Hunt: Showdown - A Once-Exciting Game, Now Stifled by Bush Campers and Questionable Changes

Hunt: Showdown has long been a unique experience in the multiplayer FPS world, blending high-tension bounty hunting with a gritty, immersive atmosphere. But with recent changes, particularly the removal of the ability to retire hunters at level 25, the game has taken a turn for the worse—at least for me.

Gameplay Shift: From Intense Action to... Bush Wookies
In the past, players could retire their hunters at level 25, which allowed for a faster progression system and encouraged more aggressive playstyles. With that option now gone, the shift in gameplay is noticeable—and not in a good way. What once was a high-stakes hunt now feels like a waiting game, and not the fun kind.

Players have increasingly adopted a camp-heavy strategy, often hiding in bushes for the majority of the match. It’s not a matter of skill anymore, but patience—waiting like a stealthy Ewok armed with a silenced Bornheim and fire bullets, ready to ruin your day just as you're out for a simple XP grind. In one match, the bounty had already been extracted, but sure enough, I found myself ambushed by one of these players, who not only downed me but laid a trap-filled gauntlet to prevent my necro-revival. It’s a frustrating trend that’s been on the rise ever since the retirement feature was removed, and it’s killing the vibe of Hunt: Showdown.

The Impact: Is Crytek Killing Its Own Game?
This isn't just an isolated incident. More and more, the community is full of these "bush wookie" playstyles, people camping with low-skill, MMR-boosting tactics. It's making solo play—especially when you're just trying to level up your hunter—less enjoyable. I’m a Prestige 88, MMR 6 with a K/D ratio well above positive, so I’m not complaining from a place of "git gud," but the experience of simply vibing in the game has disappeared.

On top of that, Crytek’s recent decisions to remove features like hunter lore and the Book of Monsters just adds to the sadness. These elements made the world feel rich and immersive. And while the game still has its intense, adrenaline-pumping moments, they're increasingly overshadowed by these new frustrations.

Technical Problems Add to the Frustration
To make matters worse, the game is still plagued with bugs, a clunky UI, and performance issues that just add insult to injury. Crytek seems to be focusing on changes that detract from the overall experience instead of fixing longstanding issues or adding meaningful content.

Conclusion: Challenges Ahead, But Hope for the Future
At its core, Hunt: Showdown remains a one-of-a-kind experience, though it's currently facing challenges brought on by these changes and shifting player behaviors. While the rise of "bush wookie" playstyles has dulled some of the excitement, there’s still hope for improvement. Crytek has made adjustments before, and I believe they have the potential to course-correct again if they listen to community feedback.

For now, I’m still pushing towards Prestige 100 and will keep enjoying the intense moments Hunt can offer. But for the game to stay vibrant, Crytek needs to address these concerns—because deep down, there’s still an incredible game here waiting to shine again. Hopefully, with the right changes, Hunt: Showdown can get back to what made it great in the first place.

Hunt: Showdown - A Once-Exciting Game, Now Stifled by Bush Campers and Questionable Changes Hunt: Showdown has long been a unique experience in the multiplayer FPS world, blending high-tension bounty hunting with a gritty, immersive atmosphere. But with recent changes, particularly the removal of the ability to retire hunters at level 25, the game has taken a turn for the worse—at least for me. Gameplay Shift: From Intense Action to... Bush Wookies In the past, players could retire their hunters at level 25, which allowed for a faster progression system and encouraged more aggressive playstyles. With that option now gone, the shift in gameplay is noticeable—and not in a good way. What once was a high-stakes hunt now feels like a waiting game, and not the fun kind. Players have increasingly adopted a camp-heavy strategy, often hiding in bushes for the majority of the match. It’s not a matter of skill anymore, but patience—waiting like a stealthy Ewok armed with a silenced Bornheim and fire bullets, ready to ruin your day just as you're out for a simple XP grind. In one match, the bounty had already been extracted, but sure enough, I found myself ambushed by one of these players, who not only downed me but laid a trap-filled gauntlet to prevent my necro-revival. It’s a frustrating trend that’s been on the rise ever since the retirement feature was removed, and it’s killing the vibe of Hunt: Showdown. The Impact: Is Crytek Killing Its Own Game? This isn't just an isolated incident. More and more, the community is full of these "bush wookie" playstyles, people camping with low-skill, MMR-boosting tactics. It's making solo play—especially when you're just trying to level up your hunter—less enjoyable. I’m a Prestige 88, MMR 6 with a K/D ratio well above positive, so I’m not complaining from a place of "git gud," but the experience of simply vibing in the game has disappeared. On top of that, Crytek’s recent decisions to remove features like hunter lore and the Book of Monsters just adds to the sadness. These elements made the world feel rich and immersive. And while the game still has its intense, adrenaline-pumping moments, they're increasingly overshadowed by these new frustrations. Technical Problems Add to the Frustration To make matters worse, the game is still plagued with bugs, a clunky UI, and performance issues that just add insult to injury. Crytek seems to be focusing on changes that detract from the overall experience instead of fixing longstanding issues or adding meaningful content. Conclusion: Challenges Ahead, But Hope for the Future At its core, Hunt: Showdown remains a one-of-a-kind experience, though it's currently facing challenges brought on by these changes and shifting player behaviors. While the rise of "bush wookie" playstyles has dulled some of the excitement, there’s still hope for improvement. Crytek has made adjustments before, and I believe they have the potential to course-correct again if they listen to community feedback. For now, I’m still pushing towards Prestige 100 and will keep enjoying the intense moments Hunt can offer. But for the game to stay vibrant, Crytek needs to address these concerns—because deep down, there’s still an incredible game here waiting to shine again. Hopefully, with the right changes, Hunt: Showdown can get back to what made it great in the first place.