4.5/5 ★ – Yeij's review of Hunt: Showdown.

this isn't really a battle-royale but thats probably the closest to a genre i can relate it to. Hunt is a good game, a VERY good game. the gist of the game is that you and other hunters on the map all compete to kill a monster and try to extract with the bounty. see why it's very similar to a battle royale but why i dont call it one? there's no closing zone, you bring in a loadout instead of collecting gear, and you dont choose where you start on the map. the game it's closest to is escape from tarkov, and even then they are two very different games. so i think it's safe to say that hunt is a very unique experience. what other game do you hunt down monsters with 1800s weaponry in the bayous of Louisiana? as for gameplay, combat is fairly good. guns have good impact and fights are won by those who have better aim, prepared better, or used the environment in the best way possible. there are tons of peepholes to use in the dilapidated buildings, giving insane but very restricted angles that can be used to win battles. there is of course a fair bit of walking but you have to be constantly cautious of alerting crows, attracting hell hounds, scaring ducks, making horses wail at the sight of you, and more. seeing enemy hunters is important but sound is INCREDIBLY important with the vast ways to alert opposing players. there are bits of loot to find like little wads of hunt dollars, ammo/health refills, and free bloodline points. one thing i wish to be improved is the visibility of enemy players, but that might be on me because my eyesight isnt the best. ive also yet to see if legendary hunters or weapons are op but in the cases where ive went against legendary weapons ive had fair fights because of how i can use the environment to my advantage. following up on this, after having played 30 hours I can tell ya that legendary hunters and weapons are just cosmetic! the art style and art direction are on point. guns, clothing, buildings, all very reminiscent of the late 1800s while the bayou is slimy and the monsters are horrifying. graphics are great as expected from a crytek engine game. music is also good, overall presentation just nails the setting and atmosphere really well. Hunt is a good game and if it does count as a battle royale, it's definitely my favorite BR then because it's pretty much nothing like every battle royale ive played. this is definitely a game to play with friends since a coordinated duo or trio can do better against high level veterans. theres also the weird thing where player model textures load in later than everything else and the game keeps connecting me to US West servers when I'm US East. However, these complaints are minor and barely hold back Hunt: Showdown from being an incredibly unique experience that I always enjoy even if I get shit on. recommended to those who should play more than battle royales, those looking for a battle royale alternative, and just anybody in general because this game is overlooked as hell.