Steel Hunters will be the next installment from the studio that created World of Tanks.

Steel Hunters is a new extraction-focused shooting game developed by the creators of World of Tanks. This title introduces an intriguing combination of extraction objectives with third-person tactical action, offering a free-to-play multiplayer experience centered on teams of two players. Its announcement was made at the Game Awards 2024, and early access is available through a closed beta lasting 10 days, to which players can sign up to participate.

This game is fully designed to be played in pairs, where each Hunter possesses a unique set of skills, similar to hero games, that complement each other. The developers use the term "duo symbiosis" to describe one of their design philosophies. In the battlefield, life or death is at stake, and every moment counts. Upon landing on the map, teams must start searching for stat points, upgrades, and other key objectives, as well as AI-controlled enemies. Strategy and collaboration will be essential to decide when to engage an enemy team or opt for alternative routes to avoid conflict.

Watching a private session of Steel Hunters, I was particularly impressed by the dual synergy between the Hunters. This relationship is comparable to that of an AD Carry and a Support in the bottom lane of a League of Legends match; both roles depend on each other’s positioning and communication to thrive. It is crucial for both to move as a unit to provide mutual support.

The creators emphasized that Steel Hunters is based on the idea that even the most skilled players are not meant to engage in 2v1 fights or achieve eliminations solo. The game is expected to adopt a tactical approach, forcing players to make decisions regarding their team's composition, strategic positioning on the map, and the right moment to use their abilities during combat.

Fights in Steel Hunters are intense. These imposing mechanical beings engage in ranged and melee attacks, where each hit carries notable weight, producing loud thuds or strikes. The Hunters offer a variety of options, ranging from those that take on wolf and bear forms to those that appear more humanoid.

During a preview, a condensed fight was showcased in which six teams of two battled for positional advantages and objectives on the map. A Hunter was seen utilizing enhanced mobility to surprise an enemy team while their partner provided long-range support fire, diverting the enemy's attention.

Steel Hunters seeks to challenge the current trend in content creation, which often focuses on the next viral "clip" or spectacular feats. This game aims to be more decision-driven than reflex-based, which is an interesting proposition in a space where viral content pervades even the most casual encounters.

A match concludes when only one team remains standing or all objectives have been completed, allowing a team to successfully extract from the zone. As the game progresses, players are encouraged to confront rival teams. An early elimination can lead to an increase in experience, speeding up the progression to level three and unlocking secondary abilities that offer advantages in later encounters. Players also receive a Colossus Kit as a reward for completing certain map objectives, transforming their Hunter into a colossal monster that deals more damage and has a larger health pool. This temporary upgrade can make a difference in a confrontation and enable players to rack up additional eliminations in challenging situations.

Steel Hunters is shaping up to be an exciting project for the developers and stands out as an interesting title to follow heading into 2025. Its combination of real-time combat and tactical decision-making promises to bring something fresh to the extraction game genre, generating anticipation among fans of titles like World of Tanks and those drawn to this new universe of impressive mechs.