Murderous Pursuits is a multiplayer stealth game set in a Victorian era aboard the HMCS Britannic, a colonial time ship. Players take on the role of one of sixteen nefarious killers who must identify and eliminate a designated target known as the Quarry while avoiding detection from other hunters and onboard guards. The core loop revolves around blending into crowds of passengers, managing exposure levels, and striking at the right moment with high-value weapons to maximize points without revealing your position.
Gameplay
The central tension comes from balancing aggression and caution in shared environments. Each player tracks their Quarry using a dedicated interface while monitoring a Hunter Indicator that signals incoming threats. Exposure rises when actions draw attention, such as failing to act like an ordinary passenger, which alerts both the Quarry and potential hunters. Guards patrol the ship and intervene against visible killers, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from rivals.
Success depends on locating better weapons for higher point values, executing kills discreetly, and using abilities like disguise to remain hidden or flash and counter to disrupt pursuers. Players select two abilities per match from a pool of eight and can equip perks to adjust movement, detection resistance, or scoring bonuses. Sixteen distinct killer archetypes offer varied playstyles, from calculated approaches to more aggressive ones, with options to customize appearance for better crowd blending.
Environments across seven locations encourage creative use of busy areas like the Music Hall for hiding in plain sight or quieter spots such as the Engine House for ambushes. The system rewards players who keep exposure low while accumulating points through efficient eliminations and weapon choices rather than reckless aggression.
Game Modes
Three distinct modes shape the experience. In Hunt, each participant has a single Quarry to pursue amid the full roster of hunters, creating focused cat-and-mouse dynamics. Free-For-All removes fixed targets so every player serves as both hunter and potential Quarry, leading to constant vigilance and opportunistic strikes. Elimination functions as a last-player-standing format where participants are removed upon death, narrowing the field over time.
Matches support up to eight participants and include options for custom rules alongside AI bots that provide challenging opposition in solo sessions. These modes emphasize different risk-reward calculations, with Hunt favoring methodical stalking and Free-For-All rewarding adaptability across shifting threats.
Progression and Customization
Players advance through leaderboards focused on total kills or other tracked statistics such as pies consumed during matches. Earning favor requires more than basic eliminations; it demands discreet approaches, high-value weapon use, and stylish finishes that align with the game's emphasis on calculated villainy. Perk selection allows experimentation with different loadouts across matches to refine personal strategies.
Custom game support lets groups adjust parameters for private sessions, while bots fill lobbies for practice or solo play. The sixteen killers and their skins provide visual variety that aids in maintaining cover among passengers.
Is It Worth Playing?
Murderous Pursuits appeals most to players who enjoy social stealth mechanics and cat-and-mouse tension in small groups. Its mixed reception on Steam reflects strengths in core systems alongside limitations in content variety and long-term population. The game supports solo play through bots and private matches with friends, making it suitable for short sessions rather than large-scale competitive scenes.
Those drawn to Victorian-themed multiplayer stealth with emphasis on blending, ability timing, and point optimization will find the loop engaging. Current player numbers remain low, so success depends on coordinating with others or relying on AI opponents. It suits fans of deliberate pacing over fast action and rewards repeated play to master exposure management and ability combinations.
