Evolve is no longer playable: 2K Support says the game’s servers were shut down on July 6, 2023. Before that, Turtle Rock Studios’ Evolve offered an unusual four-versus-one hunt: four Hunters pursued one player-controlled Monster that could feed, grow stronger, and turn the chase around.
What was Evolve?
Evolve was an asymmetrical multiplayer game developed by Turtle Rock Studios, the studio associated with Left 4 Dead. Its central match paired four Hunters against one player-controlled Monster. The Hunters coordinated to track and stop their target; the Monster tried to evade them and grow powerful enough to fight back.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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EVOLVE Ultimate Edition | $32.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Evolve (PS4) | $13.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Evolve - PlayStation 4 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Chronos: Before the Ashes - PlayStation 4 (PS4) | $34.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Take Two Interactive - Take Two Interactive Ps4 Evolve - 5026555417327 | $21.77 | Buy on Amazon |
The game was released for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC, according to Take-Two Interactive’s release announcement. Its four-Hunter, one-Monster structure was the defining idea, not a conventional team-versus-team shooter format.
How did a match work?
Hunters: track and contain
The four Hunters worked as a team to find and stop the Monster before it gained too much strength. Their challenge was to close the distance and keep the pursuit coordinated while the target moved through the environment.
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- Complete Ultimate Edition: Experience the full Evolve universe with this comprehensive package that includes the base game plus all major expansions - Monster Expansion Pack, Hunting Season 1, and Hunting Season 2, delivering the most complete gameplay experience available
- Asymmetric Multiplayer Action: Engage in thrilling 4v1 battles where four hunters work together to track down and defeat one massive, player-controlled monster in intense strategic combat scenarios
- Expanded Monster Arsenal: Access additional fearsome creatures through the Monster Expansion Pack, each with unique abilities, playstyles, and devastating powers that transform how you dominate the battlefield
- Extended Hunter Content: Unlock new hunters, weapons, and equipment through both Hunting Season passes, providing diverse character classes and tactical options to customize your hunting strategy
- Comprehensive Content Package: Get all premium downloadable content in one convenient edition, ensuring you have access to the complete roster of monsters, hunters, and gameplay modes without purchasing expansions separately
Turtle Rock Studios’ game description centers the Hunters’ pursuit and the Monster’s growth as the match’s defining loop.
Monster: evade, feed, and evolve
The Monster was controlled by a single player. It could feed on wildlife during a match and evolve, becoming stronger as the hunt progressed. That growth changed the balance: the Hunters were trying to catch the Monster early, while the Monster was trying to survive long enough to become a more dangerous opponent.
Rank #2
- Grab three friends and hunt the monster or stalk the humans as the evolving beast. Whichever side you choose, you will have access to powerful weapons and abilities that deliver balanced, competitive gameplay.
- Hunt together or die alone: Choose a hunter that fits your play style.
- Whether you play as the Trapper, Support, Assault, or Medic, every role is vital and teamwork is key in surviving an encounter with the Monster.
- Beast of prey: As the monster, the lone predator, you are the boss battle. Use savage abilities and an animalistic sense to wreak havoc, kill the humans, and prove you are the dominant species.
- Savage planet: Neither flora nor fauna are friendly on planet Shear. Fall victim to natural hazards or use them strategically against your prey.
TIME’s hands-on account describes this shifting advantage and quotes design director Chris Ashton on the intended rhythm: “We ratchet everything up, and then we ratchet everything back down so you have time to recover.” The idea was to make the match a pursuit with changing pressure, rather than a single uninterrupted fight.
Why did the design stand out?
The four-versus-one structure gave the sides different objectives and different sources of tension. Hunters depended on cooperation to find and contain one opponent; the Monster had to make its own decisions about when to escape, feed, and risk a fight. As the Monster grew stronger, the Hunters’ initial advantage could shift.
Rank #3
- 4V1-Grab three friends and hunt the monster or stalk the humans as the evolving beast. Whichever side you choose, you will have access to powerful weapons and abilities that deliver balanced, competitive gameplay.
- Hunt Together or Die Alone- Choose a hunter that fits your play style. Whether you play as the Trapper, Support, Assault, or Medic, every role is vital and teamwork is key in surviving an encounter with the monster.
- Beast of Prey -As the monster -the lone predator -you are the boss battle. Use savage abilities and an animalistic sense to wreak havoc, kill the humans and prove you are the dominant species.
- Savage Planet-Neither flora nor fauna are friendly on planet Shear. Fall victim to natural hazards or use them strategically against your prey.
- Character Customization- Level up to unlock new upgrades, skins and perks for your favorite class: hunter or monster. Earn your infamy on the leaderboards and become the apex predator.
That distinctive setup explains the appeal of the original hands-on previews, which presented Evolve as a cooperative monster hunt with reversals in who had the upper hand. Descriptions of it as “terrifying” or “fun” were critics’ impressions in those previews, not objective measures of player response.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you play Evolve now?
No. 2K Support states: “As of July 6, 2023 we’ve brought the Evolve servers completely down for the final time and the game is no longer playable.” That rules out treating the game’s official online modes or matchmaking as currently available.
Rank #4
- Adventure RPG - refreshing combination of adventure game elements and RPG mechanics
- deep combat - A variety of weapons, abilities and powers are available to the player in the pursuit of their quest
- unique aging mechanic - every time the player dies they Age one year. Players must adapt to their advancing Age as they progress their character
- starting the game young, nimble and quick, and ending wise and more attuned to magic
Although console editions were released for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, owning or finding a used physical copy should be understood as an archival or collectible purchase, not a dependable way to play. Current listings, stock, and any working play path have not been established here. The official release announcement also lists Windows PC, but the server shutdown notice does not describe a supported present-day way to play on that platform.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Evolve at a glance
| Detail | What is established |
|---|---|
| Developer | Turtle Rock Studios, also associated with Left 4 Dead (Take-Two Interactive release announcement) |
| Match format | Four Hunters against one player-controlled Monster (Take-Two Interactive release announcement) |
| Monster progression | The Monster could feed and evolve during a match (Turtle Rock Studios game description; TIME hands-on account) |
| Original platforms | Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC (Take-Two Interactive release announcement) |
| Current playability | 2K says the servers shut down July 6, 2023 and the game is no longer playable (2K Support) |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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