Predator: Hunting Grounds

Inspired by the movie franchise, the officially-licensed asymmetric multiplayer game Predator: Hunting Grounds seeks to finally give players an opportunity to feel what it’s like to be the galaxy’s most dangerous hunter—and also, to survive its wrath. In the vein of popular asymmetric games like Evolve, Left 4 Dead, or Friday the 13th—players have the option to play as the Predator, who arrives with a diverse set of powerful skills as they hunt solo or, as a team of four human soldiers, stacked with a variety of tools at their disposal as they work together to see if they can take the mythic alien down.

A Gorgeous, Gory Rendition

The first thing to be said about Predator: Hunting Grounds is that it’s a very good-looking game. Clearly research was done by the designers and art department, not to mention sound, to fully recreate the feel of the movies that inspired the game.

All that being said, the set-up for this game is, as mentioned, asymmetric multiplayer. Each match, set on a few different levels in a jungle environment, has the four human players (whose perspective is first-person) to move around the map completing various objectives. These objectives range from gathering intel, to taking out a high-value target, to clearing a hostile camp. Meanwhile, the Predator (experienced in third person) is sent on their own mission to make that as hard as possible for the humans. They move through the trees, with an arsenal of weapons, hunting the players and taking them out one by one to win the hunt.

The Balancing Act

The most difficult part of creating a compelling asymmetric multiplayer experience is ensuring that both sides are equally fun to play. Inherently, the style of play of one might sound better than the other as they are usually more unique. For example, it sounds more fun to be the ‘killer’ in Friday the 13th than the victims fleeing from them. And that’s where things can get tough. There is some good tension in playing as the victims, but if you take Evolve, for example—if you aren’t the monster, you’re bored.

That being said, thankfully Predator: Hunting Grounds has somewhat solved that dilemma as both the humans and the Predator have their quirks and are fun to play as. While the wait to be Predator is often longer in the queue—there is fun to be had trying to outsmart it as a ragtag band of human soldiers.

A Good Start

While Predator: Hunting Grounds can offer some amazing, tension-ridden moments that feel as exciting as the movies that inspired them—they can also be few and far between. While the developers did successfully work to balance the fun in an asymmetric system, the game still feels somewhat lacking in content.

With few maps to start, and few variations in human squad objectives (also in talent of the Predator hunting) there just isn’t enough yet to keep the game engaging long-term.

Pros

• Marvelously realized world inspired by movie
• Great asymmetric balance of 4 vs. 1
• Rewards for leveling are extensive
• Extremely tense moments of combat

Cons

• Limited game modes
• Lack of objective variety
• Not enough distinct feeling maps (offer a Night Mode!)