmosphere of pure 80's action schlock.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Players have expressed frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, particularly during boss battles, which can feel tedious and overly difficult. While some appreciate the lack of predatory mechanics like loot drops, many find that the frequent and challenging boss encounters lead to a grindfest that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the grinding can become a significant barrier to enjoyment, especially in the later stages of the game.

    • “No grinding, no player retention mechanics, no loot drops or other predatory practices.”
    • “Various and action-packed levels, short and not tedious.”
    • “I got extremely frustrated with some of the late fights which were impossibly tedious.”
    • “The final thing I'll say is that the boss fights, while often visually impressive, were either tedious and easy or tedious and a giant pain in my ass.”
    • “Problem starts after a couple of boss fights; it's a real grindfest and gets a bit tedious after a while.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting excellent performance at a solid 60fps and 1080p resolution. While character control is well-optimized, adjusting settings for better performance can significantly impact frame rates. The attention to performance details enhances the gameplay experience, making it a recommended choice for fans of the genre.

    • “Optimized character control.”
    • “Performance: 9/10”
    • “Performance: excellent (solid 60fps, 1080p resolution)”
    • “Any other setting, including fast, which should sacrifice visual quality for performance, tanks player performance to 1-2 FPS.”
    • “Every performance is taken 100% seriously, even the goofy ones, and Wolfmother's voice actor absolutely kills the line delivery for what is otherwise kind of uninteresting text.”
    • “[b]Overall impressions & performance[/b]”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a mixed emotional response to the game, with some feeling empowered and nostalgic due to its references to classic films, while others report discomfort during certain segments that detracted from their overall enjoyment. The lack of engaging mechanics left some feeling unfulfilled, highlighting a divide in emotional engagement among players.

    • “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'.”
    • “Point is that there were long stretches of this game that made me feel gross when it really didn't need to, and I feel that there are others who would feel the same, and it is thus worth mentioning.”
  • character development5 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its unique and engaging designs, complemented by exceptional voice acting and witty dialogue. Players appreciate the attention to detail, with numerous Easter eggs and references enhancing the overall experience. The combination of a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic and memorable character interactions contributes to a rich and immersive narrative.

    • “The voice acting is phenomenal, like AAA level quality. I absolutely love the character design and the fun one-liners and dialogue.”
    • “Almost everything seems to be an easter egg or reference, from voicelines to background decorations or character designs. At times, I caught myself just looking up graffiti or billboards online, on the off chance there may be a reference somewhere.”
    • “An excellent sidescrolling brawler with superb pixel art and character design.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices in character progression; it feels like you're just going through the motions.”
    • “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs don't evolve in a way that feels satisfying or engaging.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability, running smoothly on various systems, including the M1 MacBook Air. However, some users have reported frustrating glitches during movement, particularly when navigating through levels at a slower pace.

    • “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 riddled with stability issues that make it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “Frequent crashes and bugs ruin the experience, making it hard to stay immersed in the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

Buy HUNTDOWN

Play time

24hMedian play time
24hAverage play time
5-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News