Predator: Hunting Grounds (2020)

I already loved this game on PS4 and now that IllFonic has been freed from the Sony exclusivity; Predator: Hunting Grounds for the Series X and PS5 feels like such an improvement over the original. With its upgraded visuals, enhanced performance and engaging gameplay, it offers an exciting experience to the asymmetrical genre. If you are a fan of the Predator franchise then this should already be on your list, but even if you just want a thrilling multiplayer shooter, Predator: Hunting Grounds is worth checking out.

Drastic improvements made to the core gameplay of Predator: Hunting Grounds vastly enhances the overall experience, making for a much more polished and better game than the one I played back in 2020. Predator: Hunting Grounds deserves a second chance.

What we have in Predator: Hunting Grounds even provides some fun, such as explorations in search of valuable resources, joint attacks against the Predator (until the almost inevitable defeat) or reviving defeated colleagues. The alien hunter offers more, with even Mortal Kombat-style fatalities. It's a shame that you have to put up with an exaggerated asymmetry, which will lead to few cool matches amidst several annoyances.

It is nice for Predator: Hunting Grounds to finally see the light of day on the Xbox platform. Illfonic has been wise and opted for the low entry cost of just over £16 for the bog standard edition of the game. The team hasn’t just ported the game across in the hope of a quick buck, either. Overall, the presentation has had a good polish and gloss-over for this new lease of life on the green side of the fence. It was fantastic to see the early crashing issues promptly resolved within a matter of days of launch, I can now report that the game runs like clockwork. Bearing in mind that the game is four and a half years old at this stage, you have to forgive that it will look a little dated. However, what we essentially have for Xbox is a brand-new FPS for the console, and we always need more. What I adored about Predator: Hunting Grounds is the ability to have fun whether playing alone or with friends online, you can succeed in both scenarios. The intensity of being stalked by whoever is playing as Predator always has you on edge and brings the atmosphere of the movies into the game. For its low-cost entry and an absolute ton to unlock and level up, it is well worth a punt!

The updated version of Predator: Hunting Grounds features the same formula as its counterpart that originally arrived on PS4, Xbox One and PC. The improvements made mainly concern the graphical and technical components, while maintaining almost identical gameplay. That said, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions are a worthwhile purchase for fans of the film series. Those who have already tried the original title, however, will not see so many changes as to justify the purchase on current gen.