Recent reviews by 'Key

I really like it

I like it.

I like it.

The game itself is fun, but it's expensive for what is included.
I had a good ~10 hours to get through the game.
The time loop mechanic can get old, and repetitive.
The game implies that it is a lot more dynamic than it is, in reality there is only one solution that works, and the game railroads you in to it. If you follow the main quest it leads you step by step to the correct solution, no brain required at all. The game also isn't dynamic enough to let you win outside of the main quest's method.

The invasions are fun enough, I had issues with latency a lot, and its not fair in any sense of the word.
I've also heard that there are meta guns that are just completely overpowered in invasions. It will just frustrate you when you lose the last 30-40 minutes of progress AGAIN. My advise is to turn off invasions and just enjoy the base game with the AI invader.

At the asking price, there is NO WAY I could recommend this.

This game is great, and I had an excellent time!

I like this game a lot

I can't be arsed to spend literal hours running, grinding and searching for someone to kill me while I'm not paying attention, only to start again from scratch.

It's DayZ but slightly more whimsical. If you're not a fan of the DayZ formula, you probably wont like this either.

Hunt: Showdown is often seen by new players as a PvE game with PvP in it. The common misconception being that most of the challenge comes from the PvE enemies. This is not the case. Hunt: Showdown is a PvP game. The PvE elements are better viewed as obstacles to avoid or overcome.

Your biggest friend and enemy in Hunt is sound. Walking makes sound, attacking makes sound, sticks make sound, bushes make sound, shooting makes A LOT of sound. Everything you hear, can be heard by everyone.
Positional audio in Hunt is excellent, and getting familiar with sounds and their locations can tell you everything from where a person is, to what weapons they have equipped.
You are constantly thinking, "what sound does this make?", or "what is making that sound?"

The biggest issue for this game is the steep learning curve for new players, over time you learn the different sounds that enemies, environments and actions make, and you learn how to deal with the different PvE enemies, you start to pick out sounds and movements that are out of place (and are often players).

It takes time to start feeling like you are competent, but this game is well worth your time.

Queuing with random team mates can be very hit-or-miss. If you are a solo player, without any friends to play with, I recommend getting on the official discord, or a discord of anyone that streams the game. They tend to be very welcoming to new players, and will often be very happy to play with new players and show them the ropes.

Very polished visuals and atmosphere, but the gameplay is lackluster.

Levels are basically the same thing with a very minor "twist" on each level.
After the first level, you've basically mastered it, and then it's rinse and repeat for the remainder.

There are 3 factions with which you can gain rep with in each of the levels. There are some rewards, and special contracts unlocked at specific reps with each faction on the different levels, however the only way to improve your rep with a faction is via RNG contracts, and improving your standing with one reduces your standing with the other 2. Once you have your park stabilised, and essentially solved, it just becomes a massive slog to do rep grinds for each of the 3 factions, with nothing else really happening while you do them. The problem I have with this is that many of the things locked behind these rep grinds can be quite major. For example, to complete the science mission for Level 2, I need to cure a sick dino, but I haven't done enough research to find out what the sickness is. After grinding through all the other levels in the game, rushing research on medicine, turns out it's a medicine you ONLY get by reaching a certain rep level with one of the factions on one of the other levels. Ridiculous.

Management is also lackluster. Dinosaur and guest needs are incredibly easy to manage, and the management tools and UI are horrendous, and split up all over the place. If you are interested in this game for the management aspect, try something else, this will not suffice.

If you are buying this for the "park building" aspect, akin to rollercoaster or zoo tycoons, you will also be disappointed. There are a small number of buildings, and no real way to theme your park well.

The best part of the game is looking at the dinosaurs, but I don't think it's worth the asking price.
I haven't played the DLC's but from what I can tell, they don't really change the gameplay much, so I doubt they will fix any of the problems.

Maybe pick it up on an 80% off sale or something.

Excellent game