One of the benefits of the indie gaming space is the creativity afforded to developers to craft unlikely and unique combinations of ideas. Hunt The Night, the new top-down ARPG from developer Moonlight Games, is one such title that takes a creative approach to its design by combining the mechanics and elements from two very different and much-loved titles. If one were to imagine a cross between The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and FromSoftware's gothic horror ARPG Bloodborne, they wouldn't be far off from the reality of Hunt the Night.
The story, setting, and atmosphere of Hunt the Night immediately call to mind the eldritch horrors and creeping dread of Bloodborne but present it in a 16-bit pixel art style reminiscent of SNES classics such as Link to the Past or Secret of Mana. For those that have been eagerly awaiting a sequel to Bloodborne or hoping for a remaster of the original game on modern consoles, Hunt the Night is a welcome distraction that features a robust build and combat system and combines its influences to create something greater than just the sum of its parts. Lest it be forgotten, the game is also brutally difficult, appealing to leagues of Soulsborne fans who have honed their skills in order to "Git Gud".
Hunt the Night's Combat Wears Its Influences Proudly
Players in Hunt the Night will assume the role of Vesper, one of the last remaining members of an order known as The Stalkers whose sworn mission is to protect humanity from the horrors that have invaded from the endless cycle of darkness pervading the world. While the setup and story are very reminiscent of Bloodborne (the world of Hunt the Night is even called Medhram, seemingly a callback to Bloodborne's Yharnam) the perspective and action of Hunt the Night take place from a 2D, top-down view. The end result is that players will not be parrying but instead dodge-rolling their way to victory in the game's many difficult encounters.
The game's use of its perspective makes players more aware of the positioning of their character and helps to allow for a greater sense of scale in how the bosses are presented - one of the highlights of any game with a Souls influence. With several different weapon types to choose from as well as ranged options in crossbows, pistols, and rifles, the Bloodborne influence on Hunt the Night's combat and armaments is clear. Combat is also fluid and precise, nailing the fundamentals of movement and action like Zelda: Link to the Past, Secret of Mana, or other greats from the 16-bit era.
Fans of Bloodborne Will Feel At Home In Hunt The Night's Setting
Hunt the Night puts players into a world in ruins with the last bastion of humanity as all that stands between complete annihilation at the hands of the cosmic terrors beyond the veil. The gothic-tinged horror and palpable sense of unease will feel very familiar to players who have spent time with Bloodborne's worldbuilding. The use of 16-bit pixel art betrays some of the more terrifying elements found in the environments and enemies but the influence of Bloodborne is still very much felt despite the cute appearance of the graphics.
In another nod to the narrative styles of FromSoftware, much of the game's lore and storytelling can be found hidden in the environment, with additional details and revelations available to those that are willing to explore the depths and dark corners of Hunt the Night's well-designed maps. With a score composed by Hiroki Kikuta of Secret of Mana fame and a foreboding atmosphere calling to mind FromSoft's horror masterpiece, Hunt the Night is perfectly suited for fans of both Soulslike games and 16-bit ARPGs. It's a combination that one wouldn't imagine would work, but thankfully it does.
Hunt the Night is out now for PC.