Gravhounds Deep Rock Galactic Style Extraction Shooter Preview
The world of extraction shooters is ripe for a refresh, and developer Octopus Panic has thrown a delightfully absurd curveball with Gravhounds, a title that mixes high-octane action with some seriously fuzzy canine flair. This new PvE experience isn’t just about blasting enemies; it’s about leading a squad of canine hybrids through alien worlds, relying on both speed and ingenious pipeline systems to survive and thrive.
At the heart of the game are four distinct Gravhounds, each a human/canine hybrid with unique stats and special abilities. Players choose from characters like Zane the Doberman, Finn the Shiba Inu, Selene the Weimaraner, and Dozer the Bulldog, each bringing a slightly different dynamic to the hunt. Whether you’re looking to utilize Zane’s bark to push back foes or Dozer’s bone-shaped mines to create accidental explosions, the character selection immediately adds depth to the team dynamic.
Beyond the chase and blast, the core gameplay revolves around fast-paced traversal. Navigation through alien landscapes is driven by boosting and dashing, demanding quick reflexes as teams race across treacherous terrain. But what truly separates Gravhounds is the brilliant addition of the pipeline mechanic. Spreading out from your collector ship, players can establish a network of pipes that automatically tow gathered resources back to the ship. This system turns mundane resource gathering into a strategic puzzle, allowing teams to carve out efficient routes and build powerful defensive structures along the way.
These pipelines aren’t just for transport; they are vital for strategy. Teams can build formidable turrets at each node, creating kill boxes that protect resource delivery lines, turning the movement itself into a tactical advantage. Mastering the flow of resources and positioning these defensive structures is key to surviving the increasingly intense waves of enemies that lurk on the surface.
The progression system deepens the experience, offering a roguelike element through special reward pods. After completing missions, players can unlock mods from research labs to customize their Gravhounds and weaponry. While some combinations offer truly satisfying, game-changing upgrades—like combining gravity balls with rockets—others feel disappointingly mundane. This variability in the reward pool is a source of excitement, though some players feel the grind for research tokens and arbitrary milestone goals detracts from the joy of progression.
However, the aesthetic, while whimsical, leaves some room for refinement. The artistic choice—human bodies with dog heads—is inspired by nostalgic video content, but many players wish for more genuine canine personality to shine through. There’s a desire for more expressive features, like tails or vocalizations, that move beyond mere masks and fully embrace the lovable, hard-working nature of the dogs themselves.
Ultimately, Gravhounds delivers a compelling, high-speed extraction experience grounded by clever resource management. With the potential for further refinement in character design and progression balance, this game sets a high bar, promising both adrenaline-fueled action and a unique, furry take on sci-fi adventure.
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