Is Hunt: Showdown Like Escape from Tarkov?

If you’re a fan of battle royale games with a twist, you’ve probably heard of both Hunt: Showdown and Escape from Tarkov. Both games revolve around players fighting each other with some AI/PvE mixed in. However, unlike many battle royale games, they have a form of progression outside the match.

Regardless of which you have or haven’t played, this article is here to help you understand what ways they are and aren’t similar. If you’d prefer to see a quick rundown of differences and similarities, click here.

How is Hunt: Showdown Different From Escape from Tarkov

Hunt: Showdown is more accessible than Escape from Tarkov because it’s simpler and more focused on the action. While there are plenty of ways to master both games, Tarkov is complicated and has more progression that stays with you. For example, Hunt: Showdown has 5 ammo types whereas Tarkov has around 80.

This can make Tarkov intimidating to play especially when you’re first learning how things work. On the contrary, Hunt: Showdown is easier to play a tutorial and get into without a hard learning curve.

An area where Hunt: Showdown excels compared to Tarkov is its PvE. Instead of fighting the same human SCAV or mercenary every raid, you’re going against infected zombies, mutated dogs, a massive spider boss, and more.

Set in 1895 Louisiana, Hunt: Showdown’s world has a unique creepy vibe filled with swamps and creatures lurking. Despite Tarkov not having as much variety in AI enemies, there are more maps to play that are also massive.

Quick Rundown of Differences

Escape from Tarkov

• Complex with a hard learning curve.
• Many large maps to play.
• A larger focus on content outside of each match such as quests, a base you can upgrade, shopkeepers, and a massive pool of items to loot.
• Extensive weapon crafting and modding system.
• More players per match, varying by map.
• Teams as high as five.
• Downed players can’t be revived.
• Has wipes resetting the entire player base back to zero on major updates. These aren’t frequent, however.
• Only available to on PC.

Hunt: Showdown

• Easier to start without feeling overwhelmed.
• More variety in enemies that follow a strong sci-fi theme.
• Satisfying 19th-century weapons that put a bigger emphasis on accuracy over automatic guns.
• Extensive trait system that revolves around building a character toward unique passive buffs for certain loadouts.
• Fewer players per match.
• Teams of as high as three.
• Downed players can be revived.
• Available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Cross-platform between consoles only.

Quick Rundown of Similarities

• Both have a feature for getting loot/characters for free.
• Permadeath is a major feature in both games where you lose your character on death. Losing your gear in Tarkov is the main penalty compared to losing character levels and traits in Hunt: Showdown.
• Similar match times with room for flexibility depending on how you play. Both give you the opportunity to extract early.
• The same potential for kills as quick as one or two shots frequently.
• Expect the same level of intense adrenaline while fighting other players.

If you have any questions about how Escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown plays, feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll try to answer. I have a good amount of time in both games, with more time currently in Tarkov.