Upon release Huntdown somehow went under our radar. We aren’t really sure how this happened as it’s not exactly a quiet or subtle game. In fact, it’s one of the craziest and most intense experiences we’ve ever played.
The best way to describe Huntdown is that it’s a side
scrolling action mix of Contra, Judge Dredd and The Warriors set on fire and
pushed down a hill in a cyber punk styled shopping trolley. It’s so incredibly
full-on, violent and well realised that it has quickly shot to the top of our
go to games list on the Switch.
The game has players pick from one of three super bounty
hunters before blasting their way through four areas divided up into stages
with a larger than life mob boss at the end of each. At your disposal are an
endlessly diverse amount of weapons ranging from assault rifles, flame throwers
and hockey sticks with new ones being introduced throughout. While using these
tools of destruction to rain down justice on the criminal gangs your chosen hero
will offer up one liners from every 80’s and 90’s action movie ever made and
generally kick arse.
Set pieces are never far away and even when the scripted
moments take a rest your arsenal is more than capable of creating its own. A
particular highlight was when we jumped from a lift, blasted one goon with a
shotgun and turned, kicking another into an explosive barrel which then set of
a chain reaction of carnage.
The sound and look of Huntdown is also exceptional. The
heavy cyber punk influence is consistent and creative throughout and the detail
of the level design in exceptional. If there is one issue it’s that in handheld
mode the game has almost too much going on to see properly which makes things
even more difficult. It’s strange to say but this particular 2D blaster really
should be experienced on the big screen with the sound turned up as loudly as
possible.
Each of the four areas has its own distinct style and
represents a different part of the gang controlled city. This reflects in the
enemies as well with the first gang seeming like your everyday 80’s thugs
before things take a turn towards the influence of The Warriors with hoodlums
in over the top ice hockey gear and motor bikes. The bosses are great as well
with each being larger than life characters that are challenging but not
impossible to overcome.
To increase the scope of Huntdown, an arcade mode was a good
idea. Re-playability, aside from ramping difficulty is a tough thing on such a
linear, traditional, format. You can jump between the different areas to start,
and so the game responsibly recommends finishing the campaign first (as the
methodical reveal of each progressively more ludicrous bounty characters is one
of the joys of Huntdown).
This mode will appeal to those who want to try for the kill
combos and who enjoy the pursuit of high scores, but also just for those who
want to jump back in for a time. You could say there’s a nod at the roguelite
with this mode.
Furthering the commitment to the “olde skool” are the
various gaudy pickups, and that one-life-left thrill. It compliments the main
campaign well, and provides a bit of a legacy for players. Keep it in your
library, you never know when you might want to just jump back in. A solid,
no-frills feature that works.
We’ve been trying to find a criticism of the game and the
truth is there really isn’t one. Ok, it’s not going to last you forever but
there is still a decent chunk of game here and you’ll certainly want to revisit
it. The check point system is good so you are never too frustrated and there
are some limited secrets to find in the form of the hidden brief case
collectables in each level. The cover mechanic also works well and your
character controls like a dream. There really isn’t anything to moan about.
Overall, Huntdown is one of the best action games we’ve
played in years. It’s up there with the very best games in the genre and even
eclipses the excellent Not a Hero. It’s no exaggeration to say that if this had
been released in the 16-bit era we would be heralding it along with Contra and
other classics of the genre. If action is your thing then we cannot recommend
this enough.
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