Mistfall Hunter, which turned quite a few heads during the Steam Next Fest last June, is finally charging towards its July 30 release. Set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic dark fantasy world where the blood of fallen gods has seeped into the earth as golden mist, the game casts you as a hunter brought back to life by a mysterious girl named Rue, tasked with venturing into the forbidden lands.

The game follows the classic 'high risk, high reward' gospel of hardcore extraction shooters. You must brave fields teeming with ruthless monsters and greedy rival hunters, secure your loot, and hunt down the 'Woodling' to trigger an escape portal. Fail to make it out, and you lose everything you’ve scavenged; succeed, and you walk away with the spoils of war.

There are six classes on offer, each boasting unique weaponry and playstyles. The 'Mercenary' is your go-to for head-on collisions with swords, shields, or hammers, while the 'Mage' leans into elemental reactions and stardust magic to unleash raw destruction.

Then there is the 'Shadow Strix', a specialist in hit-and-run tactics with daggers and twin blades, and the 'Black Arrow', who exploits terrain from a distance with a bow. To keep the squad going, the 'Prophet' uses divine arts for healing and protection, while the 'Forsaken Knight' brings a heavier, more tactical feel with parry-based combat and thorny defensive abilities.

The combat is a third-person, non-targeting affair that demands a sharp mind for psychological warfare. Interestingly, the developers have decoupled the dodge action from the stamina gauge; while dodging doesn't consume stamina, it is limited by a charge count, creating a combat flow that feels both snappy and measured.

When facing other players, you’ll need to master the terrain and your class’s mobility. Expect a dance where melee fighters rush to close the gap, while ranged classes jump and kite to keep their distance. Making the most of environmental tools, like movement-restricting traps or damage-reduction gear, is often the difference between winning and being sent back to the lobby.

You will be fighting for survival across various locales drenched in dark fantasy atmosphere. There is the grim, oppressive 'Brand Fortress' and the 'Sacred Forest', a dense, multi-layered woodland. Beyond the primary goal of escaping, various sub-quests and hidden secrets are scattered throughout to keep the exploration engaging.

Each region is guarded by formidable monsters and bosses. Take the Sacred Forest, for instance, where the 'Cursed Moonlight Wraith'—born from a botched experiment to summon a deity—lurks. Initially, the boss hides behind veils and crescent decorations, but once the fight intensifies, it unfurls blood-soaked wings to launch a relentless assault.

The 'Valg' tribe, radiating a primal energy, are equally threatening. With an aesthetic blend of ancient American civilization, totems, and ornate gold, they evoke a mysterious, wild vibe. The world-building extends further with eerie locations like giant corpses on coastal highlands and ritualistic forests, adding real depth to the lore.

Once you’ve escaped the chaos, you’ll retreat to 'Windrest' to prepare for your next outing. Here, you can spend resources to manage your stash, tinker with gear, customise your appearance, or hone new skills. You can also slot gems into your equipment to fine-tune your stats.

If you aren't in the mood to hit the battlefield, you can dispatch a 'Collector Squad'. As you upgrade your base, these squads grow in size and capability. By balancing the costs against potential rewards, you can keep the materials rolling in even when you're logged off.

Finally, the game includes a safety net for those 'oops' moments. If you die to monsters or gravity rather than a player, you turn into a spirit and get a chance to resurrect at a nearby shrine. Retrieve your corpse before it decays, and your precious gear stays yours, saving you from the frustration of losing everything to a simple slip-up.