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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 126,812 reviews
Critic Score 65%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SEpic GamesPCXbox Game PassPlaystation 5CloudPlaystation 4Xbox OneXbox Cloud GamingXboxWindowsPlayStation

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.

TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
TheHunter: Call of the Wild screenshot
+37
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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 126,812 reviews
graphics7.2k positive mentions
stability2.6k negative mentions

  • The game features stunning graphics and immersive environments, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the hunting experience.
  • The realistic hunting mechanics and attention to detail in animal behavior provide an engaging and immersive gameplay experience.
  • The multiplayer mode and regular updates offer high replayability, allowing players to enjoy countless hours of gameplay with friends.
  • The gameplay can be slow-paced and repetitive, often described as tedious with long periods of waiting for animals to appear.
  • The reliance on paid DLC for essential content has drawn criticism, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience.
  • The game is plagued by bugs and performance issues, leading to frustration and a mixed reception regarding its stability and optimization.
  • graphics
    9,945 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "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, although some report occasional graphical glitches and performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the game sets a high standard for visual quality in the hunting simulation genre, making it a visually captivating experience for players.

    • “The graphics are stunning, with realistic environments and dynamic weather that add to the immersion.”
    • “This game is a true masterpiece, the graphics are beautiful, the landscape is ambient and believable.”
    • “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 crisp, but the game itself is just bad.”
    • “The scale and detail of the game does hinder the graphics to a forgivable degree but I would request better cues to noise or highlighting the animal if I'm within 10 yards of it, since these are not hyper realistic graphics.”
  • gameplay
    6,095 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *The Hunter: Call of the Wild* is characterized by its realistic hunting mechanics, requiring players to consider factors like wind direction, animal behavior, and stealth. While many players appreciate the immersive environments and the satisfaction of tracking and hunting, the gameplay can be slow-paced and repetitive, often described as a "walking simulator" with long periods of waiting. Additionally, the game has been criticized for its reliance on paid DLC for essential mechanics and features, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • story
    5,801 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" is generally viewed as a backdrop to the gameplay, with each map featuring its own narrative and missions that guide players through the hunting experience. While some players appreciate the immersive storytelling and character interactions, many criticize the missions for being repetitive, buggy, and at times frustratingly difficult, particularly those requiring specific animal encounters or photography. Overall, the missions provide structure and objectives, but they can detract from the enjoyment of the game due to their inconsistencies and the lack of meaningful progression in multiplayer mode.

    • “The lore and stories of maps and missions are fabulous, especially Vurhonga Savanna.”
    • “The story missions also feel well put together and interesting, worth it if you want some kind of purpose.”
    • “Each hunting reserve has its own story and questline to help you progress and also explore the region.”
    • “The story missions are lifeless, but you don't care about the story.”
    • “The missions are boring and useless.”
    • “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
    2,727 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting frequent bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay. While some users find the glitches amusing or minor, others experience severe issues such as crashes, freezing, and unresponsive controls, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is described as visually stunning but plagued by instability, leading to mixed feelings about its overall enjoyment and playability.

    • “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 old 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.”
    • “Can't play this game for more than 5 minutes without it crashing, even after troubleshooting.”
    • “The game is very buggy.”
  • grinding
    1,312 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 animals and grinding for better gear, others find it frustratingly monotonous, especially without the aid of DLCs that can alleviate some of the grind. Overall, the game caters to those who appreciate a grind-heavy experience, but it may deter players seeking a more casual or action-oriented gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Its not too grindy, very rewarding for player action and is multiplayer.”
    • “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.”
    • “Grinding for your first strong rifle can feel tedious, making it challenging for new players to get into the groove of the game.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere
    1,078 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "thehunter: call of the wild" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and realistic environmental details, creating a captivating and serene experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of tranquility and adventure, whether stalking prey or simply exploring the beautifully crafted landscapes. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay pacing and occasional bugs, the overall ambiance is considered one of the game's strongest features, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a relaxing yet engaging hunting simulation.

    • “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 graphics in this game is phenomenal (played on ultra, 1440p), it was incredibly fun, yet relaxing, to get exploring all the variety of maps offered in the game and finding the variety of animals to hunt!”
    • “You could play for an hour or more without having killed a thing but because the atmosphere & sensation of stalking your prey is fairly prevalent, you’ll oddly feel somewhat satisfied, if not confused & frustrated by the lack of things to do.”
    • “The animals' AI is good until it's not... animals will constantly get stuck in trees and ruin the atmosphere and that bit of proudness when you kill an animal.”
  • optimization
    780 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to run smoothly on older hardware and deliver impressive graphics, particularly in terms of lighting and environmental detail. However, numerous users have reported significant performance issues, including frame rate drops, stuttering, and bugs that disrupt gameplay, especially on lower-end systems. Overall, while some players find the game well-optimized, others express frustration over ongoing technical problems and the need for further improvements.

    • “The performance on my aging machine is great, the graphics are really good and in particular the lighting and weather effects really make sunset/sunrise look great. I think considering this game came out in 2017, it puts some much newer AAA games to shame with how good the environments look.”
    • “The game is very well optimized and runs smoothly on my 1660 Super, looking stunning.”
    • “This is the best game that I have ever seen that is optimized so well. I only have a 1660 Super and I can play at ultra graphics still at 60fps. Thank you so much, devs, you're doing amazing!”
    • “Every update they do seems to only be for adding more paid DLC and not for game optimization or bug fixes (again, plenty of bugs are present in the game that have been there since day 1, as well as new bugs popping up each update), 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.”
    • “Poor optimization results in inconsistent performance, even on high-end gaming systems, causing lag and frame rate drops during critical moments.”
    • “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
    620 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the hilarious moments that arise from both intentional gameplay and unexpected glitches. Many reviews emphasize the joy of playing with friends, where chaotic situations, absurd animal behaviors, and comical bugs lead to uncontrollable laughter. Overall, the game is described as a fun and entertaining experience, particularly in multiplayer settings, where the blend of hunting and humor creates memorable and amusing scenarios.

    • “Whether it’s your buddy scaring off a moose or 'accidentally' shooting your ATV, it’s a hilarious mess every time.”
    • “Imagine being in the wild with your buddies, laughing at the failed hunts (and the occasional spectacular shot), all while nature unfolds around you.”
    • “My friends and I play together and just run around like idiots and corral deer, and it's so funny.”
    • “This game is terrible; it's not funny, and I won't play it anymore!”
    • “Not funny or realistic.”
    • “So bad, it's actually funny.”
  • music
    582 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience. Many players find the soundtrack to be beautifully composed and fitting for the game's serene environments, making it a great backdrop for exploration and relaxation. However, some users have reported issues with loud or repetitive music, particularly in outposts, which can detract from the 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 music is some of the greatest game soundtracks I have ever heard, up there with Hitman and Halo for me.”
    • “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've been having a crazy bug where the main menu music, which I'm assuming it is, keeps playing over and over again and it's so loud.”
    • “When I mute the game music it randomly turns back on and pisses me off but besides that it's fun.”
  • monetization
    484 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 players appreciate the frequent sales on DLCs, the overwhelming presence of microtransactions and the perception of developers prioritizing profit over player experience have left a negative impression. Overall, the monetization strategy is seen as aggressive and detrimental to the game's integrity, leading to a mixed reception among players.

    • “Monetization could be rough, but honestly the DLC (and the game itself) go on sale often and can be picked up for cheap, so it's not the biggest deal ever.”
    • “The DLC is appropriately priced for what you get, and no microtransactions!!!”
    • “Overall if you are looking for a hunting simulator that does not have microtransactions then this is the game for you.”
    • “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.”
    • “The amount of cash grabbing in this game is beyond anything I have ever seen.”
  • replayability
    232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers high 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, gear, and challenges, allowing for countless hours of gameplay. 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.”
    • “I have up to 155+ hours and have tons to do like hunt gold and diamond animals, get animals with rare furs, explore the maps more, etc. This game has a huge replay value to it and if you are a fan of hunting, you may add hundreds of hours easily.”
    • “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.”
    • “You are almost forced to buy the DLCs to make the game more playable, which I find annoying and unfair because I expected to have access to more stuff.”
    • “Out of the 10 maps, only 2 are playable in the base game, and also there's no vehicles at all outside of DLC, so walking everywhere takes forever.”
  • emotional
    148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deep connection to animal welfare and environmental themes, evoking strong feelings of compassion and reflection among players. Many reviews express how the protagonist's journey resonates with their own values, leading to moments of joy, heartbreak, and a desire for real-world change. While some players find the game relaxing and immersive, others note that it can also evoke feelings of frustration and sadness, particularly in relation to the hunting mechanics and the portrayal of wildlife.

    • “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. The game is called 'Call of the Wild' because the wildlife is calling to the main protagonist to be their savior from the impending doom called the Big Mac.”
    • “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
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is a standout feature that captivates players, consistently motivating them to engage with the game.

    • “The character development keeps you engaged in the game and makes you want to play every time.”
    • “The character development keeps you engaged in the game and makes you want to play every time.”
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65%Critics’ scoreBased on 12 critic reviews
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40h Median play time
127h Average play time
10-175h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 944 analyzed playthroughs
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