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HUNTDOWN
review | PC
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Publisher: Coffee Stain Publishing.
Developer: Easy Trigger. Released: May 2020. Genre: Run 'n' Gun. Other versions: PS4; XONE; SWI. Posted 17th September 2026. By Tom Clare © 2026 |
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Huntdown is a really special game. The first outing for Swedish developer Easy Trigger, this run ‘n’ gun par excellence is not only superbly playable, but relentless in terms of quality, energy, and the creativity of its level design. The standard it maintains from start to finish is astounding, and there’s tonnes to get your teeth into.
A grand pixel tribute to side-scrolling action platformers and eighties movies/cyberpunk dystopias more broadly, you’ve a choice of three bounty hunters: Ana Conda (the human option), John Sawyer (an off-world cyborg), and Mow Man (a droid). You’re briefed by the mysterious Wolf Mother and sent to pursue four distinct gangs, each comprising four ‘minor’ targets and a leader.
Don't spend too long admiring the scenery: it's never long before someone's trying to vanquish you in Huntdown
The mechanics are simple but precise, effective and refined. Along with a primary weapon and an explosive/ranged back-up, players can dash, use alcoves and barrels for cover, and hop between platforms. Scenery is eminently destructible, and there’s a nice line in platforming, an oft-undercooked aspect of these kinds of games. Players must think on their feet and keep moving to stay alive, and there’s a rush to running and gunning, as weapons deliver a real punch and enemies come packing too. The three characters handle much the same, with slight variances to their movement animations, ranged melee weapons, and their extensive collection of spoken lines.
Huntdown looks absolutely stunning. On the surface, it appears to be your typical pixel platformer throwback, but the degree of detail, precision and variety is unbelievable. The backdrops are more like cinematic dioramas, brimming with action and distinct from what’s been before, making every single screen exciting to take in. The game’s first gang, the Hoodlum Dolls, are tackled amid grimy street surrounds, and it’s not just the style the game nails; it’s the number of cool touches that make each stage a singular experience. At the very beginning, you’ll encounter a roll call of street thugs guarded by police, whilst a couple of levels later, players are hounded by the spectre of a flamethrower-wielding lunatic, as you make your way through increasingly lawless locations that show police struggling to keep a lid on things.
Huntdown looks absolutely stunning. On the surface, it appears to be your typical pixel platformer throwback, but the degree of detail, precision and variety is unbelievable. The backdrops are more like cinematic dioramas, brimming with action and distinct from what’s been before, making every single screen exciting to take in. The game’s first gang, the Hoodlum Dolls, are tackled amid grimy street surrounds, and it’s not just the style the game nails; it’s the number of cool touches that make each stage a singular experience. At the very beginning, you’ll encounter a roll call of street thugs guarded by police, whilst a couple of levels later, players are hounded by the spectre of a flamethrower-wielding lunatic, as you make your way through increasingly lawless locations that show police struggling to keep a lid on things.
FOCAL POINT: REFERENCE REVERENCE
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It’s perhaps no surprise that a game with such a studious eye for minutiae delivers an eye-watering array of nods to action films and cyberpunk. The Terminator, The Warriors and Robocop are touched upon through character dialogue, gang designs and character appearances, but even better is the smattering of secret scenes you’ll find tucked away. Most striking is a tribute to the anime classic Akira, which sees the player jumping onto a subway platform just in time to see Kaneda disappearing down a flight of stairs in his unmistakable jacket, his iconic red bike parked outside. Towards the end, you’ll find a scene with a guy hanging from a ledge, your character referencing the “moments lost in time, like tears in rain” monologue at the conclusion of Blade Runner. It’s clear Easy Trigger know their onions, and their passion really shines through.
The game changes tack for the second gang, the Misconducts, introducing a subway setting and stick-wielding ice hockey players who hunt quickly and in packs, often prioritising melee. This sequence ups the ante with some notably tougher boss fights – more on those shortly. Gang #3, the Heatseekers, sees the action switching to a heavy industrial setting with leather galore and a distinctly Mad Max vibe, with markedly heavier artillery and enemies using vehicles as weapons. For the first time, you’re encouraged to consolidate the best weapons and make maximum use of remote charges and grenades. Finally, there are dashes of modern and feudal Japan in the levels of the final gang, the No.1 Suspects, as the player faces sword-wielding foes, ninjas, goons decked out with hoverboards, and bosses with multiple phases.
The boss fights are tremendous. I could probably dedicate about five paragraphs to them, such as is the sheer number of memorable encounters, but in the interests of readability, I’ll focus on just a few. Without exception, every end-of-level encounter is a thrill, providing a measured challenge without ever feeling cheap. The Misconducts represent different ice hockey players, with the gigantic Unholy Goalie proving unforgettable, and Nadja, whose ferocious speed and slap-shot attack can scoop up players who aren’t alert. The Dudson Twins, the first encounter of the final gang, demand the smart deployment of sentry turrets and lightning-fast movements to evade their pincer attacks.
The boss fights are tremendous. I could probably dedicate about five paragraphs to them, such as is the sheer number of memorable encounters, but in the interests of readability, I’ll focus on just a few. Without exception, every end-of-level encounter is a thrill, providing a measured challenge without ever feeling cheap. The Misconducts represent different ice hockey players, with the gigantic Unholy Goalie proving unforgettable, and Nadja, whose ferocious speed and slap-shot attack can scoop up players who aren’t alert. The Dudson Twins, the first encounter of the final gang, demand the smart deployment of sentry turrets and lightning-fast movements to evade their pincer attacks.
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The boss battles get better, and more elaborate, as the game progresses
Expect plenty of clever switch-ups and surprises, as most bosses have at least one phase shift up their sleeve, perhaps the best being Psychonaught, who spends half the fight pursuing you with a flamethrower and the other half an active hazard as they catch fire and charge around at speed. Elsewhere, you’ll fight a wrestler, a guy with a helicopter gunship, another on a train, and need to time explosive detonations to best a weaponised chariot. Each is its own experience, taxing the players to devise different tactics. Coming up with four or five great boss fights would have been laudable; delivering 20 is almost beyond belief.
It’s built to last, too. The Story mode is a satisfying endeavour, and with four difficulty settings, there’s something to test even the toughest run ‘n’ gun experts. Better still, the campaign can be tackled with a friend in what is an awesome co-op experience. Arcade mode sees gangs tackled in five-level blocks, with deaths deducting points and fast runs improving your score, which can be measured against others via online leaderboards. In addition to a trove of movie references, each level offers medals for defeating all enemies, completing it without dying, and collecting three stashes, some of which are hidden. Ultimately, though, the levels are the driving force behind Huntdown’s replayability.
It’s built to last, too. The Story mode is a satisfying endeavour, and with four difficulty settings, there’s something to test even the toughest run ‘n’ gun experts. Better still, the campaign can be tackled with a friend in what is an awesome co-op experience. Arcade mode sees gangs tackled in five-level blocks, with deaths deducting points and fast runs improving your score, which can be measured against others via online leaderboards. In addition to a trove of movie references, each level offers medals for defeating all enemies, completing it without dying, and collecting three stashes, some of which are hidden. Ultimately, though, the levels are the driving force behind Huntdown’s replayability.
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Huntdown isn’t just a great side-scrolling action platformer; it’s one of the best run ‘n’ gun games I’ve ever played. Easy Trigger’s game is tremendous fun, looks brilliant, and has a level of consistency most games of this kind could only dream of, especially over 20 areas. Whether you play on your own or with a friend, it’s glorious, destructive fun. A near-perfect tribute to cyberpunk and action films, and one you’ll return to again and again. It should go without saying: hunt it down, immediately.
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VERDICT
"An outstanding run 'n' gun. An action film fan's dream, Huntdown is packed with superb levels, memorable boss fights and explosive, fun gameplay. One of the best of its kind." OVERALL: 9/10 |
OTHER RUN 'N' GUN GAMES REVIEWED
Rolling Thunder 2 (1991, Mega Drive)
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Metal Slug (1996, Neo Geo)
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