Hunter: The Reckoning

"Give it more recognition!"

Well, I've seen too many negative responses from this game. I'm guessing the only people who have played any of WhiteWolf's Pen-and-Paper games (Besides Hunter) that are part of the World of Darkness. In the PnP games, there are actually given reasons how the zombies ''just appear out of nowhere'' and reasons for almost anything that happens. The only real mystery is how the Hunters do get their power. The game is well put, but as I said, it does seem to make more sense to those who play the PnP games.

Story: 8.5
I don't want to get into the story too much, so that I don't start writing a novel, so short story. Arkady was executed in Ashcroft prison, he raises zombies from a parallel world (far from being just 'the Netherworld' [PnP reference]), four people there actually see what happening (any other human would have thought up any reasonable explanation), the four Hunters fight them off and seal them away. One year later, a rave is held on the anniversary of the execution, and the zombies reawaken, and start taking over the town (thought to be a riot by citizens).

Graphics: 7
Not the best, but will do. It could be redone, but I'm not much for caring about graphics.

Gameplay: 10
I find every movement smooth, and even enjoy being able to retreat while firing. The four different characters all have good and bad things about them, of course, but of all of them, the Martyr stands out. She doesn't seem to be the best co-op player, since she needs to move freely, but taking down hordes of monsters with just her is fairly hard. And as far as fighting, the melee weapons are truly less ''hack-n-slash''-y. Lunging attacks will help get out of large groups of enemies, running attacks can help mow down large amounts without stopping, etc.

Sounds: 8
Sound effects are great, and the lack of music does set off the dreary mood of the World of Darkness, and the metal music continues to show the mood, when it does play, which is when there are large amounts of enemies nearby.

Difficulty: 9.5
The game is not so hard as to just avoid, and only rarely to zombies really just appear forever. It seems balance very well. I've also been thinking about the possibility that monsters are stronger when there are more hunters, or if it's the lack of free movement with multiple hunters.

Overall: 9 // Buy? Rent?
A great game, especially for groups. Buy this if you sound interested, and if you roleplay in any World of Darkness games, well, then, why don't you have it already?

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/02/03, Updated 01/02/03