The space bounty hunter archetype is universally appealing, offering the allure of adventure and chaos in an alien world. Unfortunately, opportunities to explore this fantasy in video games have been scarce. Almost a decade ago, hopes for Prey 2, a sequel to the 2006 shooter, came crashing down when it was scrapped in 2014 after encountering severe developmental issues and studio changes.

Recently, a set of purportedly leaked gameplay videos have surfaced, showcasing 20 minutes of development footage that reignites interest in what could have been. These clips reveal players assuming the role of a bounty hunter in a vibrant, sprawling alien city, chasing targets and engaging with various elements of gameplay, such as scanning pedestrians for bounties.

Although these clips are raw and showcase the game’s unfinished state, they demonstrate a promising mix of frantic action and immersive storytelling that fans had longed for. A notable highlight is a demo playthrough, where you chase bounties through immersive environments reminiscent of Star Wars’ Coruscant.

While the leaked footage provides a glimpse into the ambitious project and stirs nostalgia, it painfully reminds us of the absence of quality sci-fi bounty hunting experiences in gaming today.

Watch the demo playthrough here and reflect on this near-miss in gaming history.