Hut: Showdown 1896 - my first impression after patch
Howdy Hunters,
Almost a month ago, a new patch arrived for Hunt: Showdown, and I've had enough time to test it and form my own opinions on the new map, weapons, and other changes. Over the past few weeks, I've seen a lot of negative reviews—just check the Steam page, where most reviews are critical. People are complaining about many issues: poor optimization, a clunky interface, bugs, and boring matches with too much running around. I agree the game has some problems, but I'll try to remain objective in this article and give an honest assessment of Hunt: Showdown in its current state.
I'll tell you right away, I'm not here to completely bash the game. Despite the sea of negativity, there are positives, and as a player who genuinely enjoys Hunt, I aim to highlight those as well. My current rating for the game is around three stars—so this isn't coming from a professional viewpoint, just a fan who's passionate about this genre. Let’s get into it!
Interface
One of the biggest issues players have faced is the new console-style interface. The old one was simple and easy to navigate. When I first downloaded Hunt, the interface was minimalistic, and I immediately understood how to gear up my hunter, start playing, or check my stats. After the update, I struggled to find my KDA, and I even thought it had been removed until I saw it hidden in a stream. For console players, this interface might feel slick, but for PC users, it wasn't easy to get used to at first.
Hunt Showdown 1896 - How new interface looks like.
That said, after a few days, I adjusted. I now have several loadouts saved for my hunters, and it’s super convenient to press just two buttons and be fully equipped. So, while the interface was initially frustrating, I think it’s mostly a matter of habit. Plus, Crytek has already promised to make further improvements, so I’m excited to see what changes are coming. For now, I’d rate the interface as: OK.
Bugs and Optimization
Now we get to a significant issue: bugs and performance problems. From the start, I experienced random crashes, freezes when opening the map or using Dark Vision, and even black screens at the start of matches. Thankfully, most of these issues were fixable with a quick restart or a trip to Task Manager, but I think we can all agree that this isn't what you'd expect after waiting nearly a year for an update. Some players reported even worse bugs that made the game unplayable for them.
At this point, I've managed to work around most of these issues. The only lingering annoyance is a strange bug where double-clicking W or Shift causes my hunter to run without reason, which can mess up stealth or shooting moments. On the whole, though, I’d rate the bugs and optimization as: Unsatisfactory.
When Crytek announced the new map, they claimed it would be a masterpiece of balance and optimization. That was a good joke. I don’t have a top-tier PC, but I can play on medium to low settings with a consistent 90-120 FPS. For me, the game is fine—no noticeable lag or freezes. But other players have seen their FPS drop to 30 or lower on the new map, even when they had 60+ on the old ones. AMD card users, in particular, were hit hard, with some unable to play at all. This issue flooded Steam with negative reviews, and we still haven’t gotten a proper optimization patch. You can tweak custom settings to improve things, but overall, optimization gets an Unsatisfactory rating.
New Colorado Map
Let’s talk about something positive. Actually, "positive" is an understatement—the new Colorado map is awesome! We’ve left the swamps behind and are now hunting in forests and fields. I love the new setting because the landscape reminds me of the woods in my own country, giving me a warm and familiar feeling. The water, grass, trees, and overall landscape are beautifully crafted. No complaints here.
Hunt Showdown 1896 - General map and Boss spawning points.
The new map features interesting buildings with multiple entrances—more than just two or three—and the gameplay has become more dynamic. Most boss locations now have multiple floors, including basements, making it essential to stay alert after killing the boss. Vertical gameplay is a fresh addition, offering tons of strategies. The underground mines are also a highlight. Not only do they provide quick travel across the map, but they also create tense and unforgettable firefights.
Hunt Showdown 1896 - Burned city.
In terms of design, this map is: Perfect.
New Boss: The Hellborn
Crytek has introduced another mini-boss, much like Rotjaw, but with a crucial difference. While Rotjaw had a great design and some scary attacks, the fight itself was boring and tedious, with a long vanishing time and a tiny reward. Tracking him down was also a hassle since Dark Vision didn’t help much.
Hellborn presentation
In contrast, the Inferno is a brilliant addition. It’s easy to locate using Dark Vision and sound, and its moveset is exciting and dangerous. Fireballs, self-explosions, quick movements, and aggressive behavior make this boss both fun to fight and spectacular to watch, especially at night when the map lights up in flames. There’s no vanishing time, so the pace of gameplay isn’t slowed down.
My verdict for the new boss: Perfect.
New Weapon: 1865 Carbine
Initially, I wasn’t impressed with the 1865 Carbine. It has a long reload time (1.8 seconds) and a relatively slow bullet. Right now, it only comes with standard and FMJ ammo. At first, I struggled to figure out its use, but eventually, I realized it's best for medium or close-range combat with FMJ rounds.
Hunt Showdown 1896 - brand new weapon with medium bullet.
With 10 rounds in the magazine and 20 spares, it deals over 140 damage on a direct hit to the upper body. This means you can one-shot an injured enemy. It’s powerful—only Sparks deals more damage—and it feels like it can shoot through walls (though that might just be me). Overall, I highly recommend this gun. My rating: Solid Weapon.
Hunt Showdown 1896 - 1865 Carabine stats.
Battle Pass
This is my first Hunt Battle Pass, so I can’t compare it to previous ones. You get three hunter skins, several weapon and equipment skins, and different ammo types. I think it’s decent, considering I’m almost at level 50 after two weeks. The tasks are simple enough to complete in a single session, especially with a team. So, I’d rate the Battle Pass as: Good but nothing special.
Hunt Showdown 1896 battle pass review
Meta
Last season, everyone was using long bullets, with Lebel and Mosin-Nagant dominating. This season, I’ve noticed more players using small and medium bullets. They have faster projectiles and can still kill in two shots. My personal favorites are the 1865 Carbine, Winfield Centennial, and Caldwell Marathon. With the introduction of mines and tighter spaces, shotguns have made a comeback, and I highly recommend giving them a try.
Hunt Showdown 1896 - One of the best guns with huge amount of variants Memento Mori (Centennial)
Gameplay
I’ve heard top streamers complaining that the game isn’t what it used to be, with more players hiding in bushes or playing overly cautious. But come on—why would I rush into a building with a rifle against a top player with a shotgun? I’d much rather find a good position and pick them off from a distance.
Hunt Showdown 1896 - Are you ready to join a new hunt?
Hunt is unique because it allows for different playstyles. Whether you prefer camping, moving cautiously, rushing, or sniping, the game accommodates everyone. The variety of tactics is what keeps me hooked. On the new map, you can play however you want, but always remember—you’re a hunter, and you should value your life.
Right now, I’d rate the gameplay as: Good to Perfect.
Final Thoughts
So, where does Hunt: Showdown stand in 2024? If you can overlook the temporary bugs and poor optimization—which will hopefully be fixed soon—you’ll have a great experience. Developers are aware of these issues and are working on improvements. Plus, we have new maps, graphics updates, and vertical gameplay to look forward to. More guns and equipment are likely on the way in the next six months.
Overall, I’d give the game a solid 7.5/10. Stay tuned for more reviews from Radiant Team on Hunt: Showdown and other fantastic games and movies!
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