[PREVIEW] Hangry – Cosmic Culinary Clash with Bite

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Hangry is an upcoming action RPG developed by Game Pill, a well-established Toronto-based game development studio with over 15 years of experience and more than 100 game credits. Known for their work on licensed titles with major brands like Disney, Marvel, and Nickelodeon, Game Pill is now venturing into original IP with Hangry, a self-described “snack ‘n’ slash” game.

You’re Hangry, a wolfish mercenary with an endless appetite, scouring the galaxy for monstrous meals to fuel both your evolution and the ambitions of Goutra, a sleazy underworld chef. This hybrid promises fast-paced combat and a food-driven twist on progression, all set in a bizarre universe where BBQ’d woodlands and candy-coated caverns hide delicious dangers. Slated for a late 2025 release on Steam (with more platforms hinted), it’s not out yet, but does it have the ingredients to sate RPG fans, or is it still seasoning in the pot?

A Galactic Smorgasbord

Considering the studio’s name, you would have expected a more polished and visually impressive game. Unfortunately, in this aspect, the game falls short. However, let’s not judge it too harshly, as it’s still in active development, and improvements are likely on the way. The visuals, powered by Unreal Engine, depict lush, edible landscapes, powdered sugar coasts, glowing candy forests, and ember-kissed woods, all brimming with personality. You’ll also encounter creatures like taco dogs and sushi hounds, which are as delicious as they are terrifying.

Despite the decent graphic elements, they’re just not good enough. There are visual glitches with plants and water, even the restaurant and bar in the game’s main hub. The animations are stiff and lack fluidity, and I wasn’t a fan of the finisher move animations, which looked choppy. Additionally, the game suffers from optimization issues, with frequent FPS drops and lag.

Chew or Be Chewed

The “snack ‘n’ slash” hook is simple yet bold: hunt, eat, evolve. Hangry slashes through foes with claws, guns, and grenades, chaining light and heavy attacks into combos and finishers. Eating defeated enemies (raw for quick boosts or cooked for bigger gains) upgrades your stats, abilities, and weapons, replacing traditional leveling systems. Hangry Mode, a rage-fueled transformation, takes things to the next level, turning you into a hulking beast capable of massive takedowns.

Outside the fighting, there’s eating and cooking, obviously. You can consume enemies raw on the spot to satisfy immediate hunger or harvest ingredients for later cooking (yes, you can cook in the game). Eating raw boosts Hangry’s abilities temporarily, while cooking dishes (using harvested parts) provides permanent upgrades. Recipes are tied to progression: cooking and serving dishes at Goutra’s diner unlocks new weapons, stat boosts (e.g., strength, speed), and abilities.

Additionally, you can “spend calories” to upgrade internal stats, abilities, and weaponry, allowing for customizable playstyles. For example, eating certain creatures might grant specific powers, like stealing a monster’s abilities. The game also introduces additional interesting mechanics, such as a tracking system that lets you follow footprints and stealthily approach enemies.

Stay Optimistic, But Keep Your Expectations in Check

Hangry looks promising as a quirky, genre-blending action RPG. Its blend of fast combat, food-driven progression, and a unique hunger mechanic could carve a niche in the indie scene. However, its success may hinge on how well the hunting-eating-evolving loop holds up over time and whether the humor lands consistently. The lack of a firm release date suggests it’s still cooking, but the ingredients so far, pun intended, seem tasty.

In all fairness, Hangry was actually quite a fun game to play. Whether it’s the fast-paced combat, the wide variety of combos, or the different hack-and-slash attack styles, there’s something here that will keep you hooked. Another strong point is the variety of enemies, each requiring a different approach and featuring unique attack patterns that stand out from what you’ve seen in similar games.

For now, it’s a succulent starter to watch; by late 2025, it might just plate up a full-course banger, or leave us peckish for polish. I’m going to stay optimistic. The voice acting and cinematic cutscenes left a bitter taste, given how poorly they were executed, but the game is still worth keeping on your radar, considering the fresh ideas it brings to the table. Hangry seems decent so far, but it still needs more polish before reaching its full potential.