Huntsman Coming November 27th! Massive, Deadly Spiders?!? You’re Gonna Need a Big Boot!
After a demo that left players at Steam Next Fest with phantom itches, the first-person survival horror game Huntsman is officially set to crawl onto Steam on November 27th. Developed by OnTheHouse Studio and published by Ten Image Publishing, this game looks to tap into that primal fear of things with too many legs and too many eyes.
Huntsman Demo’s Reception
Ten Image founder Chris White mentioned that the demo’s reception was “incredible,” with tens of thousands of players providing feedback as they dipped their toes into the game’s creepy world. To mark the occasion, the developers have kicked off a “Creature Feature” series, giving us a closer, more intimate (and frankly, unwelcome) look at the eight-legged freaks that have taken over Atherton Laboratories. The first episode, naturally, focuses on the titular Huntsman spider.
What Kind of Nightmares Await in Huntsman?
The new trailer gives us our first proper introduction to the Huntsman spider within the game. These aren’t your garden-variety spiders; they are fast, aggressive, and hunt using sound. Make too much noise—say, by running through (which is a totally normal reaction)—and you’ll have a scurrying predator on your tail in seconds. The key to survival seems to be moving cautiously, or, for the more clever players, using the environment to create distractions.
The Arachnid “Creature Feature” Series: Episodes Two Through Four
The “Creature Feature” series promises to introduce us to the full roster of horrors. Episode Two, which is set to drop later this week, will shine a spotlight on the Orb Weaver. Unlike the aggressive Huntsman, these guys are ambush predators. They lurk in the darkness above, waiting to snatch unsuspecting victims and cocoon them alive in silk. While they tend to stick to hiding, they’re masters of camouflage in the dark. Use throwable items to make them retreat, giving you a brief window to high-tail out of there.
Episodes Three and Four will unveil the final two spider types, each with its own unique behaviors and hunting patterns. We don’t know what they are yet, but I’m putting my money on something that jumps far distances, spits acid, or snatches you down holes (and I will stop talking now). Because why not, right? The goal is to ensure you never, ever feel safe.
Episode One: The Huntsman
In Huntsman, you take on the unenviable role of the new security guard at Atherton Laboratories. It’s your first day, and unfortunately, it coincides with a full-blown, facility-wide spider apocalypse. The entire lab is in lockdown, you’re defenseless, and you’re severely outnumbered by things that want to use your body as an egg incubator.
To survive, you’ll need to navigate the dark, claustrophobic corridors of the lab, find a way to deal with the spider infestation, and lift the lockdown to escape. It’s a classic survival horror setup that preys on feelings of isolation and powerlessness. You have no weapons, only your wits and whatever you can find to distract the eight-legged monstrosities standing between you and salvation (just like Outlast.)
Final Thoughts: Araconphobia In Waves
The trailer gave us less than a minute of what to expect, and it will make you twitch every time the creature shows itself (thus the whole time). Huntsman crawls in as Episode One of this heart-stopping anxiety fun fair. For anyone who has ever flinched at a spider in the corner of their room, Huntsman looks like the perfect blend of terror and catharsis. It’s a chance to face your fears head-on, albeit from the relative safety of your computer chair.
