A Fading Echo: Why Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact’s Player Count Signals a Troubled Launch

The fighting game genre, once a niche corner of the gaming world, has seen a resurgence in recent years, fueled by major titles and a growing esports scene. When Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact was announced, fans of the beloved anime and fighting game enthusiasts alike were filled with anticipation. A 3v3 tag fighter from Eighting, a studio known for its work on Marvel vs. Capcom 3, seemed like a match made in heaven. However, a shockingly low concurrent player count on Steam suggests the game is in a dire situation, leading many to question if it’s already “dead on arrival.”

The Alarming Numbers and the “Fighting Game Fumble”

The data from platforms like Steam Charts and SteamDB paints a grim picture. Since its recent launch, Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact has consistently struggled to maintain a double-digit player count, often hovering with fewer than 10 concurrent players. For a new release, especially one tied to a globally recognized IP, these numbers are not just low—they are catastrophic. The all-time peak player count, while higher, quickly plummeted, indicating that initial curiosity did not translate into sustained engagement. This trend is a death knell for any online-focused title, particularly in a genre that thrives on a healthy, competitive player base.

The fighting game community is a discerning one. Without a strong online population, matchmaking becomes a frustrating and often futile exercise. Players can’t find opponents, which forces them to move on to other games. This creates a vicious cycle: fewer players lead to longer queues, which in turn drives away even more players, further shrinking the community. The game’s future hinges on its ability to reverse this trend, a task that becomes increasingly difficult the longer the player count remains in the single digits.

Under the Hood: Key Issues Plaguing the Game

The low player count isn’t an anomaly; it’s a symptom of deeper issues that have been highlighted by critics and early players alike. Several critical failures have conspired to create this unfortunate outcome.

• Netcode Nightmares:

   

  One of the most significant and immediate complaints from the community has been the game’s online performance. Despite the developers delaying the game to implement rollback netcode—a crucial feature for modern fighting games—reviews and player feedback indicate the implementation is flawed. Reports of lag spikes, desynchronization, and excessive rollback frames have made online matches an inconsistent and frustrating experience. In a genre where flawless online play is paramount, this is an unforgivable flaw.

• Bland Presentation & Lack of Content:

   

  For a game based on a visually striking and narratively rich anime, the presentation of Nen x Impact is surprisingly lackluster. Character models, while accurate, are often criticized for their stiff animations and a general lack of flair. The single-player content is also reportedly bare-bones. A “story mode” consisting of simple anime stills and a brief text summary fails to do justice to the original manga and anime’s epic arcs, leaving newcomers and fans feeling shortchanged.

• Questionable Roster and Balance:

   

  While the game’s core fighting mechanics have been praised for their fast-paced, Marvel vs. Capcom-like feel, there are concerns about its roster and balancing. The initial roster is considered small for a 3v3 tag fighter, and some character choices are puzzling, with fan-favorite Phantom Troupe members notably absent. Additionally, there are reports of significant balance issues, with some characters and combos being overly powerful and exploitable, which can quickly alienate players looking for a fair and competitive experience.

• Marketing and Pricing Missteps:

   

  The game’s marketing was minimal, failing to build significant hype or reach a broad audience beyond dedicated fans. Compounding this, the game was launched with a premium price point, which many felt was not justified by the amount of content or polish on offer. In a market with strong competitors like Street Fighter 6 and the upcoming free-to-play tag fighter 2XKO, a high price tag for a game with these issues is a tough sell.

The Road Ahead: Can It Be Saved?

The developers have a challenging road ahead. While they have a planned DLC roadmap with new characters to be released over the next year, including Neferpitou, Phinks, Shizuku, and Zeno, this content may not be enough to save the game if the fundamental issues aren’t addressed first. A full-fledged netcode overhaul and significant balancing patches would be required to win back the trust of the fighting game community. Without a strong, stable online foundation, no amount of new characters or content will be able to revive the game’s player base. As of now, the future of Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact seems to be in a perilous state, a stark reminder that even a beloved franchise can’t guarantee a game’s success without proper execution.