Hey all! Glad to join this roundtable discussion about Hunt: Showdown 1896, the extraction shooter born out of Crytek’s studio. Let’s dive in, shall we? Starting with our overall impressions. I found it incredibly immersive, which is saying a lot. User reviews are singing praises for its sound design while grappling with a not so perfect UI. What did you guys think?
I’ll pick right up from the UI criticism. As a speedrunner, intuitive controls are vital. Sure, I got caught up in UI issues, had moments where overriding my loadout was all too easy. But isn’t that what makes a game… a game? I found maneuvering through the twisted backwaters thrilling despite the quirks, and the technicalities actually added to the suspense for me.
True to a degree, SpeedyGamer99, but when it affects how we interact with the game environment, discussions need to happen. From a completionist’s perspective, the UI influencing item usage can hinder exploration. I loved the experience of unlocking dark powers and forbidden wealth – if handled better, all these elements can really shape a player’s journey.
Speaking of shaping a player’s journey, let’s talk narrative. I must say, Crytek has truly mastered in creating an intense atmosphere within the narrative. The corrupted backwaters, timeless evil, ruthless Hunters, the constant threat, all these worked together to keep the adrenaline levels high. The permanent death feature intensifies it to a whole new level.
Completely agreed! The world-building elements kept me on my toes! If I could expand upon the visuals for a moment… Crytek did an excellent job encapsulating this 1896 era, creating this suffocating yet mesmerizing ambiance. The animations are top-tier, seamlessly plunging players into this grim, corrupted world that both frightens and attracts.
And let’s not forget how the audio and sound design elevates this intense atmosphere. Campers beware, every rustling leaf, every squelch can give your position away. And the haunting melodies of Port Sulphur Band, that only adds to the eerie tension. It really makes you feel deep in these backwaters engaged in a fight for survival.
dark, gritty, and atmospheric, capturing the essence of a corrupted, twisted world set in 1896
Speed-running this, it’s actually a plus. The audio cues are so well implemented – it helps anticipate an approaching enemy or escape when I’m close to being cornered. Makes the challenge level and combat more strategic than other shooters I’ve tried.
Absolutely, the combat difficulty is up there, and it’s fantastic. The game mechanics pushes us towards tactical action, every bullet does count, every wound does hurt. From a pro-player’s perspective, the onus on strategy over spray and pray is a welcome change in pace.
No doubt, the characters and their development only add fuel to that fire. With everything already intense, dealing with ruthless Hunters brings that added unpredictability to gameplay and narrative. They’ve done an incredible job balancing the human elements in such a monster-ridden world.
That’s a good segue into our final discussion topic… How does Hunt: Showdown 1896 fare in terms of replay value?
As far as replay value, it has immense potential. Apart from the branching paths and my personal speedrunning challenges, the frequent updates that introduce new events and characters, it keeps pulling me back in.
And Crytek’s commitment to ongoing development is promising. Seeing these continuous improvements and additions makes me hopeful for the game’s future.
Absolutely, Hunt: Showdown 1896 is a unique extraction shooter that, despite its flaws, has a charm that can’t be denied. It may not be a masterpiece, but in its short life since 2019, it’s carved its own niche.
With so many perspectives today, it’s clear that Hunt: Showdown 1896 by Crytek has a lot going for it: a unique era setting, a menacing atmosphere and complex, immersive gameplay mechanics. We’re excited to see how Crytek will address player feedback and how this game’s legacy might shape future shooter titles.
