Hunt: Showdown is an amazing game that's gone through some divisive changes in the past few updates. A lot of veteran players will tell you that it's gone "too mainstream" because the developers have started implementing ways to eliminate camping in the game. Other players will tell you of it's stressful game play; the slow drag of going from point A to point B while trying not to make so much noise, occasionally daring to follow the gunshot sounds of other hunters on the map to engage in a high risk shoot out. I have played Hunt on and off for the past year and change so the "drastic changes" a lot of the veterans talk about never really bother me because i just adapt how i Hunt in the game. That'll be the first hurdle you have to figure out. This game is VERY high risk and that's what makes it so fun despite the stressors in each level.
I'll start off by saying that any hunter can die, and by that i mean you can kill a prestige 2, level 3 hunter without going prestige yourself with a basic level 1 hunter. Every time you go into a match you have to assume that there are going to be players who've attained higher levels than you and access to top tier items. That's cool because you can still catch them off guard and dome them with an entry level pistol for a kill. It just takes time and skill. You will die. Many times. You'll put so much effort and care into a hunter whom you've crafted to suit your play style only to be caught off guard and killed. That's the point of the game. It's all a matter of how much dedication you put into learning the game's mechanics and adapting to the old and new ones that makes you capable in this game.
There's 3v3vE, 2v2vE and if you're feeling squirrely enough 1v2vE or 1v3vE (E being the environmental hazards and the you or your squad versus the other hunters on the map respectively). I've spent most of my time hunting solo (1v2vE or 1v3vE) which have been amusing to say the least. The times i've spent in groups were a hit or miss of loud people or skilled players who gave me tips, which is a nice thing about the community. Granted you'll find the Elitists or Alpha gamers who won't give you a second thought but there are clusters of pleasant gamers in this community that make it worthwhile. To this day 100 ish hours into gameplay i still cycle between solo and group hunts (although the new "battle royale" hunt mode has spiced things up a bit).
Each boss has their own quirks. The butcher is fire resistant and hits you with fire damage after taking a lot of damage. for the most part but it's slow and chonky so you can beat it fairly easy. The spider is a lanky, fast mofo that shoots poison damage loogies. it hates fire damage so you can usually lure it to a fire blasted area and it'll hate you for that. I haven't played much against the Assassin but from what i do know he's kind of a ♥♥♥♥. While you're killing monsters and the Boss of the level (some contracts have two bosses per map which is fun too), you have to be aware of other hunters drawn to the sound of combat, whether it be your guns or the screams and roars of the boss. Like i said before, the game is VERY sound heavy. Good audio goes a long way.
The weapon variety is what i enjoy as well. lot of bolt action single shot $hit so making your shot count is important. in recent patches they added like crossbows and hand crossbows and scopes for medium sized weapons so there's a lot more sniping going on but as long as you don't run around the map like a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ elephant you can still survive fairly well. I often cycle between a shotgun/melee or lever action rifle / melee / pistol combo with some consumables thrown in to the mix and have positive results.
With the next patch coming out (1.2 i think?) the community will be divided more because of some sound updates and other "casual isms" that make the game not as deep as it once was. I just say adapt to the new stuff or find another game to play, but i can guarantee this game is fun. If anything buy it on sale, join the discord, get some tips and run a few maps. You can do a lot in 2 hours that will help you decide if you want to return it or not.

8.5/10