A game’s success or failure often rests on the little things. An
otherwise ordinary game can soar to great heights by nailing the
details; conversely, a smattering of small flaws might cause fine ideas
to flounder. Hunted: The Demon’s Forge is the latter type of game:
conceptually sound, yet clumsy as delivered. As a result, this
cooperative action game feels like an ancient relic, in spite of its
attempts to use modern gameplay elements popularized by Gears of War and
co-opted by countless games since. It’s a shame that a game with such
promise feels so unfinished. Imagine this scenario: you take up your
bow, and a buddy grabs his mace and shield. Together, you cut through
swaths of maniacal monsters, seeking the most effective ways of ridding
your fantasy kingdom of a rising menace. When Hunted comes together, it
captures the essence of such a rambunctious adventure. But sloppy
locomotion, technical glitches galore, and all sorts of basic flaws rise
up to smite you. PC players also get a special problem to call their
own: barely functioning online play. And that’s a damning issue in a
game designed to be played with another.
In spite of its numerous foibles, Hunted: The Demon’s Forge isn’t
devoid of fun, and it boasts a great concept: combine the best parts of
fantasy hack-and-slash adventures and Gears-style cover shooting, and
then throw in some loot. One player assumes the role of Caddoc, a
bald-headed melee specialist. The other takes over the ample assets of
E’lara, an archer with impossible curves and no desire to shield her
backside from swords, arrows, or the stares of lascivious passersby.
Together, you move through dungeons, flaming villages, and more
dungeons, slicing away at the titular demons while occasionally casting
spells, grabbing loot, and trading barbs about who killed the most
meanies in that last battle. Caddoc and E’lara are in it for the cash
and are hardly heroes worth remembering once your eight hours with
Hunted’s campaign come to a close. Yet they share an easygoing
camaraderie that’s appealing, if wholly unexplored.
