In a market flooded with extraction shooters, standing out requires innovation and a unique approach. That's precisely what the team at Good Fun Corporation aims to achieve with their upcoming game, Hunger. This first-person action-RPG, powered by Unreal Engine 5, promises to redefine the genre with its zombie-themed extraction loop. My meeting with the developers offered an exciting glimpse into what they're cooking up.

The developers are keen to distance Hunger from being just another extraction shooter. After experiencing an impressive early build, I can confidently say that Hunger is poised to be a distinctive addition to the Steam catalog. While the team isn't ready to announce an exact release date for the Early Access launch, the anticipation is palpable.

Hunger - First Screenshots

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Two aspects of Hunger immediately caught my attention: its visual aesthetic and the stunning graphics. Game director Maximilian Rea describes the game's look as "Renaissance gothic," a fitting description. The game blends first-generation firearms with brutal melee weapons, set within dirty, lived-in towns and majestic castles. The use of Unreal Engine 5 elevates the visual experience, with breathtaking foliage, lighting, and texture detail that showcases the engine's capabilities at their best.

Though I couldn't get hands-on experience during my demo, the game's design aims to combine the simplicity of ARC Raiders with the complexity of Escape From Tarkov. Players start in the Outer Ramparts, a peaceful social hub within the Chateau where you can interact with other players and NPCs. Here, you can switch to third-person perspective, a feature reminiscent of Destiny. You'll encounter characters like Piro, a quirky shopkeeper with a unique metal mask who sells items from a tray around his neck, reminiscent of a 1920s cigarette girl. Louis, the Stashmaster, allows you to manage your inventory and occasionally hands out quests, while Reynauld, the Expedition Master, who bears the scars of zombie encounters, queues you into expeditions, or raids.

At launch, Hunger will feature three maps: Jacques Bridge, Sombre Forest, and Sarlat Farm, each spanning one square kilometer with an expansive dungeon below. Players can expect six different weather conditions per map, including clear and foggy noon, sunset, and sunrise, with more dynamic elements to be added post-release. Rea aims for 50-60 hours of content, leading to the unlocking of the Cauldron, a new section of the Chateau where players learn their profession. There are six professions, split into gathering and crafting categories, allowing players to choose two at a time.

The game's narrative is woven into the fabric of its world, set against the backdrop of civil conflict triggered by The End, a bacteria causing the Hunger. Players can discover and extract lore items like Missives and Maps, categorized as Common, Rare, or Legendary. Extracting with a Missive allows you to read it back at the Chateau for XP, contributing to piecing together the game's full story. NPC dialogues further enrich the storytelling experience.

Combat in Hunger offers strategic depth, with melee attacks allowing for silent engagements and ranged attacks drawing more zombies. Different Hunger types, like the explosive Bloater and the bleed-inducing Shambler, add variety to encounters. The game boasts 33 weapons, ranging from daggers to primitive machine guns, with exotic ammo that enhances bullet effects. Dedicated PvP modes cater to those seeking competitive action, while a Mastery Tree provides multiple progression paths from levels 10 to 100 across four categories: Physiology, Survival, Martial, and Cunning.

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Hunger accommodates solo and duo play, with Rea emphasizing that these modes offer some of the quickest ways to progress. As you level up, kill bosses, and achieve milestones, you unlock various progression cosmetics for weapons and gear.

Unlike many modern games, Hunger won't be free-to-play, avoiding potential pay-to-win pitfalls and eschewing battle passes. A "Support the Developers" edition, priced above the $30 standard edition, will offer additional cosmetics.

Expeditions in Hunger are designed to be manageable, lasting about 30-35 minutes on the low end, making it easy to enjoy a satisfying session before bedtime. Every action contributes to XP gains, ensuring no session feels wasted. "If they've played for an hour, we want them to feel like they've meaningfully moved the ball forward for their character," Rea emphasized.

While Hunger's release is still on the horizon, the game's unique approach and the team's track record with Hell Let Loose make it an exciting prospect. Keep an eye on IGN for more updates as the development of Hunger progresses.