Hunt: Showdown Introduction

Hunt: Showdown is a multiplayer first-person shooter with survival horror and extraction shooter elements, developed by Crytek (the creators of the Crysis series). It was first released in Early Access in 2018, then received a full release on August 27, 2019, for PC, and later for PlayStation and Xbox.

Hunt: Showdown combines PvP (Player vs. Player) and PvE (Player vs. Environment) gameplay, where players must hunt terrifying monsters across a vast map while competing against other teams for rewards. The game is renowned for its gripping atmosphere, realistic audio, and high-risk, high-reward system. 

Setting & Atmosphere Hunt: Showdown

The game takes place in late 19th-century Louisiana in the 1890s. The setting of Hunt: Showdown is gloomy, replete with swamps, run-down structures, and an eerie vibe reminiscent of a gothic horror movie. The area is tense due to the presence of monsters, supernatural beings, and an enigmatic disease.

From natural lighting and fog effects to realistic environmental sounds (such as birds flying as you approach, creaking chains, footsteps in the water, etc.), Crytek uses CryEngine to produce incredibly detailed graphics.

Hunt: Showdown Game Premise & Objective

As a Hunter (bounty hunter) in Hunt: Showdown, your job is to locate and eliminate the Main Target (boss monster) on the map.

Hunt: Showdown’s main target

• The Butcher → a giant monster armed with a meat hook and half-pig, half-human.
• The Spider → a giant spider that moves quickly and climbs walls.
• The Assassin → a shadowy creature whose body is made of swarms of insects.
• Scrapbeak → a large creature with a bird costume and brutal weapons.

The main objective of Hunt: Showdown

1. Enter the map with a team (2–3 people, or solo).
2. Collect clues to find the boss’s location.
3. Kill the boss.
4. Collect the Bounty Token from the boss.
5. Safely exit the map via the Extraction Point.

However, the big challenge is: other players also have the same mission. They can kill you and take your bounty.

PvP + PvE elements

Hunt: Showdown is unique because it combines:

• PvE: Face off against AI-controlled monsters, zombies, and bosses.
• PvP: Face off against other players who want to kill you and steal your bounty.

The tension arises because you don’t know where the enemy is. Every sound you make—shooting, running through water, opening a door, or even chasing away crows—can be heard far away, allowing the enemy to track your position.

High Risk System Hunt: Showdown

Hunt: Showdown has a permadeath mechanic for the character you are playing in Bounty Hunt mode:

• If a character dies, you lose them, along with all their weapons and equipment.
• You can only keep the weapons or items if you survive.
• However, you still earn some XP for your Bloodline (account level) even if your character dies.

This system makes every decision in the game crucial, as one small mistake can wipe out all the weapon progress you’ve accumulated.

Game Mode 

Bounty Hunt (main mode)

Event Mode (temporary)

• Seasonal events feature special missions, such as slaying specific monsters or collecting event points.
• Rewards include unique weapons or legendary hunters.

Progression System

There are two main progresses:

Hunter Progression

Hunters gain XP and can level up to the maximum. If they die, the hunter is lost forever (permadeath).

Bloodline Progression

Account levels continue to increase, even if the hunter dies. Bloodlines unlock access to new weapons, traits, and equipment.

Weapon & Equipment Systems

The weapons in Hunt: Showdown are based on 19th century technology

• Revolvers, lever-action rifles, dual shotguns, crossbows, and even Molotov cocktails.
• There are no modern automatic weapons like in modern FPS games.
• Weapons have high recoil and slow reload times, making accuracy and timing crucial.

Besides weapons, there are tools and consumables

• Medkit to restore HP.
• Choke Bomb to extinguish fires.
• Concertina Bomb (barbed wire) to block off areas.
• Dynamite for large explosions.

In-Game Trait System

Traits are passive abilities that can be purchased for hunters, such as:

• Greyhound: Run faster and longer.
• Fanning: Rapid fire with a revolver.
• Necromancer: Revive teammates remotely.
• Poison Sense: Detect poisoned enemies.

Unique Features of this game

1. Dark Sight

a function to view boss or clue locations. Dark Sight can be used to see enemy positions within a specific range after claiming a bounty.

2. Voice as a Weapon

The audio is incredibly realistic and crucial to gameplay. Experienced players can distinguish the sound of footsteps on wood, mud, or water, and can guess the distance of enemies.

3. Permadeath Hunter

Losing characters makes every battle tense, unlike regular FPS games where you can respawn.

4. Horror Atmosphere

While not a full-on horror, the dark atmosphere, tense music, and terrifying monsters keep players on their toes.

Advantages & Disadvantages of this game

Advantages

• A unique combination of PvP and PvE.
• Highly immersive atmosphere and audio.
• A risk-taking system that makes victory feel satisfying.
• Weapons and settings rarely used in other FPS games.

Disadvantages

• Difficult for new players (high learning curve).
• The game pace is slow for those used to fast-paced action games.
• Permadeath can be frustrating if you lose frequently.

FAQ Hunt: Showdown

1. What is Hunt: Showdown?

Hunt: Showdown is a multiplayer first-person shooter game that combines PvP (Player vs. Player) and PvE (Player vs. Environment) elements. Players take on the role of a bounty hunter who must hunt down boss monsters on the map, collect bounties, and then escape the area while avoiding other players trying to kill them.

2. Can you play solo?

Yes. However, playing solo is more difficult because you have to fight duos/trio and still have to deal with monsters.

3. Are there hunter and weapon skins?

Yes. there are Legendary Hunter and Weapon Skins available, which can be purchased with Hunt Dollars or Blood Bonds (premium currency).