Surrounded!

The game is played by moving from one area to the next as you try to make your way back to the prison where all the trouble started.  Each area will require you to accomplish something before moving on, the most common of which will be finding a key to unlock the gate or door to the next area.  This is not much of a quest, as a random zombie is usually given the key.  The trick is in finding which zombie has it.  Sometimes you'll think that you've cleared an area, only to find that you need a key.  This will force you to cover the whole level again trying to get the missing zombie to materialize.  Other levels will require you to rescue a certain number of innocent civilians or "free" spirits from skeletons.  No tough puzzles here, just a little window dressing on the slaughterfest.

Some areas will require you to make it past a boss creature.  These bosses each come with three or four different attacks, some of which can be quite devastating, but the bosses are more bark than bite. Most can be dispatched by running away from them while firing back at them with your ranged weapons.  A couple minutes of running your circuit is usually enough to dispatch the big guys. 

Graphically the game is thoroughly average.  The textures used are a little blurry and there's not much detail on the monsters.  The environments are functional, but are generally sparse and tend towards plain-looking.  The sewer levels are particularly devoid of any character.  A game like this really benefits from great atmosphere, but Hunter: The Reckoning falls a little short in this department.

Overall, although it is almost entirely a hack and slash party, the game does provide some fun, mindless action.  You'll find yourself enjoying entering new areas and hacking down waves of zombies.  While it can certainly be repetitive at times, at least the game doesn't make you wade though any slow or dull parts.  On the downside, it runs on the short side of things and you can finish the game during an extended play weekend. 

The action is even more enjoyable when you play with friends.  Up to four players can fight their way through the game as a finely honed team of zombie slayers.  When you play with other gamers you can take advantage of the strengths of each creed, and have melee, ranged, and edge specialists.  It is the multiplayer game's fun factor that gives the game an extended life, and it is a good game to keep around for when friends come over for a gaming session..

In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated: 80%.  A short but enjoyable hack and slash romp that is even more enjoyable when played with friends.

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