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
The game combines PvP and PvE elements, casting players as "Hunters" tasked with eliminating monstrous creatures infesting the Louisiana Bayou. Players must track down clues, locate and defeat a target bounty, then extract from the map before being killed by other players also hunting the same bounty. This creates a tense, unpredictable experience, as players must balance dealing with AI threats while also watching for other Hunters. The game encourages careful, tactical play - a single mistake can lead to the permanent loss of a Hunter and their equipment.
The game's gritty, gloomy visuals and haunting audio create a palpable sense of tension and dread. Every action, from footsteps to reloading, generates noise that can alert nearby enemies and other players. Mastering the game's sound cues is crucial, as players can use them to track opponents or avoid detection. Players widely praise the attention to detail in the audio design as one of the game's best features.
Combat is slow-paced and deliberate, with most weapons taking time to reload and fire. A single well-placed shot can be devastating, leading to a high-risk, high-reward dynamic where players must carefully weigh their actions. The game supports various playstyles, from close-quarters shotgun rushes to long-range sniping, but each style comes with its own risks, requiring players to adapt to the situation.
The game offers a wide variety of period-accurate weapons, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, allowing for diverse build combinations. The perk and trait systems further enhance customization, enabling players to tailor Hunters to their preferred playstyle. This flexibility, combined with the permanent nature of character death, encourages experimentation to find the loadout that works best.
The game's tense, unpredictable nature often leads to memorable moments of cooperation or betrayal with random squadmates. The steep learning curve and unforgiving nature foster a sense of camaraderie among experienced players, who are often willing to offer guidance and support to newcomers.