A Fresh Extraction

Extraction games seem to be plentiful lately, many have come and gone with a few exceptions remaining at the top. The most popular extraction shooter to remain in constant conversation is Escape From Tarkov, a hardcore realistic military shooter where risk versus reward is the name of the game. While many have tried to be a part of the extraction shooter genre, one game goes beyond the traditional extraction shooter approach and brings in melee-focused combat to expand what many of us know and love about the extraction games. Is it too much of a change, or just what fans have been looking for? A change in pace and combat madness that will satisfy your hack and slashing desires that hooked me from the beginning.

Bellring Games is set to release Mistfall Hunter, a third-person action PvPvE extraction RPG game coming to players later this year for PC and Xbox consoles (Maybe PlayStation in the future). Mistfall Hunter pulls heavy inspiration from the extraction shooter genre and more importantly, the king of the genre, Escape from Tarkov. The dark fantasy setting brings a fresh feel to the genre, something not found in current extraction games. We play as a Gyldhunter that has been resurrected by the enigmatic Dew, our savior who travels the mortal world to save fallen heroes to become legendary Gyldhunters. A battle of the Gods and the Outer Gods ends in a devastating war spilling blood over the land, creating the Gyldmist and spreading corruption and madness to those that walk the land.

This is the beginning of the lore building in which Bellring Games focuses on when setting up our tale. The lore is deep with the opportunity of storytelling that can be found throughout the world and its gameplay experience expands upon this approach, rich with lore and deeper gameplay mechanics.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

Like all good things, they eventually come to an end. My time with the play test set the bar rather high, in an unexpected way that has me asking, when will I be able to play next? I enjoy a good extraction game, but Mistfall Hunter is something special. Not only does it build upon what makes a good extraction game exciting. The thrill of risking it all to gather loot, knowing that one wrong turn could lead you into many of the furious foes scattered throughout, not to mention worse, another person looking to send you back to your camp empty-handed. But the gameplay loop of grinding for better loot and becoming a force others won’t know what hit them, is exactly what works so well. It’s the tension that builds going further and deeper into each run, not knowing if we’ll be able to grab the loot and make it out by the skin of your teeth or with the help of a Woodling (killing a Woodling grants you an item called Soul of Return, allowing you to extract at will) or by surviving long enough to make it to the Soul Tree before it withers away and extract from there.

Opportunity comes in waves for your extraction before the Gyldmist, a slow closing ring pushing everyone into an approaching circle of death, similar to that of a battle royale. However, it’s about the grind for new gear, better weapons, armor, leveling up your character of choice, expanding your camp and learning the items that will mean the most to you for that one last run. There is always an objective to achieve on your run, not just a grind for loot. Dew will ask you to help her in quests and grant you rewards, or other travelers that pop up and help fill in the camp as you learn their backstory and more about the troubling world around you.

Before We Begin

However, before we even start there, we must first choose our Gyldhunter. During the play test there were 5 classes to fit your playstyle — Mercenary, Sorcerer, Blackarrow, Shadowstrix and Seer. Each class has their own set of unique abilities, playstyle and skilltrees to upgrade. With each Gyldhunter having their own set of objectives and goals in search for the best loot, it's not a matter of each player heading out across the land for the same thing. Each encounter is different from the last. My character build of Blackarrow using a Bloodfly Arrow in combination with a Spore Arrow and the Predator’s Sense will always make for a fresh and exciting experience. Not only will my loadout be different from yours, so will my gear and its stats. Let’s head back to camp.

Setting Up Camp

Camp is your safe zone, a place to try out classes at the practice range, forge new gear from the findings of your last run. Talk to those around the camp about new tasks, upgrade your camp, gather daily and weekly challenges, shop or head to the auction house to see what Pip has in store. Forging gear for your next run always comes at a risk, as you may not make it back fully equipped if you are defeated, losing everything you found on your run, and the equipment you just created at the forge, unless you were smart enough to store two items away in the safe pouch. Guaranteed items that even in death, you get to keep.

It’s About The Hook

All games need a hook. If you don’t like extraction style games, then Mistfall Hunter probably isn’t the game for you. But if you love the idea of a dark fantasy setting with the vibes of Elden Ring that meets Escape From Tarkov, then this could be your next extraction thrill. Mistfall Hunter combines extraction gameplay with class-based combat, RPG progression and looter mechanics that forces players to extract before the Gyldmist ring closes in on everyone that I couldn’t get enough of.

The combat has a mix for everyone. The quick stealth of the Shadowstrix with their fast, piercing daggers, to the more distant shots of the Blackarrow, or an in-your-face approach to the tough bruisers of the Mercenary class. With its tight combat and mix of grotesque creatures roaming the land, Mistfall Hunter will have you heading out solo or squadding up with a team of three to become Gyldhunter legends.

What do you think of Mistfall Hunter? Let us know in the comments below.