TheHunter: Call of the Wild

Ah, hunting. The finest of all life’s pursuits. Truly, there’s nothing nobler than rushing through the wilderness, wind in your hair, as you attempt to mow down a deer with your ATV bike.

77%Game Brain Score

graphics, gameplay

stability, grinding

89% User Score Based on 63,406 reviews

Critic Score 65%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $3.86

Buy NowGet on Steam$19.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

Buy NowGet on Epic Games Store

About

theHunter: Call of the Wild provides a breathtaking, immersive hunting experience in a vast open world bursting with life and detailed animal behavior. Its multiplayer options allow for up to 8 players to hunt together or compete. This next-generation hunting game is powered by award-winning technology for heightened realism.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+24

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 63,418 reviews

graphics3.6k positive mentions

stability1.3k negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and immersive sound design, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the hunting experience.
The gameplay mechanics are realistic and engaging, requiring players to consider various factors like wind direction and animal behavior, which adds depth to the hunting simulation.
The game offers substantial replayability with a variety of weapons, challenges, and missions, along with regular updates and engaging multiplayer modes.

The gameplay can become tedious and repetitive, often feeling like a slow-paced walking simulator, which may deter players seeking a more action-oriented experience.
The reliance on paid DLC for essential content has drawn criticism, with many players feeling that core mechanics should be included in the base game.
Frequent bugs, crashes, and performance issues disrupt gameplay, leading to frustration and disappointment, particularly in multiplayer modes.

graphics
4,973 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
27%
1%
The graphics of "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" are widely praised for their stunning realism and attention to detail, creating immersive environments that enhance the overall gameplay experience. Many players highlight the breathtaking landscapes, dynamic weather effects, and lifelike animal animations, making it one of the best-looking hunting games available. However, some users report occasional graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, which can detract from the otherwise visually impressive experience.
- “The graphics are stunning and the attention to detail in the environment, animals, and weapons is impressive.”
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning, even on the lowest setting.”
- “With its stunning graphics and attention to detail, this game offers an unparalleled hunting simulation that both enthusiasts and casual gamers will appreciate.”
- “I definitely think this game could be a lot better if some of the lod/graphics issues were fixed, but I do understand that having such massive worlds and long view distances comes with limitations.”
- “The graphics are literally the same.”
- “The graphics while needing some optimization are really good.”
gameplay
3,048 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
60%
4%
The gameplay of "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" is characterized by its realistic mechanics, requiring players to consider factors like wind direction and animal behavior while tracking and hunting. While many players appreciate the immersive and rewarding experience, especially after overcoming the initial learning curve, others find the gameplay can become tedious and repetitive, often feeling like a slow-paced walking simulator. Additionally, the reliance on paid DLC for essential gameplay features has drawn criticism, with some players feeling that core mechanics should be included in the base game.
- “The gameplay keeps the experience fresh and engaging, offering a mix of calm exploration and thrilling encounters.”
- “The realistic mechanics elevate the experience, requiring players to consider wind direction, animal behavior, and even the sound of their footsteps.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are smooth and intuitive, making it easy to lose myself in the hunt.”
- “The game has great potential with its vast open-world environments and detailed animal models, but the gameplay quickly becomes repetitive and frustrating.”
- “The gameplay consists mainly of tracking animals and waiting for them to appear, which can sometimes feel like you’re playing an extended version of hide-and-seek with creatures that have absolutely no interest in your existence.”
- “The game seems to push you to spend extra money on cosmetics and gear, which feels like a cash grab rather than enhancing the gameplay experience.”
story
2,903 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
76%
5%
The story aspect of "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" is characterized by a mix of engaging narratives and frustrating mission structures. Each map features its own storyline and missions, often involving hunting tasks or environmental conservation themes, which some players find immersive and enjoyable. However, many missions are criticized for being repetitive, buggy, or overly reliant on specific conditions that can lead to player frustration, particularly in multiplayer settings where story missions are unavailable. Overall, while the game offers a decent narrative backdrop, it is often overshadowed by gameplay issues and a lack of depth in the storylines.
- “The story missions also feel well put together and interesting, worth it if you want some kind of purpose.”
- “Each hunting reserve has at least 25 hours of gameplay, even more if you complete all of the missions.”
- “The game provides different storylines unique to each reserve that you can complete by yourself, it’s a wonderful way to learn about different cultures!”
- “The story missions are lifeless, but you don't care about the story.”
- “The main quest doesn't even work; the mission trigger doesn't trigger no matter what you do when you get to the rag stuck in the tree.”
- “Some missions are incredibly and frustratingly hard, not to mention time-consuming; some were easy to the point I just forget the main objectives and just hunt.”
stability
1,364 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
1%
95%
The stability of "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and bugs that disrupt gameplay. While some users find the occasional bugs amusing or manageable, others express frustration over persistent issues that detract from the overall experience, particularly in multiplayer modes. Despite these challenges, many players still appreciate the game's immersive graphics and engaging hunting mechanics, suggesting that while it is buggy, it remains enjoyable for those willing to overlook its flaws.
- “I do really love this game; it looks and runs great. Even the complaints I have aren't game-breaking for me; they can just be annoying sometimes when certain situations come up.”
- “The game runs great on my system, no real frame drops.”
- “I recently had to downgrade my whole PC setup because of a fried motherboard and limited parts available, but even with this outdated setup from 2012, the game runs great!”
- “The game has been a buggy mess since its release, particularly with save files, and nothing has been fixed to date.”
- “Frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches disrupt gameplay sessions, leading to frustration and disappointment.”
- “The game is very buggy, all dlcs are of poor quality.”
grinding
656 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
19%
80%
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as tedious and time-consuming. While some enjoy the slow-paced, immersive experience of tracking and hunting, others find the extensive grinding for weapons, gear, and upgrades frustrating, especially without the aid of DLCs that can alleviate some of the grind. Overall, the game caters to those who appreciate a realistic hunting simulation, but it may deter players seeking a more action-oriented experience due to its grind-heavy nature.
- “But overall it is a good game; it is somewhat immersive if you're not grinding your life away, but when you are, it is still somewhat fun because it really doesn't take long to grind if you hunt certain animals.”
- “Its not too grindy, very rewarding for player action and is multiplayer.”
- “I'm not a hunter so I can't speak to the accuracy of this game in relation to actually hunting animals, but what I can say is the maps are huge and gorgeous, there are endless missions to give you purpose, there are skills, perks, weapons, ammo, and equipment to unlock, and progression isn't too grindy at all.”
- “The game is slow-paced, usually requiring a large amount of time to track an animal for very little reward, and you must crouch or prone to avoid detection, which is extremely slow and tedious.”
- “While it’s undeniably gorgeous, the tedious gameplay, broken AI, and predatory DLC practices turn what could have been an enjoyable hunting experience into a chore.”
- “The game's progression system feels grindy and unrewarding, with little sense of accomplishment for completing objectives or upgrading gear.”
atmosphere
539 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
24%
1%
The atmosphere in "thehunter: call of the wild" is widely praised for its stunning visuals and immersive sound design, creating a serene yet thrilling experience that captures the essence of nature. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a relaxing environment, enhanced by realistic ambient sounds and dynamic weather effects, making it feel alive and engaging. While some note that the gameplay can be slow and repetitive, the overall atmosphere remains a highlight, providing a captivating escape into the wilderness.
- “From the rustling of leaves underfoot to the distant calls of wildlife, the game creates a truly immersive atmosphere.”
- “At sunrise, the warm light filters through the trees, while nighttime introduces a haunting yet peaceful atmosphere under a canopy of stars.”
- “The stunning visuals and immersive sound design create an atmosphere that feels genuinely alive, with a range of realistic wildlife and a day and night cycle that adds to the game's realism.”
- “The atmosphere created by the very realistic feeling wilds is very calming at times and a virtual escape during these times of being shut at home.”
- “I get so lost in the atmosphere and kind of just zone out on what I'm actually meant to be doing... and then you hear a warning call and some footsteps from one of the many animals in the game and you instantly get your game face on.”
- “It's going through a lot of growing pains which I feel confident the developers will resolve in time, but despite its buggy state will still gladly recommend this game, as it provides a hunting experience and atmosphere like none other in a game!”
optimization
390 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
49%
20%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to run smoothly on older hardware and deliver impressive graphics, particularly in lighting and environmental details. However, numerous players have reported significant performance issues, including frame rate drops, stuttering, and bugs that disrupt gameplay, especially on lower-end systems. While some updates have improved performance, many users feel that ongoing optimization and bug fixes are still needed to enhance the overall experience.
- “The game is very well optimized.”
- “Beautiful graphics, maximum performance, a lot of terrain, excellent sound of nature, really a 10/10 game!”
- “This game is ridiculously underrated, the graphics are amazing, and the game is very well optimized.”
- “Performance-wise, I expected so much more.”
- “Every update they do seems to only be for adding more paid DLC and not for game optimization or bug fixes, and it also seems like every time they add new content they have to rewrite the code for the entire game because every single update, no matter how small the change, is like 20GB.”
- “This game is extremely fun to play with friends but it is the most bug-riddled, poorly optimized piece of trash I have ever played.”
humor
310 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the hilarious moments that arise from both intentional gameplay and unexpected glitches. Many reviews emphasize the fun of playing with friends, where chaotic situations, animal antics, and amusing bugs lead to uncontrollable laughter. Overall, the game is described as a lighthearted experience that combines realistic hunting with comedic elements, making it enjoyable for both casual and serious players.
- “Whether it’s your buddy scaring off a moose or 'accidentally' shooting your ATV, it’s a hilarious mess every time.”
- “After watching all this unfold, I am still uncontrollably laughing.”
- “My friends and I play together and just run around like idiots and corral deer, and it's so funny.”
- “This game sucks; it's not funny, and I won't play it anymore!”
- “Not funny/not realistic.”
- “So bad, it's actually funny.”
music
291 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience. Many players enjoy the serene soundtracks that complement the beautiful graphics and natural sounds, making it a great choice for relaxation or background listening while playing. However, some users have reported issues with the music being too loud or intrusive at times, detracting from the gameplay experience.
- “Add in the serene, minimalist soundtrack, and you’ve got a game that makes even quiet moments feel magical.”
- “The music and overall ambiance further enhance the immersion, offering players the chance to fully engage with the game's world.”
- “The soundtrack, sound design, art style, gameplay, hunting mechanics, texturing, map design, animal variety, etc. are all very well done and on top of all of that you don't even have to hunt, you can just be a wildlife photographer and experience as much of the game.”
- “This game is ruined by the loud outpost music that you cannot turn off, even if you set all audio to 0 or off.”
- “I really like the game but I had to reinstall it because the lobby music was playing in the middle of my game.”
- “The music is very atmospheric and helps to take you into the immersion of the game.”
monetization
242 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
54%
40%
The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the extensive reliance on paid DLCs for essential content that many feel should have been included in the base game. While some users appreciate the frequent sales that make DLCs more affordable, the overwhelming presence of microtransactions and the perception of greedy practices by the developers have left a negative impression, detracting from the overall gaming experience. Despite the fun gameplay, the aggressive monetization strategy has led to a divided community, with many advising potential players to be cautious before investing.
- “The monetization method is a little aggressive but, better than the previous TheHunter title in my opinion.”
- “The DLC is appropriately priced for what you get, and no microtransactions!!!”
- “No microtransactions, buy and it's all yours.”
- “The game seems to push you to spend extra money on cosmetics and gear, which feels like a cash grab rather than enhancing the gameplay experience.”
- “Be wary of the monetization; most of the content here is drip-fed in small DLC packs with minimal new weaponry and gear to unlock without paying, and all the maps other than 2 are entirely locked behind a paywall.”
- “This game seems more like a cash grab; all they want is for you to spend tons of money on DLC when half of the items should be in the game in the first place.”
replayability
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The game offers substantial replayability, bolstered by regular updates, a variety of downloadable content (DLC), and engaging multiplayer modes that enhance the hunting experience. Players appreciate the depth provided by numerous weapons, challenges, and missions, which contribute to an almost endless replay value. However, some users note that the base game may feel lacking without additional DLC, which can be necessary for a more fulfilling experience.
- “Still getting updated content, there is already so much content, daily and weekly challenges that change, they offer free DLC for more game to hunt, and overall the replayability is endless.”
- “With a variety of weapons, gear, and missions, it provides plenty of depth and replayability.”
- “The multiplayer mode adds a whole new dimension to the game, fostering camaraderie and endless replayability.”
- “Despite the expansive environments, Hunter: Call of the Wild lacks meaningful content and replayability.”
- “There are only a handful of guns and a handful of animals, making replayability a fart in the wind.”
- “My only caveat is that the devs quit adding new achievements and side missions to the last few DLC packs, which lowers the replayability.”
emotional
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is deeply resonant, with players expressing a strong connection to its themes of animal welfare and environmental activism. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of compassion, sadness, and nostalgia, particularly through its storytelling and immersive experiences in nature. While some players find it relaxing and wholesome, others describe moments of heartbreak and emotional turmoil, reflecting the game's complex relationship with hunting and wildlife conservation.
- “Every vegetarian should play this game; it's so touching how much the main protagonist cares about animals, how he shelters them from the hunters and protests on the streets against animal cruelty and recreational hunting.”
- “From the bottom of my heart, this game has created so many memories for me and heartbreaking moments as well, including being positive you hit that deer in the lungs and the shot being a little too far back, but that's okay!”
- “The story arcs are emotional and thought-provoking, especially those that touch on environmental concerns.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development is a compelling aspect of the game, effectively engaging players and motivating them to continue playing.
- “The character development keeps you engaged in the game and makes you want to play every time.”
- “The depth of character development adds layers to the story, making each decision feel impactful.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel personal and relatable.”

65%Critics’ scoreBased on 12 critic reviews

Buy TheHunter: Call of the Wild

40h Median play time

127h Average play time

10-175h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 472 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

73%6.6kreviews

Way of the Hunter

2022

Open World Shooter

+11

58%18kreviews

theHunter Classic

2014

Shooter

66%580reviews

Hunting Simulator 2

2020

Shooter

Cabela's Big Game Hunter: Pro Hunts Image

71%319reviews

Cabela's Big Game Hunter: Pro Hunts

2014

Shooter

63%33.3kreviews

Generation Zero

2019

Open World Shooter

71%8.5kreviews

Contagion

2013

Open World Shooter

83%349reviews

Prehistoric Hunt

2020

Open World Shooter

56%2.3kreviews

theHunter: Primal

2015

Survival Shooter

84%22.2kreviews

BIGFOOT

2017

Open World Shooter

70%3.4kreviews

Call of the Wild: The Angler

2022

Open World Sport

+10

TheHunter: Call of the Wild Tweets

TheHunter: Call of the Wild

Platforms

About

It's hunting, seasoned -- theHunter: Call of the Wild review