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Prey: Typhon Hunter : By Triple F

"Prey: Typhon Hunter" is an ambitious multiplayer expansion to Prey (2017), developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda. Released in December 2018 as part of the Mooncrash DLC, it takes the immersive sim mechanics of the base game and transforms them into an asymmetrical multiplayer experience. At its core, "Typhon Hunter" is a game of cat and mouse, where one player takes on the role of Morgan Yu, the protagonist from Prey, while up to five others control shapeshifting alien Mimics. The concept is intriguing, drawing clear inspiration from games like Prop Hunt, but with Prey’s signature sci-fi horror elements woven in. Unfortunately, while the idea is strong, execution issues and a lack of long-term support prevented it from reaching its full potential.

The gameplay is simple but tense. The Morgan player must hunt down all Mimics within a time limit, while the Mimic players disguise themselves as everyday objects scattered throughout the environment. The catch is that the Mimics can move, attack, and switch disguises at will, leading to unpredictable and often hilarious encounters. This creates an atmosphere of paranoia for Morgan, as every chair, cup, or trash can could be an enemy waiting to pounce. The Mimics, on the other hand, must balance deception with aggression, knowing that staying hidden for too long can make them easy targets. This dynamic makes for thrilling matches, especially when both sides are evenly skilled. However, over time, the novelty begins to wear off due to limited maps, repetitive strategies, and a lack of meaningful progression systems.

One of "Typhon Hunter’s" strongest aspects is its adherence to Prey’s immersive and atmospheric design. The environments pulled from the main game are richly detailed, and the sound design plays a crucial role in heightening tension. Morgan's footsteps echo ominously in empty hallways, while Mimics scurry and chitter as they reposition. The visual cues and environmental storytelling, hallmarks of Prey’s level design, add depth to the experience, making every match feel like a mini horror story. However, the mode struggles with balance; skilled Morgan players can often make quick work of the Mimics, while coordinated Mimics can sometimes overwhelm Morgan too easily. These imbalances, combined with a relatively small player base, made finding consistently engaging matches difficult.

In addition to the multiplayer mode, "Typhon Hunter" also includes an experimental VR escape room experience called TranStar VR. This mode offers a handful of single-player puzzle-based challenges set within Prey’s universe. While a neat concept, TranStar VR feels more like a tech demo than a fully fleshed-out experience. The puzzles are decent, but the movement and interaction mechanics can feel clunky, especially compared to other VR puzzle games. It’s an interesting addition but not compelling enough to justify a purchase on its own.

The biggest issue with "Typhon Hunter" is its longevity or lack thereof. Unlike other successful asymmetrical multiplayer games, such as Dead by Daylight or Among Us, it lacks the content updates, unlockable rewards, or deep customization options that keep players engaged over the long term. With only a handful of maps and no significant updates after launch, the player base dwindled quickly. By mid-2019, finding a match without coordinating with friends became increasingly difficult. This lack of long-term support significantly hurt what could have been a thriving multiplayer experience.

Despite its flaws, "Prey: Typhon Hunter" is an interesting experiment that offers some genuinely fun and tense moments, especially for fans of Prey’s world and lore. The core gameplay mechanics work well, and the blend of horror and deception makes for a uniquely stressful multiplayer experience. However, its lack of content, balance issues, and dwindling player base prevented it from ever truly standing out in the competitive multiplayer scene.

Ultimately, "Typhon Hunter" is best seen as a novelty rather than a must-play multiplayer game. If you’re a die-hard Prey fan or enjoy asymmetrical multiplayer games, it’s worth trying, just don’t expect a game with lasting appeal. While it had the potential to be a cult hit, the lack of post-launch support meant it faded into obscurity all too quickly.