Lost Cyberpunk Vision: Unearthing Human Head's Buried Prey 2

Last Updated: October 11, 2025

For years, the ghost of Human Head Studios' Prey 2 has haunted the gaming community, a tantalizing glimpse of a distinctive cyberpunk shooter that never saw the light of day. While officially canceled by publisher Bethesda Softworks in 2014 after years in "development hell," leaked footage has periodically surfaced, offering an unprecedented and often comprehensive look into what could have been. These revelations consistently reignite discussions, providing a detailed window into the game's ambitious vision, from its introductory moments to dynamic combat encounters, and underscoring the enduring fascination with unreleased titles.

Among the leaked segments that have captivated fans are an opening sequence, an extensive full mission playthrough set within an open-world environment, a detailed flythrough of an undercity area, and a prototype chase sequence, alongside general scenes of combat. The re-emergence and compilation of these materials serve as a digital archaeological record, preserving fragments of a game that promised a unique take on the bounty-hunting genre, starring the memorable protagonist Killian Samuels.

A Glimpse into a Lost Future: The Resurgence of Prey 2 Footage

The gaming community has consistently turned its attention to the enigmatic and ultimately unreleased project, Prey 2, from Human Head Studios. Despite its cancellation nearly a decade ago, various pieces of footage have emerged over time, providing a detailed and extensive look at the game's ambitious vision. These revealed segments offer an invaluable perspective on the title's design and gameplay mechanics, solidifying its identity as a promising cyberpunk shooter that, for various reasons, never saw the light of day.

The significance of this leaked footage cannot be overstated. For many years, details surrounding Prey 2 were scarce, largely confined to early trailers and developer insights that hinted at its potential. The collective release of multiple video segments has allowed for a much clearer understanding of the game's intended scope and atmosphere. This material includes several distinct components, each illuminating a different aspect of the development process and the game's world.

Deconstructing the Leaked Content

The unveiled footage is substantial, offering more than just fleeting glimpses. It comprises several key elements that collectively paint a vivid picture of the game's design:

• An Opening Sequence: This segment likely served as the player's initial introduction to the game's narrative and world, setting the gritty, futuristic tone for the adventure ahead. Opening sequences are crucial for establishing atmosphere and player immersion, suggesting a carefully crafted beginning to Killian Samuels' journey.
• A Full Mission Playthrough from an Open World: This is arguably one of the most significant parts of the leak. An entire mission, played out within what is described as an open world, demonstrates the game's fundamental structure and player freedom. It provides insights into mission design, environmental interaction, and how players might have navigated the sprawling cyberpunk setting. The emphasis on an open world suggested a design philosophy centered on exploration and player agency, characteristic of many modern action titles.
• A Flythrough of an Undercity Area: This video offers a detailed look at one of the game's environments, specifically an undercity. Such areas in cyberpunk settings are often dense, multi-layered, and visually rich, brimming with intricate architecture and atmospheric lighting. A flythrough would showcase the artistic direction and environmental storytelling, highlighting the verticality and complexity of the game's urban landscapes.
• A Prototype Chase Sequence: Chase sequences are dynamic and action-packed events designed to heighten tension and showcase movement mechanics. A prototype version indicated that the developers were actively experimenting with high-octane gameplay moments, potentially involving vehicle combat or parkour-style pursuits through the futuristic city. This suggested a desire to incorporate varied gameplay experiences beyond standard combat.
• Scenes of Combat: Crucial for any shooter, these segments display the core combat mechanics, including weapon handling, enemy artificial intelligence, and player abilities. Examining these scenes can reveal the intended pace, tactical depth, and overall feel of engagements within the game.

Collectively, these videos provide a comprehensive cross-section of Prey 2's development, from foundational gameplay loops to detailed environmental design, allowing for a retrospective appreciation of its ambitious scope.

Killian Samuels: The Beanie-Wearing Bounty Hunter

Central to Prey 2's narrative was its protagonist, Killian Samuels. Described as a beanie-wearing US marshal who transforms into an alien bounty hunter, Killian presented a distinct character design. In 2012, his appearance was noted as somewhat "humdrum" when compared to Domasi "Tommy" Tawodi, the Cherokee protagonist of the original 2006 Prey game. Tommy Tawodi was known for his unique cultural background and spiritual connection, which deeply influenced the first game's themes and mechanics.

However, with the passage of time and the renewed interest sparked by the leaks, Killian Samuels has gained a certain "tragic charisma." This retrospective view highlights the potential depth and relatability that might have been explored in his character arc. As an alien bounty hunter, his profession would have placed him in morally ambiguous situations, navigating a complex, multi-species society. His relatively ordinary appearance, contrasted with his extraordinary circumstances, could have been a deliberate choice to ground the player in a gritty, realistic "pre-cyberpunk" world, making his journey all the more compelling. Developers later revealed that Prey 2 would have featured a significant plot twist and was indeed tied to the original Prey game's narrative.

The Cyberpunk Vision and Untimely Fate

The leaked footage firmly established Prey 2 as a cyberpunk shooter. This genre typically involves futuristic, often dystopian settings, advanced technology, corporate control, and a focus on characters operating outside the law. The open-world mission, undercity exploration, and bounty-hunting premise aligned perfectly with these characteristics. The game's setting, featuring alien species and advanced urban environments, promised a rich tapestry for players to explore and engage with.

The "untimely fate" of Human Head Studios' Prey 2 remains a point of considerable discussion and regret for many. The project entered a prolonged period of "development hell" and was officially canceled by Bethesda Softworks in 2014. This cancellation was attributed to quality concerns and a failure to meet the publisher's expectations, despite the game's apparent progress shown in leaked materials and even advertisements found in PS3 game boxes. The term itself suggests that the game's cancellation was premature, leaving a void where a potentially innovative title could have flourished. The consistent leaking of footage over the years indicates an enduring desire within the community to see what could have been and to mourn the loss of a project that showed significant promise.

Following the cancellation of Human Head's project, the Prey intellectual property was rebooted. Arkane Studios, known for Dishonored, developed and released their own version of Prey in 2017. This critically acclaimed title was a psychological sci-fi immersive sim, bearing no narrative or gameplay relation to Human Head's Prey 2, effectively closing the chapter on Killian Samuels' story.

Reflecting on Unreleased Gaming History

The continuous emergence of content from projects like Prey 2 underscores a broader fascination with the "lost media" of the gaming industry. Each new piece of leaked footage contributes to a more complete understanding of these unreleased titles, offering insights into development processes, creative decisions, and the immense challenges faced by studios. For a game that was highly anticipated by many, these revelations offer a form of closure, allowing players to finally see the vision that Human Head Studios had for Killian Samuels and his cyberpunk world. While the game itself may never be officially released, these glimpses ensure that its legacy, and the discussions surrounding its potential, continue to resonate within the gaming community, cementing Prey 2 as one of gaming's most intriguing "what ifs."