In the multiplayer shooter Hunt: Showdown, you fight against horrific creatures and other players in a sandbox world. The title aims not only to be fun but also to generate a threatening atmosphere. Our author Guddy has taken a peek into the currently ongoing alpha.
The current closed alpha of Hunt: Showdown does not show a finished game yet. It is still to be revised and refined, and not all content is implemented yet. Nevertheless, in most matches, some other players are already showing up in the expansive swamp area designed after Louisiana in 1889.
Everyone is struggling with the quirks of an alpha: with long loading times, error messages, and minor glitches. However, one can assume that such problems will diminish over time.
In the alpha, it is about the impressions of the gaming experience:
- Does Hunt: Showdown manage to create atmosphere?
- Is the gameplay fun?
- And how is the current balance?
In Hunt, you not only have to track down the boss monster, banish it to hell, and take the trophy home, but you also become a target yourself. Once you have the trophy in your backpack, all other hunters want to take you down to claim the bounty for themselves.
Alone at Night with My Girlfriend, Paranoia
But before you dive into the mud, you need to hire a hunter. They are all stylish and give a first impression of the world with their rugged looks. They come with their own inventory and individual names. If it has a name, you must protect it!
And so, for the first time, I am reminded that I need to take care of my hunters. Because later in the real game, the rule is: If you die, you’re really dead. With this thought, I dive into the game – and will soon realize that it is not as easy to keep your hunter alive.
I land somewhere in the swamp. Not only at my home is it pitch dark, but the game has also donned its darkest garb. Choosing the headset instead of the speakers in Hunt is essential and greatly supports immersion. Around me, the underbrush crackles. The swamp gurgles and splashes at irregular intervals. Is it just the environment, or is it one of those creatures that wants to make your life difficult?
Soundscapes are Crucial for Survival in Hunt: Showdown
The soundscapes are a major plus in Hunt: Showdown. They not only provide the necessary horror atmosphere but also indicate where the enemies are located. If you step on a twig, bump against hanging chains, or scare up crows, a sound is always produced. This is not only advantageous for locating your opponents but can also become a bitter disadvantage: Because you are not just a hunter but also hunted.
This uncertainty, coupled with disgusting sounds like slurping, moaning, and the cracking of nameless horrors, can truly induce fear. More than once, I stood waiting in front of a locked door of a wooden house, behind which there was shuffling and groaning. My imagination ran wild, and under the pressure of the fabulously creepy graphics, I had to encourage myself to see what was behind the door.
Hunters and the Hunted
I hear gunshots from afar. However, who they are aimed at is not my main question. After all, it is a matter of finding and taking down the monster while also being on the lookout for rival teams. When it comes to the monster, you have the agony of choice. In the alpha, you can choose in advance whether you want to deal with a giant spider or a zombie with a pig’s head.
You go hunting equipped with archaic-looking weapons: shotgun, pistol, axe. Accuracy is not really their strong point, and the ammunition is limited.
The roaming creatures, monsters, and hunters are not necessarily easy to defeat. While many are sluggish, once you have their attention, they can show uncomfortable speed, brandishing claws, pistols, or teeth. The environment does not make it easy either: Fire, for instance, can set you ablaze and deal massive damage, and glass shards are not your friends either.
More Effective in a Team than Alone
While there is also a charm in wading through the swamp alone: Everything feels more threatening, and being on your own increases paranoia. However, as a pair, you can make the most of the situation and allow tactical teamwork to speak for itself. Additionally, it is possible to revive fallen comrades: if you have the necessary nerve.
That said, you never know how many opponents are still active. There is no display that would reveal this, and so it can very well be that you are all alone in the open – or nine people have gathered in the bushes next to you, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
But of course, there is one exception: If the ritual for banishing the boss monster is in progress, the location is marked on the map. Any remaining hunters can then casually head over and track the marked player. Underhanded? Absolutely! And it is incredibly fun!
Conclusion and Outlook – Our Impressions of the Hunt: Showdown Alpha So Far
Hunt: Showdown looks promising. The audio and visuals create a harmonious symbiosis that teaches you to shiver. If you immerse yourself in the mood, with all the soft and loud sounds, the world and its creatures, you can have a damn good time with this title.
Not all hunters, maps, and weapons have been integrated yet; the alpha still presents an unfinished picture – especially regarding optimizations. Loading times can make life difficult, but these are the quirks of the current phase. It is not finished yet. The important thing is that Hunt: Showdown has potential, and not just a little.
The Roadmap
The developers are currently working hard on the game, which is evident from frequent server maintenance. They also recently released a roadmap, showing what to expect in the future for Hunt. Among other things:
- Many more weapons, hunter outfits, and maps.
- Various difficulty levels.
- A crafting system.
- New sandbox features that have yet to be defined.
- Overhaul of the AI.
Additionally, female characters will also be available. According to a Twitter reply, this will, however, take a while.
Here is the roadmap of the developers in English.
Release of Hunt: Showdown Likely Not Until 2019
The alpha will run longer. You can still sign up on the official Hunt: Showdown website. Overall, the developers want to take a few more months to optimize the title. Therefore, a release before 2019 is quite unlikely.
It is also still unclear if Hunt: Showdown will be available only for PC or also for the PS4 and Xbox One consoles. Either way: It is a title to keep an eye on.
Have you played it yet? What do you think of the game?
