"Hunger: A Multiplayer RPG with Extraction, Yet Unique"

In the saturated world of extraction shooters, standing out requires innovation. That's why I was excited to meet with developers from Good Fun Corporation to preview Hunger, their upcoming zombie-themed first-person action-RPG powered by Unreal Engine 5, which incorporates an extraction loop. The team is keen to distance Hunger from being just another extraction shooter, and after seeing an early build, it's clear that Hunger aims to redefine the genre.

Hunger - First Screenshots

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Two elements of Hunger immediately captured my attention: its visual aesthetic and its stunning graphics. Game director Maximilian Rea described the game's look as "Renaissance gothic," a fitting description. Hunger blends first-generation firearms with brutal melee weapons set within gritty, lived-in towns and majestic castles. The foliage, lighting, and texture detail are among the best uses of Unreal Engine 5 I've seen to date.

Although I couldn't play the game hands-on during the demo, Hunger appears to be built for longevity. The developers aim 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 both players and NPCs mingle. You can switch to a third-person perspective here, similar to Destiny, but combat remains in first-person. In this hub, you can interact with characters like Piro, a unique shopkeeper with a metal mask, selling items from a neck tray reminiscent of a 1920s cigarette girl. Louis, the Stashmaster, manages your inventory and offers quests, while Reynauld, the Expedition Master, with his missing fingers, signifies his encounters with zombies and queues you up for expeditions (raids).

The initial Early Access release will feature three maps: Jacques Bridge, Sombre Forest, and Sarlat Farm, each spanning one square kilometer with a large dungeon beneath. Each map will offer six weather varieties, including clear noon, foggy noon, sunset, and sunrise, with more dynamic elements planned post-launch. Rea mentioned aiming for 50-60 hours of content before unlocking the Cauldron, a new Chateau area where players can learn one of six professions. These professions are split between gathering (Scavenging for metals and materials, Conservator for mechanisms and trinkets, and Naturalist for herbs and spices) and crafting (Metallurgy, Gunsmithing, and Cooking), allowing players to master two at a time.

The game's narrative unfolds during a civil conflict sparked by The End, a bacteria causing the Hunger. Players can extract lore such as Missives and Maps, which come in Common, Rare, or Legendary varieties. Extracting a Missive allows you to read it back at the Chateau for XP and pieces together the game's full story. NPCs will also enrich the narrative through dialogue. "We try to infuse every aspect of the game with story," Rea emphasized.

The Hunger enemies have unique qualities, encouraging varied combat strategies. Melee combat allows for silent takedowns, while shooting attracts more Hunger. The Bloater, for instance, is a blob that releases a cloud of poisonous gas upon explosion, and the Shambler causes bleed damage. With 33 weapons ranging from daggers and pistols to maces and primitive machine guns, players can find exotic ammo to enhance bullet effects. Dedicated PvP experiences cater to competitive players, and a Mastery Tree with four branches—Physiology, Survival, Martial, and Cunning—offers diverse progression paths beyond PvP, with mastery points earned from levels 10-100.

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Hunger supports solo and duo play, with Rea assuring that these modes are viable for progression. "Being a solo or duo player isn't a death sentence," he stated. "In fact, it's one of the quickest ways to progress in the game." Players can unlock progression cosmetics by leveling up and defeating bosses, with unique cosmetics available for every weapon and bag.

Hunger will not be free-to-play, ensuring design integrity free from pay-to-win elements, and there will be no battle passes. A "Support the Developers" edition will include additional cosmetics and is priced above the standard $30 edition.

Sessions in Hunger are designed to last between 30-35 minutes, allowing players to enjoy quick, satisfying play sessions. Even if you die, your efforts contribute 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 said.

Though Hunger's release is still on the horizon, the team behind Hell Let Loose is crafting something distinctive and worth watching. Stay tuned to IGN for further updates on Hunger as development progresses.