Huntdown

 PC
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Noisy Pixel
    May 12, 2020
    95
    Huntdown takes you back to the days of classic arcade 2D action games but utilizes modern tools to perfect the genre. From the beginning to the end, this game is an absolute thrill. The attention to detail in the environments and the ever-changing rollout of enemies play a huge part in keeping each moment of gameplay fresh with a high level of intensity. You might lose track of character once or twice in the carnage and die, but that just means you get to go back to the nearest checkpoint and destroy everything again.
  2. KeenGamer
    Jun 5, 2020
    90
    So what makes Huntdown so great? It’s the satisfaction. It’s the way the tiny pixelated people burst into flame when you roast them with a stolen flamethrower; it’s the bits of meat scattering across the screen when a cluster grenade you’ve thrown pulverizes your enemies. It’s the rage you feel when the boss you’ve spent 45 minutes trying to defeat kills you when he has 1 hp left. It’s the elation you feel when you finally beat him.
  3. The Indie Game Website
    Jun 1, 2020
    90
    Action sequences aren’t all just a case of spraying and praying either, a lot of the game looks like that, but you need to approach things in a more considered matter if you want to actually survive. There’s a constant cycle of fun decisions to make in your weapon choices, movement options, and tactical decisions, and they all elevate Huntdown far above many other run and gunners.
  5. Hardcore Gamer
    May 26, 2020
    90
    Huntdown is awesome, plain and simple. The action is intense and extremely fun, with big, superb levels, tons of firepower to work with, and a cavalcade of amazing enemy encounters and even more amazing bosses. Huntdown is an extremely enjoyable romp that does its coin-op predecessors proud when it comes to satisfying gameplay and perfectly-executed graphics, earning its spot alongside the other retro indie greats…or just alongside other great action games, period. If you’re reading this, then just go and buy it. You will most assuredly not be disappointed.
  6. GameSkinny
    May 25, 2020
    90
    Huntdown is a throwback run and gun shooter that cares about style and rewards precision.
  7. Multiplayer.it
    May 15, 2020
    90
    A small masterpiece for the nostalgia of the 80s.
  8. PC Invasion
    May 12, 2020
    90
    Hunt down Huntdown as fast as you can, because this game is just concentrated action movie goodness delivered straight into your veins.
  9. Worth Playing
    Jun 1, 2021
    85
    Huntdown may not appeal to everyone, but if you have a soft spot for 16-bit retro shooters and '80s action movies (or if you happen to be a nostalgic gamer of a certain age), it's pretty much guaranteed to please. It's just as punishing and satisfying as you'd expect, and that's a very good thing.
  10. GameMAG
    Sep 14, 2020
    80
    Of course, in the world of Huntdown, you can find flaws, such as primitive AI, lack of upgrades or too similar characters, but this does not prevent you from enjoying a very bright and well-staged action.
  11. Ragequit.gr
    May 31, 2020
    80
    Huntdown is a great example of intense old-fashioned action and bad one-liners, it just has the flaw to last as long as a single shot. Tasteful, but short.
  12. PC Games
    May 17, 2020
    80
    With its superb pixel art, engaging action, varied levels, tons of enemies and a stylish soundtrack, Huntdown is a winner. I just wish it lasted a bit longer.
  13. 3DJuegos
    May 13, 2020
    80
    Huntdown is a beautiful pixel art style game deeply inspired by the arcade action of the 80s and featuring great boss design.
  14. AusGamers
    Jun 11, 2020
    77
    Little touches like kicking enemies when they’re close into the air and then blasting them before they hit the ground is the sort of style needed to match Huntdown’s, well, style. Again, if the aesthetic grabs you it won’t let go until the final scumbag meets the end of your firearm. Just don’t expect your moves to match that of the funky synth-lines simmering below the neon, vibrant, and pleasantly grimy surface.
  15. GameOver.gr
    May 22, 2020
    75
    Huntdown is definitely aiming in "emulating" the scenery, brutality, and b-movie aesthetic of the 80s action movies, but from the lenses of an 16-bit, pixel art game that would fit in perfectly in the arcade cabinets of their golden age. Need we say more? Just enjoy its simplistic albeit utterly enjoyable action.

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best PC Game of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 66 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 66
  3. Negative: 9 out of 66
  1. plenilunium
    May 16, 2020
    9
    Graphics: Pixelart at it’s finest. The character select screen, the level map of each area and of course every level has so much details youGraphics: Pixelart at it’s finest. The character select screen, the level map of each area and of course every level has so much details you kinda have to stop every minute to appreciate the effort that went into every sprite. Each of the three bounty hunters that you can play has a different car layout where you get your briefings, select the next level and can get details of your next bounty. Even the game over screen is different for every character. Every boss is unique and their portraits change after you killed them. Considering this game has over 15 levels and bosses the amount of detail and variety is top notch for this kind of Arcade style game. All set in a Dystopian future that got inspired by movies like Blade Runner, Running Man, Escape from New York and Mad Max with alot of Easter eggs to discover.

    Sound: The game features a good gritty Synthwave Soundtrack that really fits the dark Dystopian world. The soundeffects in general are really good and there’s nothing to complain about. The best thing though are the game voices. Each bounty hunter, boss and your client has a voice actor. Especially the bosses feel more unique because of this but it’s also nice for each bounty hunter that has a some funny one liners that fits their personality.There’s also a pretty badass voice for collecting stashes completing bounties etc. that sounds like the voice of Duke Nukem.

    Gameplay: It’s basically a Run and Gun game like Contra or Blazing Chrome but with some more strategic and Arcade style elements such as Elevator Action Returns (Old Arcade game). You just can’t keep running all the time and jump to avoid enemy fire or you will hit the ground very soon. Instead you have to time your shots and seek for cover in the environment such as boxes or dark doorways in the background to avoid enemy bullets. Your still vulnerable to melee attacks and explosions though. You also have a dash move with invincibility frames for certain enemy attacks and a slide to get into cover more quickly. Each bounty hunter has it’s own gun and sub weapon with unlimited ammo. The sub weapon is stronger but you can only fire one shot and have to wait a couple of seconds until you can use it again and you can kick enemies if you get very close to stagger them. The only thing is that all the characters playstyle is almost the same. Same HP, speed and moves. The main gun differences are just the fire rate and fire power. When it comes to the subweapons it gets a little bit better. For example Anna Conda throws an axe in an arc so you can hit enemies behind cover and does alot of damage. John Sawyer got a boomerang that can go through enemies and comes back so you can hit them twice but it’s damage is lower. You will find alot of different weapons with limited ammo in the game though such as machine guns, rocket launchers and melee weapons. Each Area which is controlled by a different gang has 5 different levels where you have to fight a boss at the end of the level. There is a good enemy variety and each boss is very unique with different arenas and a couple of different attack patterns depending on how much HP the boss has lost already. Every level has a couple of checkpoints where you will get all your HP back and where you will respawn if you die. (You can also find medkits and enemies will drop medkits too.) You have infinite lives which is not a bad thing because later on things can get pretty challenging. If you think the game is still too easy you can change the difficulty. The only difference though afaik is that instead of 5 HP you will have less HP depending on the difficulty. Besides that you have some side opjectives in every level which are all the same. Get a certain number of enemy kills, collect three stashes and complete the level without dying once. So there’s still some replay value for people that want to get everything or want a extra challenge.

    Verdict: Overall this is a great game. Especially for retro fans or people that like 2D Action, Arcade or Run and Gun games. There’s alot of content for this kind of game and you will notice that the developers put alot of effort into creating the game world with so much details. The only sad thing is that the PC version is a timed exclusive for the Epic Game Store at the moment and is not available on Steam or GoG. I hope it will get a proper Arcade mode in the future with limited lives and a score system because that was the trademark of old Arcade games.    … Full Review »
  2. Gordon_S
    May 15, 2020
    8
    Excellent pixel art and charming atmosphere bringing back the best of the 90's feel.
  3. Aivou
    May 15, 2020
    10
    Fantastic game, from start to finish. The music, sound effects, gameplay and visuals all get top marks. It can sure be a bit challenging atFantastic game, from start to finish. The music, sound effects, gameplay and visuals all get top marks. It can sure be a bit challenging at times, but that just makes it all the more awarding when you finally beat it.… Full Review »
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