Predator: Hunting Grounds
- April 28, 2021
- IllFonic
- 6h median play time
"Predator: Hunting Grounds" is an asymmetrical multiplayer shooter that immerses players in the Predator universe. Choose to be part of an elite Fireteam completing paramilitary operations, or play as the Predator with advanced alien technology to hunt your prey. The game meticulously recreates the look and feel of the Predator lore, with lush jungles and signature weapons and abilities. Human vs. alien weaponry has never been this intense.
Reviews
- gameplay458 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the Predator game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the fun and engaging mechanics, particularly for the Predator character, which captures the essence of the franchise. However, players have noted significant issues with balance, optimization, and repetitive gameplay, especially for the fireteam, leading to frustrations with matchmaking and bugs. Overall, while the core gameplay is enjoyable and offers a unique asymmetrical experience, it suffers from a lack of polish and content updates.
“I love the predator gameplay and how much you can do with its appearance and classes.”
“Overall, it's nice to see it come back to life and the gameplay with the predator is as fun as ever.”
“From intense firefights to strategic predator hunts, the game offers diverse gameplay elements that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
“It doesn’t capture the feel of a true predator game—the mechanics and execution just don’t deliver.”
“Gameplay was fine, but the factors that repelled me from resuming to play it were the balancing and diminishing player base (most likely due to lack of updates and devs' care).”
“The game and its mechanics are clunky and, quite frankly, boring.”
- story306 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game lacks a cohesive story or campaign, relying instead on a series of repetitive missions that can feel stale over time. While there are audio logs that provide some lore, many players express a strong desire for a dedicated single-player mode or a more immersive narrative experience. Overall, the absence of a substantial story detracts from the potential depth of the gameplay, leaving it feeling more like a series of disconnected objectives rather than a compelling narrative journey.
“Even though Predator: Hunting Grounds may not be the best game and may not be considered 'game of the year,' it is endlessly entertaining to play, stalking through the jungle as either a firefighter or a predator, unclear if you are the hunter or hunted is a rewarding experience, and the randomized missions keep things engaging, even without a cohesive and immersive story.”
“The game nails the aesthetic and tone of the first Predator film, down to Arnold Schwarzenegger himself voicing Dutch in a set of audio logs that directly follow the story of the first film (the narrative is genuinely compelling, if short).”
“If they added a single player section allowing the predator to go through a story of becoming a better hunter, this could be a great game.”
“The worst aspect of the game is a total lack of PvE content or a story of any real kind.”
“No single player, no story, and no real connection to the movies other than tapes and recordings.”
“Very boring, no story mode which could have been really good and all you can do is play against 4 other people as the predator.”
- graphics242 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the aesthetic fidelity to the original Predator series and the variety of customization options available. However, numerous players report significant optimization issues, leading to poor performance and frame rate drops even on high-end systems. While some find the visuals appealing and immersive, others criticize them as outdated or unpolished, suggesting that the game struggles to balance graphical fidelity with performance.
“With stunning graphics and immersive sound design, every moment feels authentic and adrenaline-fueled.”
“The graphics are amazing, especially when you pull the spines out of your enemy.”
“The customization is superb, the graphics are great, and everything about the game feels like it was made by people who really cared about the predator series.”
“The game is so poorly optimized; some parts of the newer maps will heavily screw with your framerate, even if you run it on the latest graphics cards.”
“The graphics look several generations old, and that's on the epic settings level.”
“The graphics settings on PC are very barebones and unoptimized, with textures not looking any different past the medium setting.”
- optimization158 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 37 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, crashes, and significant performance issues even on high-end hardware. Many users experience severe frame rate drops, stuttering, and inconsistent performance across different game modes, leading to frustration and a diminished gameplay experience. Despite the game's potential, the lack of effective optimization updates over the years has left the community feeling neglected and hopeful for future improvements.
“This game could be awesome on PC, but the only thing holding it back is the horrid optimization.”
“All guns, human and predator, have a good satisfying feeling when moving around the map and playing. The graphics are pretty good as well, but optimization could be better for PC.”
“Granted, it has performance issues at times, but overall, the gameplay loop is fun.”
“The game is so poorly optimized, some parts of the newer maps will screw heavily with your framerate, even if you run it on the latest graphics cards.”
“Game is poorly optimized for PC and it's a shame as it has potential to be quite fun if it ran better.”
“The game is riddled with game-breaking bugs, poor optimization, and lack of content.”
- stability124 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly hinder the gameplay experience. Players have noted persistent problems such as crashes, lag, and matchmaking difficulties, particularly with crossplay and server performance. While some find the game enjoyable despite these issues, the overwhelming consensus is that it remains a "buggy mess" in need of serious updates and fixes.
“Fun game runs great and looks good even on bad PCs.”
“The game is so functional that it makes Cyberpunk look bug-free.”
“This game is very fun, and it's a definite pick for any fans of the Predator franchise.”
“I hopped back in for the PS5 and next-gen update to see Illfonic seemingly has not only ignored feedback but added more bugs, more optimization issues, buggy servers, and milked a dying community.”
“This game could be awesome, but there's way too many bugs and glitches and as far as I'm concerned developers couldn't care less about them.”
“As of the most recent patch, the game is a buggy mess with clunky controls that constantly frame lag and brain-dead AI.”
- humor54 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying the absurdity of gameplay moments, such as chaotic interactions and unexpected AI behavior. Many reviews mention the hilarity of voice chat exchanges and the comedic potential of custom game modes, making it a fun experience, especially when played with friends. Despite some criticisms regarding the game's mechanics and pricing, the overall sentiment is that the humor adds significant enjoyment to the gameplay.
“But oh boy, screaming to your friend the predator is here, help help while laughing at the same time is amazing.”
“The proxy chat is sooo funny!!!”
“It is hilarious hearing people absolutely freak out on their trash mics as I leap down from the trees and spam 'want some candy?' I have never seen so many hot mics in my life.”
- music54 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its faithful recreation of the original film's soundtrack, enhancing the immersive experience and evoking nostalgia among fans. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as the standout feature, with some rating it a perfect 10/10, while others note that the sound effects and ambience contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere. However, there are mentions of repetitive music tracks in the menus and issues with online play affecting the overall experience.
“The music is simply the best thing about this game.”
“Very faithful to the source material, wonderful soundtrack.”
“The music, sound effects, and atmosphere really make this game great.”
“Best part of this entire game was honestly the soundtrack and the references from the animations; other than that, I'm very disappointed with how a predator game ended up like this.”
“Only one music track endlessly loops over and over in the menus.”
“Here's something wacky, the predator has locational voice chat, meaning in one match I was able to track the predator down every time he ran away because he was blasting music with his microphone on.”
- grinding36 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 78 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game receives mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the balanced progression system that minimizes excessive grinding and find it enjoyable, others feel that it can be tedious, especially for newcomers facing more experienced players. Overall, the game rewards participation and offers a variety of objectives, making the grinding experience less burdensome compared to similar titles. However, unlocking everything still requires a significant time investment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“People who are brand new to this aren't going to have fun against people who play this game a lot since there is a lot of grinding in the game itself and since there isn't any kind of skill-based matchmaking, so who you play against is totally random.”
“Also, this game is pretty grindy if you are looking to unlock everything.”
“I've spent dozens of hours grinding experience in private matches so I can be somewhat of a threat to the more aggressive predator players.”
- monetization34 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 65 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players expressing disappointment over overpriced DLCs that primarily offer cosmetic skins rather than substantial content updates. While there are no microtransactions and cosmetics can be unlocked through gameplay, many feel that the developers have not adequately supported the game, leading to a perception of neglect and missed opportunities within the franchise. Overall, the monetization approach has left players feeling frustrated and underwhelmed.
“No microtransactions, just DLC and unlocks via leveling. Very few bugs that I've encountered. Overall, the only reason I'm not giving it a 10 is because you frequently have to queue with PS4/PS5 players since the Steam player base is practically nonexistent.”
“The game is pretty generous with XP rewards and chest unlocks (there's no microtransactions in this game, just XP/currency use), so even a bad match still means you got something for your troubles and can move on.”
“Cosmetics are good and are unlocked through gameplay, rather than microtransactions.”
“This is a $9.99 game at best. I waited years for a real DLC drop, but it was just overpriced skins. This was just a cash grab for the devs. Sometimes I wonder if they even watched a Predator movie.”
“I've been waiting in the lobby to play as Predator for almost an hour and a half. This is a waste of money; the devs don't seem to add anything new but cash grab DLCs. No maps, nothing new; you play the same 2-3 maps over and over.”
“It just felt like a half-baked cash grab. What a wasted opportunity on a beloved franchise.”
- atmosphere26 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Predator: Hunting Grounds" is widely praised for its strong recreation of the original Predator movie, featuring immersive sound design, dense jungle environments, and effective use of music and sound effects. While many players appreciate the atmospheric tension it creates, some feel that the fast-paced gameplay can detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed opinions on its consistency. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of the Predator universe, making it a standout feature despite some criticisms.
“They really nailed everything from the atmosphere to the looks and movements of the predator, and it's truly awesome to feel like the creature hunting down an elite special forces unit.”
“Predator: Hunting Grounds has a great atmosphere, with dense jungle environments, mist, and the squeal of a pig in the distance just to scare you a little.”
“The music, sound effects, and atmosphere really make this game great.”
“The only real issues I have though is the atmosphere of the game.”
“The atmosphere falls apart when it's so fast paced.”
“I just like the atmosphere that this game presents because I have given negative reviews for much less in other games.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, with players enjoying a mix of first-person shooter mechanics and predator gameplay, leading to a fun experience that feels fresh over time. While the DLCs primarily introduce new playable predators without expanding maps or weapons, the steady unlocking of new items and cosmetics up to level 100+ keeps players engaged without feeling rushed. Overall, the combination of gameplay variety and progression systems contributes to a lasting replay value.
“Wonderfully created with its replayability that goes on forever, mixes a first-person shooter with the predator which makes one of the best combinations I have seen!”
“Really fun game with a lot of replayability.”
“As for replay value, you steadily unlock new weapons, items, and cosmetics all the way up to level 100+, leveling up is not too slow, but not too quick as to burn through everything you can acquire.”
“The DLCs have all been simply more playable predators, with no updates to add more maps, weapons, or anything more meaningful.”
“4/15 game time / replayability.”
“As for replay value, you steadily unlock new weapons, items, and cosmetics all the way up to level 100+. Leveling up is not too slow, but not too quick as to burn through everything you can acquire.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that character development in the game is lacking, with many feeling it falls short compared to even low-budget titles from the mid-2000s. The overall design and depth of characters do not meet expectations, leading to a disappointing experience.
“Everything from the combat to the character design was done better by your average budget title shooter that you could find on the $10 game rack in the mid-2000s.”
“The character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking any meaningful progression or depth.”
“I was disappointed by how one-dimensional the characters are; they don't evolve or change throughout the game.”