Yurei Hunt

Yurei Hunt is a game that immediately reminded me of the classic prop hunt idea, but I liked the way it adds a supernatural theme to it. I can either play as a Yurei and hide by possessing objects around the map, or become a Hunter and try to figure out which objects are actually ghosts. It is a simple idea, but it creates some surprisingly tense moments when I am walking around wondering whether that completely normal looking object is actually watching me. Playing as a Yurei is probably my favourite part. Being able to turn into objects around the environment gives me plenty of opportunities to hide in places where I would not normally expect anyone to look. I can also manipulate parts of the environment and use abilities to make things more confusing. I enjoyed moving around carefully and trying to find a hiding spot that looked natural rather than simply disappearing somewhere obvious. The Hunter side is a completely different experience. Instead of hiding, I have to pay attention to my surroundings and look for anything that seems out of place. The proximity voice chat is a nice addition because voices can give away where someone is nearby. I liked the idea of hearing something in the darkness and having to decide whether it is worth investigating. It adds another layer of tension that fits the ghost theme really well. The maps are another thing I enjoyed. Yurei Hunt mixes traditional Japanese inspired locations such as shrines and forests with futuristic cyberpunk environments. The different settings help keep the matches from feeling too visually repetitive, while things like fog, snow and lightning can change how easy it is to see what is happening. Some areas also have interactive elements such as lights and lanterns that can be turned off, which gives the Yurei more opportunities to disappear into the darkness. My biggest problem is that the game still feels like an Early Access project rather than something that has reached its full potential. The core prop hunt gameplay works, but I wanted more variety in the available characters, abilities, modes and progression. The developers have planned additional content and a leveling system, but the current experience can feel a little limited if I am playing for long sessions. The game also depends heavily on having people around to play with, which can make the experience less interesting when there is not much activity. I also think Yurei Hunt has a good foundation for becoming much more interesting over time. The combination of possession, environmental tricks and proximity voice chat gives it more personality than a basic hide and seek game. I especially like the idea of the Yurei being able to manipulate the environment because it means hiding is not always about simply finding the darkest corner. There is room for some really clever mind games if the developers continue expanding the mechanics. Overall, I had a good time with Yurei Hunt. It is a straightforward multiplayer game, but the supernatural setting and ability to possess objects give the prop hunt formula a nice twist. The atmosphere works well, the different maps have some interesting ideas and playing as both the Hunter and Yurei gives me two very different ways to approach each match. It still needs more content and polish to reach its full potential, but since it is free to play now, I think it is worth trying with a group of friends. Rating: 7.1/10