HUNGER on Steam blends extraction shooter combat with RPG progression

Extraction shooters keep multiplying on Steam, and the genre’s momentum is pushing developers to rethink the rules. With HUNGER, the next attempt at “what’s next” mixes brutal expedition gameplay with long-term first-person RPG-style progression—set in a plague-ravaged Napoleonic Europe that leans into Bloodborne-like aesthetics.

Why HUNGER is arriving now: extraction shooters keep evolving

ARC Raiders helped expand extraction shooter appeal, and the wave that followed is forcing new releases to stand out. The source details a market where upcoming Steam shooters are iterating on the established loop—scavenge, survive, and improve—while adding elements from other genres. In that context, HUNGER positions itself as a hybrid that doesn’t just borrow the extraction shooter formula, but blends it with RPG character development.

The game’s tone is also part of its pitch: it’s described as taking on the brutal, decayed look associated with Bloodborne, while keeping the expedition structure that players expect from extraction shooters. The result is meant to feel familiar in gameplay rhythm, yet distinct in how combat and progression are handled.

A plague-ravaged Napoleonic world—and a different kind of scavenging

HUNGER sends players into an alternative Napoleonic Europe after a bacterium outbreak spreads disease and fear. Players take on plague doctor-like protection as they head into the “World After the End” to scavenge resources and help survivors back at the multiplayer hub, the Chateau.

Combat is built around both firearms and melee. The source highlights black powder rifles and pistols, along with crude semi-automatic firearms and melee options like axes and claymores. Enemies include the plague-afflicted “Hunger,” while other players are “Living.” As in other extraction shooters, dying on an expedition means losing the gear and weapons acquired during that run—but HUNGER counters that risk with permanent upgrades.

One of the more notable social layers is a player-driven marketplace. Players can sell crafted goods and materials to other players within the Chateau hub, adding a trading and interaction component to the survival loop.

RPG progression is the core differentiator (and it’s built deep)

Where HUNGER aims to separate itself is its long-term progression system. The game is designed to feel like a first-person RPG wrapped in extraction shooter expeditions, using permanent skill progression that goes beyond typical “unlock” mechanics.

According to the source, HUNGER uses unlockable Passive, Tactical, and Ultimate abilities, customizable through a mastery tree featuring over 100 talents. This setup is intended to support buildcrafting—players shaping their combat style over time, rather than only chasing short-term power spikes.

HUNGER also includes both PvP and PvE, plus an endgame loop that extends beyond standard expeditions into dungeon exploration and boss encounters. Other confirmed features include no forced wipes, proximity VOIP during expeditions, and player-driven crafting and professions. Early Access is planned for 2026, with no release date announced beyond that window.

What to watch next as Early Access approaches

HUNGER’s Early Access plan outlines three large, distinct maps at launch, along with more content to follow, including over thirty weapons and a large variety of gadgets, medicines, and tools. The game also promises hybrid shooting-and-slashing combat, extensive customization (characters, bags, and weapons), and in-depth quests and storylines.

As the extraction shooter field grows more crowded, HUNGER’s success will likely hinge on how well its progression systems integrate with expedition tension—especially the promise of permanent upgrades without forced wipes. If the mastery tree and endgame structure land, it could become a compelling alternative for players who want both looting pressure and RPG-style character identity.

Key points

• HUNGER blends extraction shooter expeditions with deep, permanent RPG-style skill progression.
• Set in plague-ravaged Napoleonic Europe, it uses plague doctor protection and Bloodborne-like horror aesthetics.
• Combat mixes firearms and melee, with threats from both plague-afflicted enemies (“Hunger”) and other players (“Living”).
• Early Access is planned for 2026, with no forced wipes and a player-driven marketplace in the Chateau hub.

Expert View

HUNGER’s pitch reflects where extraction shooters are heading: not just more maps and weapons, but stronger “reasons to care” between runs. The emphasis on permanent abilities, a large talent tree, no forced wipes, and a marketplace suggests a push toward long-term player investment—something that can stabilize communities and keep the endgame relevant. If the game executes its RPG buildcrafting without undermining expedition risk, it could signal that the genre’s next competitive edge won’t be faster looting, but deeper identity and progression.