In the Hunt

Gameplay involves shooting enemies, collecting power-up items, and avoiding collision with projectiles. It runs on the Irem M-92 hardware. The game was conceived by Kazuma Kujo, and designed by the same group of people that later went on to found Nazca Corporation, the creators of the Metal Slug series. Kujo was inspired to create a water-based shooter, with player-dependent scrolling and simultaneous multiplayer being its main focus. The overall concept of submarine warfare was inspired by Kujo's leisure with a water fountain. Met with mixed reception from critics since its initial release, specifically the home conversions; common complaints were towards the lack of innovation and slowdown, although it was praised for its detailed graphics and gameplay. Nevertheless, it has since gained a cult following in Japan.

• Title — In the Hunt • Developer — Irem • Publisher — PlayStation Saturn Windows Xing Entertainment • Designer — Kazuma Kujo • Artist — Akio Oyabu • Platforms — Arcade, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Windows • Released — ArcadeApril 1993 PlayStation Saturn Windows • Genre — Scrolling shooter • Modes — Single-player, multiplayer • Arcade System — Irem M-92

• Illustration — The Granvia fighting Argock, the game's first boss (arcade version). In the Hunt is an underwater-themed scrolling shooter, with its gameplay described as a cross between Metal Slug (1996) and R-Type (1987). The plot involves an evil organization named the D.A.S. ("Destroy and Slaughter" in Japanese; "Dark Anarchy Society" overseas) attempting to launch a superweapon over a post-apocalyptic earth. To stop this, a submarine named the Granvia is deployed to stop the D.A.S. and protect what is left of the planet. The game does not scroll automatically, as the player is able to move the Granvia at their own will. In each level, the objective is to destroy enemies, avoid their projectiles, and defeat the end level boss. The Granvia begins the game with forward-moving missiles, which defeat most enemies with one hit. Missiles can be launched upwards to destroy aerial enemies like helicopters and planes. Destroying specific enemy types rewards the player with a power-up, which give the Granvia access to new weapon types. Weapons include a powerful machine gun, a wave cannon, and a "cracker" shot that launches a barrage of bullets at enemies. Some enemies drop red orbs embossed with stars, which award bonus points when collected. The game has multiple endings.

In the Hunt was designed by a group of Irem employees that would later go on to found Nazca Corporation, the creators of the Metal Slug series. Kazuma Kujo served as its designer, writing the concept and overseeing development of the project during his time working at Irem. Kujo stated that plans for a shoot 'em up title had already been settled by the management at Irem, however he decided to make it for co-op play but disliked genre conventions such as forced scrolling and wanted the thematic to be different instead of the standard space motive found in other shooters at the time. The concept of playing as submarines was inspired during Kujo's leisure near a fountain which, after hearing the water sounds, prompted him to pursue the idea. Artist Akio Oyabu served as the game's graphic designer. In the Hunt was first released in arcades in April 1993, running on the Irem M-92 board. The game was ported to the Sega Saturn and PlayStation in 1995 by Tsuji Jimusho and SIMS respectively, followed by a Microsoft Windows version in 1997 by Xing Entertainment. They were released internationally by THQ under their Kokopeli Digital Studios label. A Super Nintendo Entertainment System conversion was shown at the 1994 Consumer Electronics Show in a playable state, but was never released. In 2019, Hamster Corporation released the game under their Arcade Archives series for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.