Hunt: Showdown is a first-person shooter game from Crytek—creators of Crysis. This game packs a lot of engaging elements, putting a spin on the typical FPS. Formerly titled as Hunt: Horrors of the Gilded Age, you will travel through the rural swampy land of Louisiana as a bounty hunter who must battle their way to riches by killing monsters. Xbox One and Windows PC gamers can have their hands on the game and play it for hours on end. 

Keeps you at the edge of your seat

Stealth through swamps and lands infested with monsters and fellow hunters who have a price on their heads in exchange for fortune. To defeat the terrors that have plagued the Earth, you can turn on Dark Sight. When equipped with Dark sight, monsters and bounty-bearing players are marked with a light so you can immediately identify and locate them once they’re on your field of sight.

Remember to be careful as you progress in the game. Hunt: Showdown is also a survival game so you really need to be on the lookout if you want to reach the end of the round.

Going round and about

Control schemes aren’t out of the ordinary. Experienced gamers will get a hang of the schemes in no time. There will only be select times where it may go easy-peasy for you. The gunplay proves to be somewhat challenging. It leans more on reality so there is bound to be a loading time before your shot actually hits your opponent. Basically, Hunt: Showdown is no hit-scan. This will challenge you and the way you strategize. Another hurdle is the non-automatic ammo reloading, which may get tricky for newbies. 

It’s also often said that some players feel like their ammo use is restricted. You do have to be frugal or at the very least, accurate with your shots in this game. However, the game still provides wiggle room by making other weapons competitive enough to be used for kills. Wield a knife, throw a bomb, or engage in melee when you find yourself in a pickle. 

The graphics and music will certainly stir plenty of reactions out of you. It gets scary and eerie. Plus, the graphics are seriously good, too. It’s enough for you to catch yourself in awe of the game’s look and gameplay. It’s heavy on detail as it is as heavy on strategy.

Mammon’s Gulch and other exciting features 

The game’s official launch introduces a wealth of content, most prominently Map #4 named Mammon’s Gulch. Set against the rugged and imposing backdrop of a new mountain biome inspired by the majestic landscapes of Colorado, it’s a large, sprawling map brimming with treacherous terrain, vast forests, and expansive underground mines. Players can scale the peaks for a tactical advantage or navigate the rugged terrain to outmaneuver their foes. 

The map also comes with 16 distinct locations, such as the Terminus Railyard, Grizzly Lodge, The Gasworks, Preston Oil, and more. Three of these spots, positioned at the very edges of the map, are particularly noteworthy as they offer up to two clues, giving players a potential head start. Plus, the increased map size and the number of strategic locations ensure that no two matches will ever play out the same way. 

Moreover, new wildlife has been introduced. Bats and cows now roam the land, adding a touch of realism and a new layer of environmental interaction. Whether these creatures will simply be part of the scenery or serve a more interactive role remains to be seen, but their presence adds to the haunting atmosphere. Beyond map enhancements, the launch also sees a few significant improvements to the game’s core gunplay mechanics. 

Ballistics brings a new depth to shooting, as bullets now experience drop over distance. Then, the new center crosshair option gives players more control over their aim, accommodating different playstyles and preferences. Combined with the new Dark Sight Aim Helper, players will find it easier to perform precise actions under pressure. Besides that, the Scorched Earth event adds a slew of new weapons and equipment. 

New item highlights include the 1865 Carbine, a versatile lever-action rifle perfect for close-quarters combat, and the Infantry 73L, a musket-style rifle with impressive range and capacity. Meanwhile, variants like the Crossbow Deadeye and Rival 78 Trauma shotgun expand tactical options. Also, bear traps add a layer of strategy to your hunts. These portable traps can inflict bleeding damage and are perfect for setting ambushes or covering your retreat. 

Responding to community feedback, the Weekly Challenges system has been overhauled. Challenges are now part of distinct Weekly Sets, which can be completed at any time during the event. This new system is designed to reduce frustration and enhance the overall progression experience, making it easier for players to earn rewards at their own pace. 

Finally, the in-game UI has received a significant update, streamlining navigation and improving accessibility for players regardless of the gaming platform used. These changes are part of an ongoing effort to modernize the game’s interface, making it more intuitive and user-friendly while setting the stage for future updates.

Are you ready? 

Think of the game like PUBG meets a Louisiana horror story. It has a rich narrative for its nature. It has an immersive gameplay that makes it easier to be believable. You’ll have a whole lot of feelings playing the game, but fear will definitely be one of them. This game is a testament to the relentless progression of the genre. You get a choice to play PvP or PvE to switch things up.

Resident Evil 2 is one of the games that are similar to Hunt: Showdown. It’s a classic title in the horror and survival genre. However,  you’ll get to play two different campaigns there—as either of the two main characters, Leon and Claire.