Hunter: The Reckoning returning, gets first look

It’s been two decades since there was a Hunter: The Reckoning video game, but the series is primed for a 2027 comeback.

Hunter or hunted?

It has been a while since there’s been a Hunter: The Reckoning game, hasn’t it? And by that, we mean a video game, since the tabletop original is apparently still rolling. Set in that title’s World of Darkness universe though, fans had formerly been treated to three video game adaptations. The last of those arrived in 2003, and that was pretty much that for the property.

As you can see though, you can add an ‘until now’ that that statement. Hunter: The Reckoning is indeed back, and set to hail from NACON and Teyon some time next year. With the RoboCop developer behind it, we’re already interested, and today’s first look only has us more pumped to play this first-person action/RPG.

Entitled Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish, the fresh game will send players to the dark underbelly of NYC. Players will once again take on the role of a human monster-hunter, in a world that’s secretly dominated by the likes of vampires and werewolves.

Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish immerses players in a dark New York where vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural horrors lurk and scheme in the shadows. Players assume the role of a Hunter, or humans who have discovered the horrifying truth that monsters secretly rule our world and decided to track them down. Players customize their Hunter just like the tabletop RPG, and explore the city at their own pace, searching for clues and side quests that may give them an edge against enemies as powerful as they are dangerous.

NACON press release

Choose your own adventure

According to NACON, Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish won’t exactly be a straightforward FPS. The title will allow players to create their own character for one thing, but also have their choices actually matter. The press release notes that the element of choice will weigh heavy on dialogue options as well as during missions.

To that end, each choice that players make can “lead to multiple outcomes and influence the story’s conclusion”. Those decisions can also have multiple levels of fallout. Not only can players damage their reputations with allies, but also bring the heat. Yep, “scrutiny from law enforcement” will play into events, adding additional (yet seemingly avoidable) challenges.

Along with the above, tackling the lairs of monsters will offer multiple options as well. Would-be Hunters can choose “brute force, stealth, or cunning” as they battle their foes. The game will serve up a “wide range of ranged and melee weapons” too, plus create a team.

Don’t get the wrong idea though, as Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish is firmly a solo title. That said, players will be able to join in-game cells of hunters, creating parties of five companions to support the action. And those allies won’t just be include in missions either, as they’ll engage in relationships and even romances. Love in the time of lycanthropy? Sounds like it.

While all of this sounds pretty great though, Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish is still a ways off. As mentioned, it won’t arrive for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam) until some time in 2027.