If you’ve been itching to dive into something fresh this weekend without burning a hole in your wallet, Steel Hunters might be exactly what you’re looking for. This free-to-play PvPvE mech shooter from Wargaming Group just entered early access—and while it’s launched to a mixed bag of reviews, it’s already turning heads with its explosive gameplay and tactical depth.
For those still holding out hope for a Titanfall 3, Steel Hunters could be the next best thing. This game throws you into high-octane combat where six duos face off in massive mechanical rigs, all vying to be the last team standing and extracting from the Hunting Grounds.
“Only one can extract from the Hunting Grounds,” teases the game’s synopsis.
A Post-Apocalyptic World Where Only the Strongest Duos Survive
Set in a lush but ruined Earth, Steel Hunters paints a grim vision of a world where survival depends on a resource called Starfall. Following a cataclysmic event, humans created “Hunters”—massive, weaponized mechs—to retrieve and protect this alien substance.
“Driven by ruthless factions, these fearsome mechanical giants have now become the key to dominate the scarce resource across the ruins of a green but abandoned Earth,” the developers explain.
Whether you prefer high-impact, front-line warfare or stealthy, strategic flanking, there’s a mech loadout and playstyle for you. But regardless of how you play, one thing is clear: team synergy is everything.
Tactical Decisions and Environmental Destruction
Each match challenges duos to coordinate, adapt, and outmaneuver both player enemies and in-world threats. You’ll be tearing through structures, scavenging Starfall, and deciding in real-time whether to engage head-on or outflank your rivals.
It’s chaotic. It’s cinematic. It’s the kind of game where communication and cooperation genuinely matter.
Early Access: Growing Pains or Opportunity?
Steel Hunters hit early access just last week, and while many players are singing its praises for its core gameplay, concerns have surfaced around monetisation strategies—a common hurdle in free-to-play titles.
But it’s worth remembering: early access exists to fine-tune. The devs are actively collecting feedback, and there’s still plenty of room for improvements and balance adjustments.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a new game to jump into this weekend—especially one that won’t cost you anything upfront—Steel Hunters is well worth a download. It may not be perfect yet, but its mech combat, unique setting, and duo-based tactics offer a fresh twist on the competitive shooter genre.
So, what will you be playing this weekend? Between standout indie gems like Blue Prince (which just scored a perfect 10 from my colleague Ewan Moore), and narrative-rich adventures like South of Midnight, there’s no shortage of choice.
But for fans of giant robots, explosive PvP action, and free-to-play thrills? Steel Hunters is a solid pick.
