Info about Hunt: Showdown 1896:

Official game description:
Hunt: Showdown 1896 is a new era of the addictively unforgiving extraction shooter. In corrupted backwaters lost to history, fight back alone – or with friends – against timeless evil. Twisted monsters and other ruthless Hunters stand between you and your Bounty. Risk everything as Hunt consumes you.  
Take rich bounties and kill anyone that tries to stop you – and they will try. Race competing Hunters to track down bosses, send them to hell, claim their bounty, and fight your way to extract. If others only slow you down, go alone. If you find strength in numbers, take up to two teammates along.  
Risk everything to unlock dark powers and forbidden wealth. Every bullet counts. Every wound hurts. And every death is permanent. But if you succeed, every victory will be unforgettable.  
Hear footsteps squelch in the mud as you wait with bated breath to strike. The world speaks. Every gunshot is a message; every howling dog a klaxon. Gramophones murmur with the haunting melodies of Port Sulphur Band. Listen, and you might live to die another day.  
Keep striving for more, the world is always growing. Frequent updates challenge you with new Events, expand your arsenal of weapons, introduce new characters, and offer the chance to get ornate rewards. Join the thriving Hunt community, stay informed, and get an edge over the Corruption.

Release date: 27 Aug, 2019

Categories: Extraction Shooter, First-Person Shooter, Competitive Multiplayer, Cooperative Multiplayer, Tactical Combat, Survival, Action Horror, Exploration


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Satisfying gunplay rewards tactical accuracy (weight 0.75): The gunplay is satisfying and unique due to the 1896 era weapons. Headshots are lethal regardless of weapon, promoting tactical play and rewarding accuracy. The game offers a variety of weapons, tools, and consumables, allowing for diverse tactics and gameplay experiences.
- Exceptional sound design enhances immersion (weight 0.53): The sound design is exceptional and crucial for gameplay.  It allows players to pinpoint enemy locations, weapon types, and movements, creating a tense and immersive atmosphere where sound is as important as sight. Recent updates have further improved the audio using CrySpatial, enhancing positional accuracy.
- Core gameplay is fun, original (weight 0.39): The core gameplay was considered quite good, fun, and original. The reviewer values the intense emotions the game evokes, even negative ones. The game has good game mechanics. The game has an original idea.
- Unique atmosphere blends horror, western (weight 0.37): The game features a unique blend of southern gothic, horror, and wild west themes, creating a dense, dark, and cinematic atmosphere. The sound design is exceptional and a central gameplay mechanic. The setting, art direction, and atmosphere are major attractions.
- New map is well-designed (weight 0.37): The new map, Mammon's Gulch, is a triumph and shows continuous improvement in level design, surpassing previous maps. The new map is visually appealing and well-designed, featuring detailed factories, mines, mountains, and multi-story buildings. The maps are complex, detailed, and visually appealing.
- Risk/reward creates exciting tension (weight 0.25): The risk and reward system, with permanent hunter death, adds a deep sense of excitement to each match. The combination of monster hunting and duels with other players creates constant tension. The game receives regular updates with new seasons, events, weapons, hunters, and skins.
- Graphics significantly improved with update (weight 0.24): The graphics are improved, even on minimum settings. The engine update significantly improves graphics with better global illumination, diffused lighting, shadows, and more realistic geometry and water ripple effects. The UI seems more responsive and smooth.
- New content keeps game fresh (weight 0.16): The addition of new content like the crocodile boss, events, and perk reworks keeps the game fresh and interesting. The new map is well-designed with fewer underground boss lairs, multiple entrances, flanking routes, overlooks, and sneaky spots. The developers have put a lot of effort into updating the game and adding detail to the maps.
- Developers responsive to community feedback (weight 0.16): The developers are responsive to player criticisms and are actively releasing fixes. The development team cares for its community and tries to deliver on their feedback. Crytek's attention to detail is evident throughout the game. Frequent updates, new content, and community events show that Crytek genuinely cares about player feedback.
- Enjoyable atmosphere and welcoming community (weight 0.11): The atmosphere, including skins, music, and story, is enjoyable. The game's aesthetic is a major draw for veteran players. The game has a positive and welcoming community.
- Performance and stability significantly improved (weight 0.1): Reconnecting to the game now works reliably and quickly. Many of the crashes, stutters etc. reported by players appear to be fixed. The game has improved significantly in performance since its early access days, with increased online player counts.
- Improved UI with easier navigation (weight 0.07): Multiple shortcuts in the new UI make navigation easier and faster. The new UI, though initially difficult, becomes enjoyable over time with customizable layouts via simple key combinations. The new user interface is much better than the old one after some improvements.
- Game actively supported with updates (weight 0.07): The game is still being supported with updates. The game's reasonable system has kept the community happy for years. Regular updates are released by the developers, usually at the end of events.
- Beautiful graphics, pleasant community (weight 0.06): The game is graphically one of the most beautiful multiplayer shooters on the market. Very crisp animations and weapon design. The game features a pleasant community, with opportunities for good matches with random players on both Russian and European servers.

Common complaints:
- New UI is a downgrade (weight 0.4): The new UI is widely disliked, with many reviewers describing it as a downgrade and a step back in usability. It is often criticized for being console-oriented, cluttered, and inconvenient, especially for PC players. The UI's poor design and lack of user-friendliness detract from the overall player experience.
- Unbalanced matchmaking (weight 0.26): Matchmaking is often unbalanced, pitting new players against experienced veterans or cheaters. This leads to frustrating and unfair matches, especially for solo players. The ranking system is also criticized for being inconsistent and easily manipulated, further exacerbating the matchmaking issues.
- Frequent server disconnections (weight 0.24): The game experiences frequent freezes, crashes, and map bugs, disrupting gameplay and requiring restarts. The new map, in particular, suffers from optimization issues and clipping problems. These technical issues detract from the overall user experience and make the game less enjoyable. The game suffers from frequent server disconnections, lag, and packet loss, disrupting the gameplay experience.
- Too many unnecessary menus (weight 0.21): The game has too many unnecessary menus and submenus, making navigation cumbersome and time-consuming. Important information is often hidden, and the UI is inconsistent, requiring players to use both mouse and keyboard for simple tasks. These issues contribute to a frustrating and inefficient user experience.
- Lacking map variety (weight 0.2): The game suffers from a lack of map variety, with updates often removing maps or forcing players to play on the same map repeatedly. This leads to repetitive gameplay and a sense of monotony. Additionally, some reviewers feel that recent updates have damaged the game's foundation and made it less enjoyable.
- Hit registration, ping issues (weight 0.18): The game suffers from hit registration issues, high ping, and desynchronization, leading to unfair deaths and frustrating combat experiences. The netcode is considered poor, and the game often favors players with high ping, creating an uneven playing field. These issues contribute to a sense of randomness and lack of control in gunfights.
- Frequent server disconnections (weight 0.16): The game suffers from frequent server disconnections, lag, and packet loss, disrupting the gameplay experience. Reconnecting to matches can be difficult or impossible, leading to lost progress and frustration. These server issues are a persistent problem that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Lost lore, generic experience (weight 0.15): The game has lost lore and unique elements, shifting towards a more casual, generic experience. The developers are perceived to be prioritizing monetization and attracting new players over maintaining the original vision and addressing community concerns. This has led to a sense of disappointment and alienation among long-time players.
- Freezes, crashes, map bugs (weight 0.13): The game experiences frequent freezes, crashes, and map bugs, disrupting gameplay and requiring restarts. The new map, in particular, suffers from optimization issues and clipping problems. These technical issues detract from the overall user experience and make the game less enjoyable.
- Poor weapon balance (weight 0.13): The game's balance is worsening towards spam and one-shot weapons. The introduction of 'broken weapons' and traits has diminished the strategic depth of gunfights. The economy is unrewarding, with the best weapons costing a lot compared to mission payouts, making high-end loadouts risky.
- Cumbersome exit process (weight 0.13): Exiting the game requires multiple clicks and confirmations, making the process cumbersome and annoying. The UI is also inconsistent, with different buttons performing different actions across screens. These issues contribute to a frustrating and inefficient user experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Unique PvPvE extraction shooter (weight 0.36): Hunt: Showdown is a unique PvPvE extraction shooter set in a 19th-century horror-western setting. Players compete as bounty hunters to track and eliminate monsters while fighting other players for the same bounty. The core gameplay loop involves finding clues, hunting bosses, and extracting with the bounty, blending strategy, tension, and survival.
- Tactical gameplay rewards strategy (weight 0.36): The game emphasizes tactical and strategic gameplay over run-and-gun approaches. Players must utilize sound awareness, positioning, and team play to succeed. The variety of weapons, tools, and perks allows for diverse playstyles, from stealthy ambushes to aggressive confrontations.
- Deliberate gunplay with historical weapons (weight 0.16): The game features a variety of historical weapons from the late 19th century, each with unique characteristics and handling. Gunplay is deliberate and requires precise aiming due to slow reload times and limited ammunition. Mastering the weapons and understanding their strengths and weaknesses is essential for success.
- Permadeath creates high stakes (weight 0.12): Hunt: Showdown features a permadeath system where players lose their hunter and all their equipment upon death. This mechanic adds significant risk and tension to each match, making every decision critical. Successful missions reward players with experience and money to improve hunters or buy new equipment.
- Hunt bosses, banish, extract bounty (weight 0.11): The core objective involves locating and eliminating a boss monster, then banishing it to claim a bounty. This process alerts other players to your location, creating tense situations and potential ambushes. Successfully extracting with the bounty is the ultimate goal.
- Sound awareness is critical (weight 0.1): Sound is a crucial element in Hunt: Showdown, as almost every action creates noise that can be heard by other players. Players must be mindful of their surroundings and use sound to their advantage to track enemies and avoid detection. The environment also plays a significant role, with crows, dogs, and other elements alerting players to nearby activity.
- Supports solo and team play (weight 0.08): Hunt: Showdown supports solo, duo, and trio play, each offering a different experience. Teamwork is crucial for success, but solo players have unique advantages. The game also features different game modes, including Bounty Hunt and Soul Survivor.
- Maps offer varied gameplay (weight 0.07): The game features multiple maps with unique layouts and environments. The new map introduces verticality and complex compounds, offering new gameplay possibilities. However, some reviewers feel the new map is too large and cluttered, leading to camping and traversal issues.
- Bullet drop impacts long-range combat (weight 0.06): The addition of bullet drop mechanics has changed long-range play, requiring players to adjust their aim. However, some reviewers feel the impact is minimal, only affecting long-range engagements used by a small portion of players. Different weapons and ammo types have different bullet drop characteristics.
- Gameplay can be slow-paced (weight 0.05): The core gameplay loop can be slow-paced, with players often hiding and waiting for others. Some reviewers find this frustrating, while others consider it a strategic element. The game rewards patience, perceptiveness, and good risk assessment.
- Multiple game modes available (weight 0.04): The game features two regular game modes: Bounty Hunt and Soul Survivor, plus limited-time events. Bounty Hunt is the main game mode, while Soul Survivor is a solo battle royale mode. These modes offer different experiences and cater to different playstyles.
- Technical issues and balance concerns (weight 0.04): The game has been criticized for issues such as client-side kill resolution, leading to trades and questionable balance decisions. Some reviewers also feel the game encourages camping. These issues can detract from the overall experience.
- Concerns about content and variety (weight 0.03): Some reviewers feel the developers are adding too much content to compensate for a lack of interesting mechanics, resulting in repetitive gameplay. They also express concerns about matchmaking issues and a lack of variety in game modes.

Performance notes:
- Optimization significantly worsened post-update (weight 0.61): Many reviewers reported that the game's optimization has worsened, leading to increased hardware demands and reduced performance.  Players are experiencing lower frame rates and increased resource usage, even on high-end systems, and are often forced to lower graphics settings to achieve playable performance. This is a regression from previous versions of the game.
- Frequent server instability and disconnects (weight 0.16): The game experiences frequent server issues, including disconnects, lag, packet loss, rubberbanding, and crashes. These problems make it difficult to connect to matches, maintain a stable connection during gameplay, and can lead to frustrating experiences. Server instability is a recurring concern for many players.
- Frequent game crashes, especially map (weight 0.15): The game is prone to crashing, often when opening the map, but also during other actions like reloading or banishing bosses. These crashes can lead to loss of progress and frustration for players. The frequency of crashes is a major concern.
- Performance varies by hardware (weight 0.14): The game's performance varies significantly depending on the player's hardware. While some players with mid-range or high-end systems achieve acceptable frame rates, others struggle to maintain stable performance even with powerful PCs. This inconsistency suggests optimization issues that need to be addressed.
- Texture loading and visual fidelity issues (weight 0.12): The game suffers from texture-related problems, including slow loading, blurry visuals, pop-in, and flickering. These issues detract from the visual experience and can make it difficult to identify enemies or navigate the environment. Some textures appear low quality even on high settings.
- Miscellaneous bugs and UI issues (weight 0.05): The game has a number of miscellaneous bugs, including the mouse cursor appearing in-game, UI glitches, and other random freezes. These issues, while not always game-breaking, contribute to a sense of instability and lack of polish. The UI is also criticized for being buggy and poorly designed.
- Some report improved stability (weight 0.04): Some reviewers note that the game has become more stable with each update, with improved graphics and sound. However, these positive experiences are not universal, and many players continue to report significant performance and stability issues. This suggests that the improvements are not consistent across all systems or configurations.
- AMD GPUs suffer graphical issues (weight 0.04): Players, especially those with AMD GPUs, are encountering graphical issues such as shadow bugs, screen tearing, and visual artifacts. These problems can significantly impact visibility and make the game unplayable for some users. Driver incompatibility may be a contributing factor.
- Visibility affected by graphics settings (weight 0.03): Some players have to adjust graphics settings to balance stable frame rates with enemy visibility at a distance. There is a clear disparity in visibility between different graphical settings making hiding in bushes and such inconsistent. The game requires average computer hardware.
- Recurring and new bugs persist (weight 0.03): Reviewers report that old bugs are reappearing, and new updates introduce new bugs while failing to fix existing ones. This creates a cycle of persistent issues that negatively impact the player experience. The recurrence of previously resolved problems is particularly frustrating.
- DLSS/FSR effectiveness is inconsistent (weight 0.03): DLSS and FSR can improve performance, especially on older systems, but image quality may be reduced. Some reviewers report that DLSS is not working correctly or that it introduces blurriness without a corresponding performance gain. Performance varies by map even with DLSS enabled.

Recommendations:
- Game's quality is declining (weight 0.93): Many reviewers express that the game's current state is declining due to technical issues, poor UI, and questionable design choices. Some suggest the game is dying or has lost its original charm, while others hold onto hope for future improvements. Some reviewers are review bombing the game due to frustration with the developers.
- Unpopular UI changes frustrate players (weight 0.84): A significant point of contention is the new UI, with many reviewers finding it clunky, unintuitive, and not optimized for PC. Some suggest reverting to the old UI or providing an option to switch between the two. Some reviewers are willing to overlook the UI issues due to the game's other strengths.
- Developers' priorities are questioned (weight 0.82): Many reviewers express concern about the developers' direction, accusing them of prioritizing profits over gameplay and not listening to the community. Some suggest the developers should focus on fixing existing issues rather than adding new content. Some reviewers express gratitude to the developers for their efforts.
- Game is unique and enjoyable (weight 0.81): Despite the issues, many reviewers still find the game enjoyable and unique, especially compared to other shooters. They praise its atmosphere, gunplay, and strategic depth. Some reviewers consider it one of the best extraction shooters available.
- Try the game on sale (weight 0.75): Many reviewers suggest waiting for sales or free weekends to try the game, especially for new players. Some reviewers do not recommend buying the game at full price due to its issues. Some reviewers recommend upgrading PCs to play the game.
- Tactical, challenging, and unique experience (weight 0.22): The game is recommended for players who enjoy tactical gameplay, intense gunfights, and a challenging experience. It is also recommended for fans of Westerns, horror, and unique settings. The game is not for everyone, and may not be suitable for players who lack emotional resilience.
- Ignore review bombing (weight 0.16): Many reviewers give the game high ratings and recommend it, despite its flaws. Some reviewers believe that the recent negative reviews are review bombing and don't reflect the true quality of the game. Some reviewers encourage new players to give the game a chance despite the review bombing.
- Try the game and see (weight 0.13): The reviewer recommends watching videos of the game and trying it out if the vibe is appealing. The reviewer recommends utilizing Steam's 2-hour refund window to see if the game clicks with you. The reviewer hopes the developers fix the menu UI.
- Play with friends (weight 0.04): Playing with friends is highly recommended to enhance the experience through communication, coordination, and shared enjoyment. Some reviewers suggest avoiding random lobbies due to their poor quality. Playing solo is possible but challenging for new players.
- Accept death and learn (weight 0.04): New players should accept death as a learning experience to avoid frustration and fully enjoy the game. They should focus on surviving and extracting rather than immediately trying to kill enemies or grab the bounty. The game does not forgive mistakes.
- Wait for improvements (weight 0.03): Players unwilling to adapt to the new UI should wait for potential improvements or changes. Players with older or weaker graphics cards should wait until performance issues are resolved. The update shows promise but needs further refinement and should have spent more time in development.
- Learn the game's mechanics (weight 0.03): New players should not approach the game like traditional FPS titles. The reviewer recommends practicing with melee weapons to learn movement and positioning. Looking up video guides for tips on maps, weapons, enemies, and bounty targets is recommended to ease the learning curve.
- Ignore the community's hate (weight 0.02): The community is generally unreceptive due to the game's core principles. The reviewer recommends focusing on the broad player base and not trying to reach a wide audience via flashy gameplay. New players should ignore the hate, as the game is still a blast.
- Give the game a fresh try (weight 0.01): Encourages veterans who dropped the game to give it a fresh try, as lots of things have changed over the last few months. New players may find it difficult to adapt to the changed economy and balance. The game has the potential to be as good as it once was.

Other player notes:
- Dedicated player base despite flaws (weight 0.18): Many reviewers have played the game for hundreds or thousands of hours, showcasing dedication despite flaws. Some have purchased DLCs and gifted the game to friends, indicating a strong attachment and belief in its potential, while others are taking breaks or reducing playtime due to recent issues.
- Community feedback is inconsistently addressed (weight 0.16): The developers are generally communicative and listen to community feedback, but some feel they prioritize certain voices (streamers) over the wider player base. There are also concerns that the developers are focusing too much on microtransactions and appealing to a broader audience, potentially sacrificing the game's original vision and unique identity.
- Bug-ridden updates frustrate players (weight 0.15): The game receives frequent updates and has active developers, but these updates often introduce new bugs or fail to address long-standing issues. Some players feel the developers are prioritizing new content and monetization over fixing core problems, leading to a cycle of broken and then slowly fixed features.
- Review bombing concerns (weight 0.12): Some reviewers express concern about review bombing, particularly in response to recent updates. They believe that negative reviews may not accurately reflect the game's overall quality and fun, and that they could deter potential new players.
- Cosmetic monetization, but shifting focus (weight 0.07): The game's monetization is primarily cosmetic, with DLCs and skins that don't offer gameplay advantages. However, some reviewers feel the focus has shifted towards pushing new skins and battle passes, and that the introduction of skin rarity and the removal of ways to earn premium currency incentivize purchases.
- Unique blend of genres/setting (weight 0.07): The game features a unique blend of horror, Western, stealth, PvP, and PvE elements, set in a dark and atmospheric late 19th-century Louisiana or Colorado. This distinctive setting and combination of genres contribute significantly to the game's appeal and tension.
- Engine update: mixed reception (weight 0.07): The game recently underwent a major engine update and received a new map, but opinions are divided on the update's success. Some appreciate the effort to improve the game, while others feel the update was rushed, didn't bring significant improvements, or even negatively impacted the game's quality and player count.
- Steep learning curve for newcomers (weight 0.03): The game has a high learning curve, and new players may find it challenging to get into. Reviewers recommend seeking help from the community, watching tutorials, and experimenting with different weapons and strategies to overcome the initial difficulties.
- Unique, grounded weapon/cosmetic design (weight 0.02): The game features a variety of old and imperfect weaponry, which adds to its unique charm and grounded atmosphere. The cosmetics are well-done and avoid the over-the-top styles seen in other games, maintaining a consistent aesthetic.

Emotions:
No emotions}