Hunt: Showdown 1896

About Hunt: Showdown 1896

Hunt: Showdown 1896 dropped on PC and consoles in late August 2019 from developer Crytek Frankfurt. This title drops players into the Louisiana Bayou of 1896 to hunt down corrupted monsters alongside or against other hunters. It blends shooter mechanics with simulator elements to create a tense atmosphere where survival matters more than reflexes. You can tackle missions solo or team up with two others in co-op. The game launched on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC before arriving on next-gen consoles like PS5 and Series X|S. This is not a standard arena shooter but rather a tactical extraction experience set in a dark period setting where every encounter feels dangerous and final.

Gameplay

You enter the map to find a specific bounty marked by clues scattered across the bayou. Once you locate the target, usually a massive monster, you must kill it without making too much noise. Your rifle shots can be heard miles away, alerting rival teams who want your prize. After the hunt, you extract with the bounty while other players try to ambush you. The gunplay feels heavy and deliberate since reloading takes time and ammo is scarce. You spend minutes scanning for sounds, checking corners, and managing limited health kits. Progression happens through your Bloodline where you earn gold and unlock new gear or permanent perks. A typical session ends either with a payout or a quick death that sends you back to the lobby empty-handed.

What Players Think

Critics and players have mixed feelings about the chaos of this experience. The IGDB community gave it a 74.7 out of 100 based on 152 ratings, which suggests a solid but flawed game. Most users describe the vibe as creepy with zero votes for any other mood. Players invest significant time before giving up, though average playtime data shows many sessions end early due to high stakes. Only 36 achievements exist in the game, and the community has unlocked them at an average rate of just 24%. The rarest achievement, Throw Hammer or Run, sits at a paltry 1.90% unlock rate, indicating extreme difficulty for specific tasks. This low completion rate highlights how punishing the learning curve remains for new players entering the bayou.

PlayPile's Take

This title works best if you enjoy high-stakes tension over fast-paced action. You will find it worth the $11.99 price point during a sale at stores like Humble Store. The low achievement unlock rates prove that patience is required to see all content. Do not expect a polished tutorial since the game throws you into deep water immediately. If you want a shooter where sound design matters more than aim, this fits the bill. If you get frustrated by losing progress after one mistake, look elsewhere. The Bloodline system offers long-term goals for those willing to grind through repetitive but intense matches.

Storyline

The year is 1896, and you are a Hunter tasked with eliminating the savage, nightmarish monsters that have infested the Louisiana Bayou. Play alone or in teams of two or three, as you search for clues to help you track your target and compete against other Hunters who are after the same reward. Kill and banish your target, collect the bounty, and then get ready for the showdown; once the bounty is in your hands every other Hunter on the map will be after your prize. Show no mercy as you fight through a dark, ruthless world with brutal, period-inspired weapons, as you level up, unlock gear, and collect experience and gold for your Bloodline.