PGC NEWS

Devil’s Hunt, developed by Layopi Games and published by 1C Entertainment, is a stylish action game reminiscent of the Devil May Cry series. Promising a thrilling experience for fans of the genre, the game draws its narrative from Paweł Leśniak’s 2012 novel, Equilibrium (Równowaga). Leśniak, a Polish novelist and former professional football player, poured two years of work into his debut novel, a work ripe for adaptation into the gaming world. Let’s dive into what Devil’s Hunt offers and where it falls short.

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Visually Stunning Cutscenes

Devil’s Hunt’s cutscenes are remarkably impressive for an indie title. The visuals are polished, with detailed environments and effects that rival AAA productions. This visual fidelity extends to the in-game world, where environments, from architecture to textures, are beautifully rendered. The game world is so captivating that players might find themselves spending more time admiring the scenery than engaging in combat. However, Devil’s Hunt offers more than just pretty visuals, though some aspects leave much to be desired.

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A Narrative Mess

Based on Leśniak’s novel, the game’s story centers around the eternal conflict between angels and demons. Players take on the role of Desmond Pearce, an executor serving Lucifer, the lord of Hell. While the premise is intriguing, the game’s execution of the narrative is disjointed and ultimately underwhelming. Short bursts of gameplay are frequently interrupted by cutscenes, often featuring excessive profanity and poorly written dialogue. The overuse of expletives, particularly the word “fuck,” and the generally bland dialogue detract from the story’s potential. Furthermore, the game’s quality noticeably declines as it progresses, making it a chore to complete.

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Unbalanced Combat

Devil’s Hunt’s combat revolves around basic attacks and three skill branches. Players can select up to three skills from each branch to use in combat, which recharge over time. While this system sounds promising, it ultimately leads to overpowered gameplay. As the game progresses, players can wield up to nine skills simultaneously, trivializing combat encounters. The “soul drain” skill, in particular, renders players invulnerable while instantly killing enemies, further reducing the challenge.

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Technical Issues and Glitches

While Devil’s Hunt impresses with its AAA-quality environments, other aspects of its presentation are lacking. Character models appear dated and lifeless, reminiscent of PlayStation 2 era graphics. Enemy encounters are frequent and often illogical, and combat animations feel cheap and rushed. The game also suffers from numerous technical issues, including frequent frame rate drops and crashes, especially on lower-end systems. These glitches further diminish the overall experience.

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Conclusion

Devil’s Hunt presents a compelling premise with stunning visuals, but its potential is squandered by a poorly executed narrative, unbalanced combat, and numerous technical flaws. While the game initially captivates with its beautiful environments and stylish action, the repetitive gameplay, weak story, and technical issues ultimately hold it back from being a truly enjoyable experience.