Hunt: Showdown 1896’s Mammon’s Gulch map is a knotted mass of horrors, in a good way

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As a seasoned gamer with over 350 hours under my belt in Hunt: Showdown, I’ve seen it all – from the swampy bayous to the eerie darkness of Boneyard. But when Crytek announced Hunt: Showdown 1896 and the addition of Mammon’s Gulch, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement that rivaled my first ever match in this game!

As a gamer, I’ve got some exciting news to share about Hunt: Showdown! On August 15, 2024, we’re in for a game-changing update. Not only will the game be renamed Hunt: Showdown 1896, but it’s packed with improvements. Recently, I had the privilege of testing this update in a test environment, and let me tell you, it was a blast!

Mammon’s Gulch stands out for numerous reasons, but perhaps the most striking is its unique setting. Instead of the familiar dusty and swampy bayou, players are transported to the rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where there’s a greater sense of height and elevation between structures.

A suitable way to convey this verticality could be: Visualize Kingsnake Mine in DeSalle as your reference, then envision its characteristics on a larger scale. Rivers meander through canyons, the mine’s access routes climb as zigzagging paths, while tunnels beneath the mountain’s twin peaks curve and link several key facilities to the map’s center.

Although these locations – like a lumberyard, railway, or factory – share some similarities, they each possess unique characteristics that give them a distinct feel. For instance, the lumberyard is surrounded by rocky heights and contains multiple structures within its boundaries, plus a log flume. On the other hand, the railway zone stands out with its central turntable and yard, differing from Lawson Station’s straightforward layout.

Next up are some fresh types of settings, such as an oil site and the previously mentioned mines. The oil site, in particular, catches the eye with its wooden drilling towers and patches of dark oil spills marking the ground. I’m fairly confident that it was here where I encountered the ominous new adversary known as Hellborn, the Wild Target.

Initially, I was quietly going about my business and searching for hints, when suddenly, a distressing shriek echoed nearby. To add some variety to the gameplay experience as designed by Crytek, you won’t be gathering clues to locate the Hellborn, but instead should pay close attention while in Dark Sight mode. Thus, I began sneaking around to figure out where the noise was originating from.

As soon as you spot the Hellborn, you’ll understand the nature of the battle that lies ahead. It’s as if an enraged Immolator on steroids, angrier than you could possibly imagine. I fired a single shot and immediately, it started hurling fireballs at me. To escape the surrounding inferno, I had to dash into a nearby structure and keep firing at the boss until it was finally defeated.

For the entire duration, it roared and spewed flames. Essentially, it functioned like a large beacon signaling my location to others on the map. The advantage is that it doesn’t have a banishment period, so send it back to the underworld, collect your reward, and use your burn token, then proceed.

It’s true that it can be challenging to fully grasp the dynamics of a new Hunt map within a limited preview period, as those who have played the game for years are aware. It often requires multiple hours to familiarize oneself with the locations of the compounds, and even more time to develop effective strategies. Nevertheless, Mammon’s Gulch seems promising, and I can’t wait to team up with my friends and immerse myself in the Scorched Earth event once the update is live.

Beyond enhancing map layouts and adversary actions, Hunt: Showdown 1896 receives numerous significant upgrades that significantly enhance the gameplay experience. The graphics have been noticeably improved, a remarkable feat given the current (now older) version’s already impressive visuals. Furthermore, Crytek has mentioned advancements in their CrySpatial ecosystems, yet the audio design within the game was exceptional to begin with, so these improvements merely add to its appeal.

Although I’ve spent quite a bit of time with Hunt: Showdown’s existing UI, the new design hasn’t caught my attention just yet. It seems to follow the contemporary gaming tile layout found in many games today, which might make it simpler for console navigation. Nevertheless, whether or not it’s an enhancement is something I’ll need to adapt to as I retrain my muscle memory.

As a seasoned gamer, I’m thrilled to revisit Hunt: Showdown 1896, a testament to Crytek’s daring evolution after six years on the scene. Despite clocking in at 350 hours, the allure of mastering Mammon’s Gulch, outsmarting the elusive Hellborn Wild Target, and locking horns with top-tier players from the OCE server remains irresistible. This game continues to offer fresh challenges that keep me coming back for more!

Having played numerous games throughout my gaming journey, I can confidently say that the upcoming title, Hunt: Showdown 1896, is one game I am genuinely excited about. With a release date set for August 15, 2024, on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, this game promises an immersive experience that I can’t wait to explore. As someone who appreciates a good blend of action, adventure, and strategy, the developer-provided hands-on test environment has only fueled my anticipation for Hunt: Showdown 1896. The opportunity to delve into this dark and mysterious world set in 1896 is not one I intend to miss!

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2024-08-15 11:27