Amazon Games and developer Relentless Studios have announced the launch of free-to-play competitive team-based shooter Crucible.

As stated in the press release (via Business Wire), players are tasked with being a hunter, working together to hunt down foes and hostile creatures on a lush alien world full of Essence. Along with being valuable, this substance only increases the hunters’ powers.

The game has ten hunters at launch, each with their own weapons and abilities. As players defeat foes, they level up and can enhance their abilities.

The three game modes at launch include Heart of Hives (a 4 vs. 4 mode where players must destroy Hives, and be the first to capture three Hearts), Alpha Hunters (8 teams of two try to be the last team standing), and Harvester command (two 8 person teams try to capture and hold Harvesters until 100 points have been accumulated).

To celebrate the launch, Crucible will begin it’s 8-week Pre-Season, so players can hone their skills before Season 1 begins. Those who log into the game by June 2nd will get 1,000 Credits. Credits are used for cosmetic items, and the Pre-Season Battle Pass (for 950 Credits). This Pre-Season Battle Pass allows players to access challenges, which reward players with hunter and account customization options.

Crucible also has three founders packs, each featuring exclusive skins and customization options, along with Credits. You can find the rundown on each of these packs (via Steam) along with their pricing below.

“The Tracker Founder’s Pack bundles up an exclusive epic skin for Captain Mendoza, 500 in-game Credits, the Pre-Season Battle Pass, and 100 battle stars—enough to instantly unlock 10 levels of rewards!” [$14.99 USD]

“The Predator Founder’s Pack will set you up with an exclusive epic skin for Captain Mendoza, 1,000 in-game Credits, a key to select your choice from a collection of legendary character skins, the Pre-Season Battle Pass, and 200 battle stars—enough to instantly unlock 20 levels of rewards!” [$24.99 USD]

“The Alpha Hunter Founder’s Pack has it all! When you buy this pack, you’ll get: an exclusive epic skin for Captain Mendoza, 6,000 in-game Credits, the Gold Hammer Stability Pod drop pod skin, a key to select your choice from a collection of legendary character skins, the Pre-Season Battle Pass, and 400 battle stars—enough to instantly unlock 40 levels of rewards!” [$49.99 USD]

You can find the launch trailer below.

You can find the full rundown (via Steam) below.

Welcome to Crucible
Crucible is a team-based action shooter driven by the choices you make. Each match in Crucible is a fight for survival and control. Not only will you be going toe-to-toe with your fellow competitors, but you’ll have to adapt and overcome all the challenges the planet itself throws your way. You and your teammates will need to work together to take down alien creatures, capture objectives, and pursue your opponents in search of victory.

HUNT LEVEL ADAPT
Whether you prefer to bring an axe to a gunfight, think that the best way to solve problems is by lighting them on fire, or want to keep your options open with multiple weapons, there’s a hunter to suit your playstyle. Crucible‘s 10 hunters each come with their own unique set of abilities—how you use them is up to you.

• Begin every match on a level playing field. Each hunter has their full array of weapons and abilities at their disposal from the word “go.”
• Before each match, you’ll select which upgrades to unlock as you level up. With these upgrades, you can define how your hunter fights. Bring along additional utility and tricks or go all-in on your damage output—it’s up to you.
• Essence is a strange substance with incredible properties, and it’s the object of all the commotion on the planet Crucible. You can get it from opponents and creatures you kill, or by controlling objectives. As you collect Essence, you’ll level up.You’ll get access to your pre-selected upgrades with each of your first five levels. After that, more levels mean more power and health.
• Use your abilities and your wits to master the environment and battle conditions around you. Learn the lay of the land and use it to your advantage. Capitalize on events, grab all the Essence you can, hunt down the opposition, and claim victory.

Fight in 3 Game Modes
Heart of the Hives
Hives are lethal drone-spitting terrors that spawn across the battlefield. Capturing the hearts they leave behind as they die is your key to victory. Each match is a four-on-four fight to be the first team to capture three hearts.

Alpha Hunters
There are no safety nets in Alpha Hunters: once you fall in combat, that’s it. Eight teams of two fight to be the last team—or solo hunter—standing. If your teammate dies, you can form a temporary alliance with another hunter, but that temporary truce will be broken if both of you make it to the final three.

Harvester Command
Essence harvesters are scattered across Crucible’s surface. Each one you control generates Essence points for your eight-player team. Each harvester your enemies hold will cancel out your own. You’ll need to control a majority of harvesters in order to rack up any Essence—the more, the better. You can also take out enemy hunters for points. The first team to 100 points wins!

Crucible is available now on Windows PC (via Steam), and is free to play.

Image: Steam