TROLLHÄTTAN, Sweden — Swedish developer Easy Trigger Games and publisher Coffee Stain Publishing have unveiled HUNTDOWN: OVERTIME, a new roguelite prequel to the studio’s critically acclaimed run-and-gun shooter Huntdown. The title is slated to enter early access on Steam in 2026, the companies said on Tuesday.
Revealed from Easy Trigger’s home base in Trollhättan, HUNTDOWN: OVERTIME marks a notable shift for the franchise, blending its signature 16-bit, VHS-era action aesthetic with roguelite progression systems. Set before the events of the original game, the prequel follows protagonist John Sawyer as he evolves from a battered bounty hunter into the cybernetic enforcer players encountered in Huntdown.
According to the developers, the new title is designed to stand on its own while also deepening the lore of the series. Players are dropped into fast-paced, procedurally varied runs inspired by 1980s action cinema, with each death serving as a stepping stone rather than a setback. Failed attempts send Sawyer back to an operating table, where permanent cybernetic upgrades replace flesh with steel, gradually reshaping both his abilities and playstyle.
“OVERTIME is a very different game from the original Huntdown,” said Tommy Gustafsson, Art Director at Easy Trigger Games. “We’ve tried to capture that relentless, forward-momentum gunplay from classic action movies and modern ones like John Wick. Then we added a massive arsenal, cybernetic upgrades that reshape your playstyle, and wrapped it in a roguelite loop. The result is something we hope captures the badass spirit of 80s cinema while giving you a reason to keep hunting run after run.”
At its core, HUNTDOWN: OVERTIME introduces what the studio describes as a “brutal roguelite loop.” Players move through branching paths across gang-controlled territories, wastelands and other hostile environments, collecting bounties and weaponry along the way. Death is positioned not as failure, but as progression, unlocking permanent enhancements that allow deeper and more aggressive runs in subsequent attempts.
The game also expands the franchise’s combat toolkit. In addition to firearms, players can discover melee weapons and tactical gear during each run, encouraging experimentation and adaptability. This variety is reinforced by the title’s branching criminal underworld, which offers multiple routes and encounters, increasing replayability.
Visually, Easy Trigger is leaning heavily into its established style. The studio describes the presentation as “handcrafted pixel brutality,” combining meticulous 16-bit pixel art with modern lighting techniques to evoke an authentic early-1980s aesthetic. The result is intended to mirror the grindhouse tone of the gameplay, which openly references the excess and spectacle of classic action films.
For Coffee Stain Publishing, HUNTDOWN: OVERTIME represents another addition to a portfolio known for blending strong identities with unconventional mechanics. The publisher, founded in 2010, has built an international reputation through both internal projects and partnerships with independent studios, helping niche titles reach a global audience.
While no specific launch date has been announced beyond the 2026 early access window, the companies say more information will be shared via the game’s Steam store page and community channels in the coming months. A reveal trailer has already been released, offering a first look at the new mechanics and tone.
With HUNTDOWN: OVERTIME, Easy Trigger Games appears to be leveraging the goodwill of its original hit while taking a calculated risk on a new structure. If successful, the prequel could broaden the franchise’s appeal, attracting both returning fans and newcomers drawn to its blend of retro action and modern roguelite design.
