Huntdown

 PC
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

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  1. Oshiri_Maeda
    Aug 18, 2021
    6
    Nice run and gun. Not too hard, bosses may even be too easy. Nice, but nothing special either.
  2. Gordon_S
    May 15, 2020
    8
    Excellent pixel art and charming atmosphere bringing back the best of the 90's feel.
  3. 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 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 nextGraphics: 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.    … Expand
  4. 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 at times, but that just makes it all the more awarding when you finally beat it.
  5. CharlyPlayman
    May 21, 2020
    10
    Fantastic game, pure 2D arcade game, similar to the great "Not a Hero" or "Hot Guns", also it remerembed me to the the old "Rolling Thunder".
    PROS: 3 different characters + lots of different bosses + many weapons depending of the phase + funny and easy to play, varied stages and gameplay, smoothing movements + explosions + i like it shows the area as you forward and how it introduces foes    Fantastic game, pure 2D arcade game, similar to the great "Not a Hero" or "Hot Guns", also it remerembed me to the the old "Rolling Thunder".
    PROS: 3 different characters + lots of different bosses + many weapons depending of the phase + funny and easy to play, varied stages and gameplay, smoothing movements + explosions + i like it shows the area as you forward and how it introduces foes (as 90's games), etc
    CONS: nothing, the more i play the more i like it    … Expand
  6. DaemonXHUN
    May 21, 2020
    8
    Huntdown is a fun side-scrolling action game with a 80's retro style and tons of pop-cultural references and one liners and it's well worth playing through.

    Its gameplay is fun and addictive. There are 20 levels in total and each has a boss to defeat at the end. Every single level introduces something new - an interesting set piece, enemies, enviroments, weapons, etc. The game manages    Huntdown is a fun side-scrolling action game with a 80's retro style and tons of pop-cultural references and one liners and it's well worth playing through.

    Its gameplay is fun and addictive. There are 20 levels in total and each has a boss to defeat at the end. Every single level introduces something new - an interesting set piece, enemies, enviroments, weapons, etc. The game manages to stay fresh all the way through its 5,5 hours runtime.

    The bosses feel distinct and unique which is quite an achievement for a game that has so many of them. The difficulty is very finely tuned. The game never feels outright unfair - it's always challenging but fair and it's always possible to progress forward by utilising the required strategies and adapting to the given situations. Also, the difficulty curve is excellent, the game gets harder and harder by every level by just the right amount.

    However, I would still do not really rate this game higher than 8.. Because while I can't think of any wortwhile negatives about it in terms of how it plays, how's the music and atmosphere, etc., I simply feel that the game wasn't fun enough - at least for me - to deseve a 10 out of 10 rating. I had fun with it, it was good and enoyable, but nothing really standout, if that makes sense. That's why my final verdict is an 8 out of 10.    … Expand
  7. pnutxl69
    Mar 11, 2021
    10
    Great game, exactly what was advertised. Really fun combat and platforming. I very much enjoyed the characterizations through in game dialogue and the story.
  8. Denis94
    Jun 9, 2021
    7
    Un juego de tiros en 2D con una dificultad desafiante pero sin que te haga desesperar, tiene unos gráficos bonitos aunque podría mejorar en este aspecto no me quejo, sin embargo algunos niveles se hacen repetitivos y dando quizás demasiada importancia a los jefes finales de la que debería.
  9. SillyTalent
    Dec 29, 2020
    0
    True Cyberpunk style!
    Blood, violence and action!
    This game much better than Cyberpunk 2077 ! ! !
  10. Za_Uvek
    Oct 19, 2021
    8
    No shortage of games that rock the retro aesthetic. But Huntdown pulls it off with incredible style and substance while poking fun at the same time.

    The visuals in this game are outstanding! The background is full of life as you move from level to level. And the character animation flows vibrantly, bringing a lot of originality to each enemy and boss. So much so, that every encounter    No shortage of games that rock the retro aesthetic. But Huntdown pulls it off with incredible style and substance while poking fun at the same time.

    The visuals in this game are outstanding! The background is full of life as you move from level to level. And the character animation flows vibrantly, bringing a lot of originality to each enemy and boss. So much so, that every encounter feels unique due to various attack patterns and comedic banter. Along with all this is the exception music and sounds, all of which feel ripped straight from an 80's sci-fi action movie. Even the cheesy one liners from the main characters fit the bill.

    The 80's feel is no accident of course, as the Huntdown wears a lot of it's influences on it's sleeve. Yet at the same time, maintains it's own identity as the plot is centred around your bounty hunter thrown into a gang riddled sci-fi city. So what we get is something of a mix between the Warriors mashed together with Blade Runner and maybe a sprinkle of Total Recall. It should go without saying, the overall atmosphere creates the perfect setting for a 2D side scrolling shooter. The game-play is a high octane roller coaster, but not too chaotic that it becomes overwhelming. Once pumping through mass amount of enemies in each level, you are met with a boss fight that requires you to learn attack patterns on the fly. It all contains the right balance of challenge and fun, making this a stand out of the genre.

    Everything this title sets out to do, it does brilliantly! Full of humour, personality and solid game-play, this is a must for anyone looking to jump into a new 2D shooter. A lot of fun alone or co-op with a mate.    … Expand
  11. Yoshiro83
    Jun 4, 2021
    9
    Akcja produkcji przenosi gracza w odległą przyszłość, kiedy to świat pogrążył się w chaosie, a władze sprawowały najprzeróżniejszego rodzaju gangi, z którymi nie mogła sobie poradzić policja. W takich realiach na brak dobrze płatnego zajęcia nie mogli narzekać „łowcy nagród”. Wcielamy się tutaj w postać jednego z nich, mając przed sobą dość proste zadanie: wyeliminowanie wyznaczonych celówAkcja produkcji przenosi gracza w odległą przyszłość, kiedy to świat pogrążył się w chaosie, a władze sprawowały najprzeróżniejszego rodzaju gangi, z którymi nie mogła sobie poradzić policja. W takich realiach na brak dobrze płatnego zajęcia nie mogli narzekać „łowcy nagród”. Wcielamy się tutaj w postać jednego z nich, mając przed sobą dość proste zadanie: wyeliminowanie wyznaczonych celów oraz przywrócenie ładu i porządku.
    Fabularnie tytuł nie jest więc nadmiernie porywający, przedstawiona tutaj historia jest dość szczątkowa i niespecjalnie zwraca się na nią uwagę. Nie można jednak tego uznać za wadę. Bądźmy szczerzy, nikt kto decyduje się sięgnąć po tytuł, którego główną wartością jest mocna „pikselowa” akcja (której zdecydowanie tu nie brakuje) nie oczekuje porywającego scenariusza.
    Do dyspozycji gracza twórcy przygotowali trzech różnych łowców nagród. Twardą i nieustępliwą kobietę, która zdecydowanie nie należy do słabszej płci (Anna Conda), leciwego i doświadczonego cyborga (John Sawyer), oraz robota Mow Man. Postacie wyróżniają się wyglądem, bronią podstawową oraz posiadanym uzbrojeniem dodatkowym (bronią miotaną). Teoretycznie bohaterów nie opisują żadne konkretne statystyki, więc nie powinno być pomiędzy nimi wielkich różnic w sile. Sprawdzając jednak kolejne postacie, można przekonać się o tym, że niektórymi z nich o wiele łatwiej jest pokonywać przeciwników (moim subiektywnym zdaniem najlepszy jest Mow Man). Do wyboru mamy również cztery poziomy trudności od „łatwego” po „Badass” (ostatni odblokowuje się po przejściu gry jednokrotnie). Skala dostępnej trudności jest tutaj dobrze zbalansowana. Najniższy poziom to łatwa i przyjemna rozgrywka, „normal” stanowi już pewne wyzwanie i walki z niektórymi bossami mogą wywoływać małą frustrację i chęć pogryzienia pada, najwyższe poziomy to z kolei już zabawa dla prawdziwych hardkorów.
    Tak jak zostało to już wspomniane na samym wstępie mamy tu do czynienia z grą z segmentu run&gun, czyli przemieszczamy się po dwuwymiarowej planszy, eksterminując pojawiających się oponentów za pomocą dość zróżnicowanego oręża. Gracz, zagłębiając się w cybernetyczny świat pełen przemocy, ma okazję przetestować różnego rodzaju broń palną oraz trochę broni białej/obuchowej. Wymiana narzędzia eksterminacji następuje tutaj dość często ze względu na wieczny brak amunicji i niszczenie się przedmiotów. Dzięki temu tytuł jest bardzo dynamiczny i zapewnia sporo frajdy. Głównym celem jest pokonanie czterech różnych gangów. Każdy z nich to kilka plansz, na których końcu czeka boss. W sumie jest 20 etapów, których przejście na poziomie średnim zajmuje około 9-10 godzin (spora część z tego czasu to właśnie walki z bossami). W grze istnieje również tryb kooperacji lokalnej, gdzie gracze mogą się wzajemnie reanimować, co znacząco powinno skrócić czas zabawy.
    Podstawowi oponenci są dość różnicowani, nie stanowią oni jednak większej trudności (przynajmniej na poziomie normal). Należy się po prostu przez nich przebić, aby dotrzeć do prawdziwego wyzwania, jakim jest ich „szef”. Bossowie etapów to już inna para kaloszy i trzeba przygotować się na liczne powtórki (na szczęście nie ma ograniczenia życia). Walki z nimi podzielone są etapy, gdzie prezentują oni zróżnicowane umiejętności. Należy więc po prostu nauczyć się ich zdolności i wyczuć, w którym miejscu planszy ustawić się, aby unikać ich ostrzału. Brzmi to dość prosto, stanowi jednak solidne wyzwanie i momentami potrafi wywołać pewną dawkę frustracji. Sama mechanika zabawy jest dobrze przygotowana i sprawia dużą dawkę „przyjemności”. Do pełni szczęścia brakło mi tutaj jedynie możliwości strzelania w górę lub po skosie, co znacząco ułatwiłoby walkę z niektórymi przeciwnikami. Małym minusem (przynajmniej jak dla mnie) jest również brak możliwości wyboru podczas samej rozgrywki w dowolnym momencie zmiany poziomu trudności. Na całe szczęście można zmieniać postacie (wiąże się to jednak z ewentualnym powtórzeniem danego etapu).
    Jeśli chodzi o same lokacje w Huntdown, to są one przygotowane bardzo dobrze. Nie wiem, czy takie było zamierzenie twórców, ale widząc niektóre miejscówki, mimowolnie nasuwają się skojarzenia z pewnymi klasycznymi grami. Nie brakuje tutaj również całej masy wspomnianych już nawiązań do filmów akcji. Chodzi tutaj zarówno o pewne elementy plansz, ksywki postaci czy niektóre wypowiadane przez nich kwestie (które są jednocześnie podstawą całkiem dobrego humoru). Dla doświadczonego (wiekowo) gracza stanowi to dodatkowy smaczek, kiedy zauważa on pewne filmowe analogie.

    https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/recenzja-gry-huntdown/    … Expand
  12. PewPewKyle
    May 17, 2021
    10
    Overwhelmingly great game! Just played co-op with my brother on hard, awesome challenge. tight controls. Can't believe that all content has same level of greatness throughout all areas. Sick!
  13. HolyFoxx
    Jan 12, 2022
    9
    This game is so great.
    I loves bosses in this game. There are impressive challenges in each boss. It makes game more interesting. Graphic are good for the game. 16 pixels art graphic makes me remember some old shooter game.
  14. bakpak
    Dec 17, 2022
    7
    A very fun modern run and gun game. the levels are short but compact and dense but i wish was more distinct from one another. The enemies and bosses are pretty fun. My main problem is that i wish the challenges were more based on their levels and the reward being a shallow cheat mode is dissapointing, i wished their was a fifth area even if it was shorter and maybe a sandbox mode.

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best PC Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. 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.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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