One Hunter, and up to four more friends disguised as deer, in this thrilling game of hide-and-seek where every move could be the last. Will you blend in with the herd or stand out? Oh Deer...
The game casts players in one of two roles: the hunter or the deer. Up to four players can take on the deer personas, while one player serves as the hunter. Deer must hide and blend in with AI-controlled deer scattered across the map, while the hunter uses sound, gadgets, and skill to locate and eliminate the other players before nightfall.
As a deer, players must constantly manage their hunger meter by eating food throughout the environment. Consuming these items risks alerting the hunter to a deer's location, so players must carefully time their feeding. Deer can also perform a "fart boost" to quickly evade the hunter, adding an element of silliness and unpredictability. The key challenge for deer is successfully disguising themselves among the AI characters to avoid detection.
Players in the hunter role must carefully scan the environment, listen for suspicious movements or sounds, and use their limited number of arrows to take down the deer. The hunter's sanity meter decreases over time, making it increasingly difficult to maintain focus and successfully hunt down the elusive deer.
The gameplay creates a dynamic, back-and-forth interaction between the hunter and the deer. Deer must constantly adapt their hiding and evasion tactics, while the hunter must remain vigilant and adjust their approach to counter the deer's strategies. This tense, unpredictable atmosphere heightens the excitement as each move could prove decisive.
According to user reviews, players have overwhelmingly praised the game's simple yet hilarious premise, which enables memorable moments when played with friends. The satisfying cat-and-mouse dynamic and various shenanigans available have resonated with players who appreciate the game's focus on lighthearted fun and chaos.
While the core gameplay loop has been well-received, some players have suggested potential improvements, such as expanding the player count, introducing more varied mechanics and abilities, balancing certain aspects like trap effectiveness, and addressing technical issues like bugs and optimization.