Hunt: Showdown

Reading the recent reviews of the game I feel that I must also add mine, just to contradict what I read from certain people.
I understand that there are players who spent thousands of hours playing Hunt and are now frustrated with some of the current features for the sake of whoever please.. This game is a bombshell compared to the trash that is currently mainstream. Absolutely unique mechanics, game-cycle, atmosphere, outstanding gunfights visuals and sounds. I accept that maybe it was different years earlier (not necessary better, but for some people subjectively), but right now -as a new player I can tell you- It is an absolutely worth to buy game and I urge you if you have the slightest interest, just try it for yourself and do not give into the red-eyed hate-reviews towards the dev's being lazy (not true) or whatever. What kills a game is the impulsive negative comments that would drive newcomers away from the game without even trying.
This is a 100% worthy game.

Once it gets its hook in you, it's hard to pull away. Huge learning curve, but just know some days the hunt taketh, and others the hunt giveth. Even after 1000+ hours, you're still gonna die alot.

Once, this was one of the best games I ever played, with a reaally big potential. Now, it's just a shadow of it once was and could be. The exactly image of a Winning Game with waaaay too BAD and NEGLIGENT Devs who takes waaay too long to solve any problem/bug, if you are lucky that they ever decide to fix it, just like this concertina bug that could damage you through walls and was around since the game launch. They just decided to fix it now, 5 or 6 years later. Be aware, if you are starting now and expect anything to really be improved or fixed, well, you either need to be really patient (and lucky) or forget it and just accept.
I really enjoyed it while I could, but negligence, bad decision after another bad decision and the path they were taking made me leave this game. Like many other players. Such a shame.
P.S.:Only rating it positive for visibility, but as you could read, I dont really recommend this game anymore, unless you are ok with a bad team of devs who only thinks about making money with new skins and forget to fix the game.

Before HuntShowdown, I had friends, a stable relationship, and dreams. Now I spend my nights crawling through a sweaty swamp with 3 bullets, 2 teammates, and the constant fear that a raccoon sized mosquito is going to suck my soul out through my butt....maybe?
This game is basically a Wild West fever dream where you and your buddy sneak through bayous full of demonic village dwellers while trying not to scream like a goat every time something goes squelch behind you. Every match feels like a horror movie directed by Quentin Tarantino after six shots of moonshine. This game throws you into a sweaty Louisiana swamp with a rusty gun, a sexy hat, and a dream to kill demon goats ...probably, banish fire touting BDSM zombies, and get out alive while a trio of trenchcoat wearing sociopaths try to clap your cheeks from a bush 400 yards away.
You ever get sniped in the face by a guy hiding in a bush for 20 minutes while you were just trying to extract with your bounty like a good little hunter, you will. That’s the Hunt experience, baby. It’s the only game where I’ve celebrated killing someone by screaming, “Suck my sparks, you camping swamp goblin!” while dancing in the middle of a cornfield only to be immediately third partied by someone named "LilToeTickler420."
The sound design? Immaculate. I once tracked a guy for ten minutes just based on the wet squish of his boots. The atmosphere? Oppressive in a sexy way. Like it’s flirting with your anxiety. Honestly, Hunt makes me feel things my therapist isn’t ready to hear.
And The tension? Absolutely erotic. I haven’t clenched this hard since prom night. The sound of glass breaking or a crow flapping its judgmental wings has made me reflexively squeeze my mouse so hard I accidentally turned it off. Every match feels like a chaotic three-way between Deliverance, Supernatural, and Duck Dynasty After Dark. One minute you’re sneaking through reeds like a stealthy little swamp daddy, and the next your teammate sets the barn on fire, screams “I panicked!” and now there’s a meathead chasing you with a hook. That big bastard is either trying to kill me or seduce me and I’m honestly not sure which one I want.
Would I recommend this game? Absolutely. Just be prepared to lose your mind, your dignity, and any semblance of trust in humanity. Oh, and your pants because if you’re not clenching your cheeks the whole time, you’re doing it wrong. Hunt is not just a gameit’s a lifestyle. A sweaty, anxiety ridden, slightly arousing lifestyle. It teaches you trust, betrayal, and how to scream “I’m bleeding out of every hole!” without shame.
12/10. The swamp is wet and so am I.

GOAT of extraction shooters. Atmosphere 5/5, Soundtrack 5/5, Immersion 5/5, Gameplay 5/5.
Only downside: you’ll run into the occasional cheater or smurf or crash in midgame sometimes, otherwise perfection.

Context: 40+ years old, casual solo player, have a family, want competitive but not hardcore play.
I'm having a lot of fun playing this game. Not sure about the issues people say, I read that you cannot play this game solo which I do, and a lot of other things. I didn't buy this game because of that reviews, but I bought it on steam sale and I'm having a lot of fun. Of couse, I won't be a six start player (the best rank you can get), of course this game with friends is better (like most of the games out there), but this game is super funny and nothing like I played before.
I wanted some competitive, but I'm old and casual enough to not enjoy games like CS2 where any teenager is going to kick my ass, but here? You can outsmart a lot of plays and players, and I'm failing at it but having fun because I can learn from my mistakes so everyday I play a bit better. No insane aim, just learn from playing and outsmarting.
One step at a time, but this game is so much fun. Don't let other review discourage you if you want to try, for me it's super funny and I'll play it much more.
For the record, I bought it with some DLCs because I liked the Hunters, but they are cosmetic, no advantage at all while playing the game, so do it if you want the looks, because they don't make any difference and you can purchase skins with in game currency and of course with real life currency at any time
But, it must be said, be ready for a terrible UX in the menu. You get used to it, but makes you wonder how someone can make that.... it's just counter intuitive in some places

You're going to die... A lot. Be okay with it.
1. Find your own sensitivity level. Sounds basic, but with 7 different sliders it makes a huge difference. Don't max everything out.
2. Always keep moving. Even if looting or holding a position, always move, wiggle, spin, jump. Head shots instantly kill no matter what gun is used. Again a basic one, but I see a lot of passive scared little players that can't grasp this one basic fact and wonder why they keep dying.
3. The hit box is very precise meaning you can actually send a bullet past someones head, under their armpit and between their legs without getting that sweet, sweet hunter kill. You can have the satisfaction of knowing you made them crap themselves, but you'll be dead, so... There's that. Practice landing your shots on the "Shooting Range" found under the Lobby tab. It might help.
4. Never worry about MMR, trust me, you'll have much more fun if you don't think about it.
5. More of a tip than anything, but try to go after players first. There are only 12 players every round. That's 12 individuals in a combination of Solos, Duos and Trios in "Bounty Hunt" (or 12 Solos in "Soul Survivor"), so if you wipe the server, all bosses and mobs are a simple, beautiful walk in the park. However, in Soul Survivor you just win. You don't have to extract in that game mode.
6. If you're a new player and you haven't spent your Blood Bonds, don't buy a skin. Instead spend them on hunter slots, but then again in the end they're your Blood Bonds. You don't have to listen to me, spend them however the hell you wish. Get more Blood Bonds by advancing in events, completing trials, challenges and preforming the dark tribute.
7. If you're having trouble with the audio in the game, try this: Alt-Tab out of the game, go to your PCs audio settings and set your speakers to 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound instead of Stereo. Then play the game. It worked for me. Oh and I shouldn't have to say this, wear headphones.
8. Be ballsy and land your shots. All weapons are good in the right hands. Find the ones that fit you the best.
9. All weapons, tools and consumables are unlocked through progression and using everything in matches. There's no OP weapons in the game, this game is a pure skill based game... With maybe a tiny hint of luck.
10. Try to memorize the maps. This just comes with time, but you can actively get a firm grasp of your surroundings if you study the maps in the Trials found under the Lobby tab. You can freely explore these 3 massive maps without worrying abound being hunted.
11. Don't worry about dying. It's all part of the game. If a character you purchased gets killed, you can find it in the Recruitment tab under Legendary Hunters. Regular recruits are lost for good, but they're cheep so...
12. The majority of the Hunt Showdown community is actually really chill. Don't be afraid to talk, ask questions, get some tips. It's actually possible to meet some good folks in the bayou. Even if you're all gunning for some blood.
There's more, but this is already dragging on too long. It's a good game, you s