It’s time to play Monster Hunter again, but now you’re an Orc

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The launch of Monster Hunter Wilds sparked the typical discussions about the inconsistency in a series that aims to preserve ecosystems while exploiting them for resources. We pondered, “When will Monster Hunter be truthful about its insatiable urge to convert dragons into clothing?” We wondered aloud, “When will the hunters acknowledge, not just accept but truly embrace, the reality that they are the true monsters in this world.

Instead of spending countless words explaining it, we might as well have simply indicated Hunters Inc. This game, in essence, resembles a first-person, budget-friendly Monster Hunter experience, except the hunters are Orcs. Unlike humans who often engage in self-deception, Orcs do not pretend that violence is sanitized or believe they’re protecting nature as caretakers. They straightforwardly enjoy brutally attacking things. It seems we’re back to a harmonious blend of gameplay and narrative (ludonarrative consonance) once again!

Pre-Alpha Reveal Trailer | Hunters, Inc.

At Hunters Inc., you can team up with as many as four of your orcish companions to roam through randomly generated landscapes, causing havoc among the local wildlife. Your allies are equipped with various weapons such as spears, hammers, and bows. Their targets vary from large spiders to bigger spiders, crocodiles, and even regular snails that seem ripe for destruction.

The game offers four Orc RPG classes for you to select: the Berserker, who excels at dealing damage; the Tracker, focused on reconnaissance; the Blacksmith, who constructs war machines using scavenged resources; and the Shaman, armed with protective charms and spells.

These big creatures are so massive they can destroy parts of their surroundings. To defeat them, you’ll need to maneuver them skillfully using the terrain, which literally means getting above them. Orcs don’t seem to be affected by falling damage unless they land on something sharp like a spear. Once defeated, you can dissect these creatures for materials to enhance your equipment, and yes, I mean this in a literal sense. Unlike some video games, there’s no disappearing act when the creature is slain; you can actually cut off a giant crocodile’s head and play around in its gore like a child playing with a chocolate fountain.

Developers Wylderzone are also behind Guards!, a game where you control a group of city guards stomping criminals with their hobnail boots. While Guards! didn’t receive universal acclaim, this new project could be their breakthrough. Regardless, I find it therapeutic after playing Wilds. However, I’m puzzled about the “Inc” part. Is this an Orc-owned corporation? Do they have shareholders? Where are they located for tax purposes?

You have the opportunity to evaluate the game personally by downloading its demo from Steam. The complete version will be released in July 2025. I apologize for this task as it was really meant for Nic, a brilliant writer known for his exceptional work on video games featuring Orcs. However, it seems like he’ll have to deal with this assignment due to some action that has been somewhat annoying to me.

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2025-04-09 20:25