As I mentioned in my review of the latest film in the franchise, The Predator, I am a fan of the original Predator films, particularly the first (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, originally released in Sweden as Rovdjuret). It remains a highly enjoyable action film, packed with memorable one-liners and intense, sudden action. Consequently, Predator Hunting Grounds immediately piqued my interest, as its gameplay appeared to emulate the atmosphere of the initial movie.
Around 33 years ago, I played an earlier Predator game on my Atari 1040STE, and recall its significant difficulty when confronting the Predator. In Predator Hunting Grounds, players can select to be either the hunter or the hunted. Given the game’s online-only nature, expect a waiting period when opting to play as the Predator.
Each game round offers three choices: playing as a soldier, the Predator, or a random selection. Matches accommodate up to five players, with four assuming the role of soldiers and one as the Predator. When playing as a soldier, players undertake missions and engage NPCs, consistent with standard gameplay. The arrival of the Predator significantly increases the challenge. The Predator’s high damage resistance, coupled with the four-versus-one dynamic, makes it difficult to eliminate the Predator before unlocking weapon upgrades.
During my playtime, the wait time to play as a soldier averaged around 50 seconds, whereas playing as the Predator extended to 10-15 minutes. Once in control of the Predator, you have 15 minutes to eliminate the opposing players. Distinguishing between player-controlled characters and NPCs can be difficult, necessitating the elimination of all moving targets. The game features brutal and visceral violence; echoing the films, players can extract the skulls and spines of their victims as trophies.
Control schemes differ significantly between the Predator and soldier roles. The Predator can utilize the treetops for movement, activate cloaking, and execute long-distance leaps. The developers’ attention to detail regarding the source material is evident in these mechanics. Playing as a soldier presents a more conventional FPS experience, though one can utilize mud to temporarily obscure themselves from the Predator’s vision. Consistent with other titles in the genre, Predator Hunting Grounds provides extensive weapon customization, equipment upgrades, and character appearance options. New items can be unlocked for both soldiers and the Predator.
The music, sound design, and visuals faithfully recreate the atmosphere of the films, enhancing the experience of confronting the Predator. The graphics are well-detailed, though the game suffers from certain visual artifacts. Specifically, textures occasionally load improperly, resulting in a “pop-in” effect that detracts from the experience, which feels dated for a new release. Furthermore, the absence of a dedicated Single player campaign with a narrative is a significant drawback. Like many exclusively online titles, repetitive gameplay with unfamiliar players can become monotonous, reducing the game to a mere distraction akin to Candy Crush, rather than an immersive, story-driven experience.
In conclusion, Predator: Hunting Grounds provides an enjoyable, albeit temporary, diversion. It is a well-crafted and visually appealing title, yet it suffers from certain shortcomings. The inclusion of a single-player mode could have elevated this game significantly. As it stands, it remains a fleetingly engaging experience.
