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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.
TheHunter: Call of the Wild Game Cover
77%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
stability, grinding
90% User Score Based on 69,960 reviews
Critic Score 65%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCEpic GamesXbox Game PassPlaystation 5CloudPlaystation 4Xbox OneXbox Cloud GamingXboxWindowsPlayStation
TheHunter: Call of the Wild Game Cover

About

TheHunter: Call of the Wild is a single player and multiplayer open world shooter game. It was developed by Expansive Worlds and was released on February 16, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

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.

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90%
Audience ScoreBased on 69,960 reviews
graphics3.8k positive mentions
stability1.3k negative mentions

  • The graphics are stunning and immersive, creating a breathtaking hunting experience with beautiful landscapes and realistic animal models.
  • The gameplay offers a rewarding experience for those willing to invest time, with addictive mechanics and high replayability due to diverse hunting experiences and expansive environments.
  • The atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating visuals and sound design, evoking a sense of tranquility and connection to nature.
  • The game suffers from frequent bugs and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer mode, leading to frustration among players.
  • Many players criticize the reliance on DLC for essential gameplay features, perceiving it as a cash grab that detracts from the overall experience.
  • The story and mission design are often viewed as simplistic and tedious, with many players finding them monotonous and lacking meaningful content.
  • graphics
    5,244 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" receive widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and attention to detail, often described as breathtaking and immersive. Players appreciate the beautiful landscapes, realistic animal models, and atmospheric sound design, which enhance the overall hunting experience. However, some users report occasional graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, indicating that while the visuals are impressive, they can be demanding on hardware.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the world feels alive, and once you understand the mechanics, the mix of peaceful exploring and intense tracking is incredibly satisfying.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely breathtaking, the attention to detail is stunning, and the mix of challenges and rewards keeps me hooked every time I play.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, the sound design is immersive, and the hunting gameplay feels realistic and satisfying.”
    • “It's 2025, update the game and fix your DLC; literally has PS3 graphics. I should not be having silky smooth gameplay while my desktop sounds like it could catch fire at any moment.”
    • “The graphics are literally the same.”
    • “The graphics are a little dated but hold up extremely well in 2025.”
  • gameplay
    3,286 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" is characterized by its slow-paced, immersive hunting mechanics that require patience and strategy, making it appealing to fans of simulation games. While the graphics and environmental design receive high praise, many players express frustration over the game's reliance on DLC for essential mechanics and features, leading to a perception of it being a cash grab. Overall, the gameplay offers a rewarding experience for those willing to invest time in learning its intricacies, but it can be tedious and buggy at times, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

    • “This game has some of the best graphics and gameplay I have ever seen in a hunting game.”
    • “The gameplay loop is addictive in the best way, with a great mix of difficult hunting and unique arcade-like mechanics.”
    • “The mechanics in the game allow for you to create so many different hunting experiences that really create so much replayability.”
    • “The gameplay is janky and extremely tedious.”
    • “The gameplay is painfully boring.”
    • “The game simply lags too much and gameplay is sh1t.”
  • story
    3,054 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" is generally viewed as a mixed bag. While each hunting reserve features its own storyline and missions that provide context and objectives, many players find these narratives to be simplistic or tedious, often revolving around fetch quests or specific hunting tasks. Additionally, numerous bugs can hinder mission progression, leading to frustration. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the immersive environment and the optional nature of the missions, allowing for a more relaxed gameplay experience focused on exploration and hunting.

    • “The game features a story mode in singleplayer which is a nice touch.”
    • “Each map has a story associated with it, of which you'll be hunting a number of animals in a specific area with a specific weapon, though it spices things up by making you take pictures occasionally, tracking foot/paw prints, and even putting out a fire at one point.”
    • “The missions keep me interested with hunting missions and new locations to find.”
    • “Story, if you can even call it that, is extremely boring and nonsensical.”
    • “The missions are often monotonous, simply being 'walk here and look for this', or 'hunt one of these over here', so progression with them doesn't feel rewarding considering there are no unlockables for completing them.”
    • “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
    1,401 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" has received mixed feedback from players, with many citing frequent bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer mode. While single-player experiences tend to be more stable, issues such as desync, crashing, and unresponsive animal AI are common in multiplayer sessions. Overall, players express frustration over the game's persistent instability, which detracts from the otherwise enjoyable hunting experience.

    • “Game runs great, basically no issues.”
    • “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 graphics are amazing and there are little to no glitches anymore (that I have experienced).”
    • “The game has been a buggy mess since its release, particularly with save files, and nothing has been fixed to date.”
    • “This game is a beautiful buggy mess, however it's extremely grindy for the higher caliber weapons.”
    • “The game is very buggy, all dlcs are of poor quality.”
  • grinding
    736 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many find the grind for trophies and rare animals rewarding and enjoyable, others describe it as tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant hours to progress. The necessity of grinding for better gear and the reliance on DLCs to alleviate some of the grindy elements have also been points of contention, leading some to feel that the game can become a chore rather than a fun experience. Overall, it appeals to those who appreciate a slow-paced, immersive hunting simulation, but may frustrate players seeking a more casual experience.

    • “A system could exist to combine luck and also the number of kills of the player, so veterans who aren't grinding could have a treat.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is janky and extremely tedious.”
    • “You don't really have that many options and grinding for the items is painful and takes a long time.”
    • “The game is very fun, a bit grindy at times, but the community challenges are super nice for getting sprays and camo.”
  • atmosphere
    578 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "The Hunter: Call of the Wild" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and realistic wildlife behavior, creating a captivating and serene environment for players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of tranquility and connection to nature, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a relaxing gaming experience. However, some players note that the atmosphere can be disrupted by gameplay mechanics, particularly in the endgame, which may detract from the overall immersion.

    • “The atmosphere is stunning and even as a walking simulator it would suffice.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is astonishing; beautiful landscape and I enjoy the hunting very much.”
    • “The immersive atmosphere that it brings is unmatched by any other hunting game I have tried.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is astonishing.”
    • “The atmosphere created by the graphics in this game is phenomenal; it was incredibly fun, yet relaxing, to explore all the variety of maps offered in the game and find the variety of animals to hunt!”
    • “The overall atmosphere and various levels of fog you experience are done really well.”
  • optimization
    409 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews from users. While some praise its ability to run smoothly on lower-end systems and commend its beautiful graphics, many others report significant performance issues, including frame rate drops, crashes, and bugs that have persisted through updates. Overall, the game shows potential for good optimization, but ongoing technical problems and heavy DLC updates have left many players frustrated.

    • “The game is very well optimized, allowing it to run smoothly even on older hardware.”
    • “Incredibly beautiful game, I'm really amazed by how well and optimized it runs.”
    • “This game is so optimized that you might think it's real life!”
    • “Performance is horrendous after the latest patch.”
    • “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
    332 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a major draw, particularly when playing with friends, leading to numerous hilarious moments and unexpected glitches. Players enjoy the absurdity of animal behavior and the comedic outcomes of hunting scenarios, such as animals getting stuck or exhibiting bizarre animations. Overall, the game is described as a fun and lighthearted experience, often resulting in laughter and memorable interactions.

    • “Somehow this decently serious game turns hilarious with friends, plus the constant addition of new content is appreciated.”
    • “Whether it’s your buddy scaring off a moose or 'accidentally' shooting your ATV, it’s a hilarious mess every time.”
    • “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
    309 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric and relaxing qualities, enhancing the immersive experience of exploring beautiful environments. While some players appreciate the sparse use of music, allowing for natural sounds to take center stage, others find certain tracks overly loud or repetitive, detracting from gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant aspect of the game's appeal, contributing to its calming and therapeutic nature.

    • “The music and overall ambiance further enhance the immersion, offering players the chance to fully engage with the game's world.”
    • “The scenery is fabulous and so is the music.”
    • “The music is fantastic when it hits and the maps are big with plenty of areas to explore and unlock new stands, outposts, landmarks.”
    • “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 in this game can be very loud, by default.”
  • monetization
    261 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 microtransactions and DLCs for essential gameplay features. While some users appreciate the frequent sales and argue that certain DLCs offer good value, the overwhelming sentiment is that many core elements should have been included in the base game rather than locked behind paywalls. Overall, the aggressive monetization practices detract from the gaming experience, leading to frustration among players who feel pressured to spend more to enjoy the full content.

    • “The dlc is appropriately priced for what you get, and no microtransactions!!!”
    • “No microtransactions and you can play the whole game without buying dlc.”
    • “This game is a huge improvement compared to the first thehunter, where microtransactions were introduced in the wrong way.”
    • “Another cheap game that requires microtransactions and DLC to actually play.”
    • “The game is beautiful and it is a great hunting sim... it just sucks to see companies doubling down on cash grabbing rather than polishing a game.”
    • “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
    128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability, with many players praising its diverse hunting mechanics, expansive environments, and the variety of downloadable content (DLC) that enhances the experience. Users report that no two hunts feel the same, and the multiplayer mode adds further depth, making it enjoyable for both solo and cooperative play. However, some critiques mention that the base game may feel limited without additional DLC, which is often necessary for a fuller experience.

    • “The mechanics in the game allow for you to create so many different hunting experiences that really create so much replayability.”
    • “Each reserve feels alive with its own ecosystem, and the variety of animals across all DLC maps makes it endlessly replayable.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “My advice is don't buy this game if you are not willing to pay out on a lot of DLC packs just to have a normal good game to start with, as you need those DLC packs to make the main game much more playable.”
  • emotional
    82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, from profound immersion and heartfelt connections to feelings of emptiness and frustration. While some players find it a touching experience that evokes compassion for wildlife and environmental issues, others criticize it for being emotionally hollow and lacking tension. Overall, the game resonates deeply with those who appreciate its slower pace and thoughtful storytelling, while leaving others feeling detached and emotionally drained.

    • “It’s immersive, sure, but it’s also emotionally exhausting in a way few games dare to be.”
    • “Difficult, I cried many times.”
    • “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!”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is a standout feature that captivates players, driving their desire to continue engaging with the game.

    • “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.”
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65%Critics’ scoreBased on 12 critic reviews
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40h Median play time
129h Average play time
10-175h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 504 analyzed playthroughs
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Games Like TheHunter: Call of the Wild

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Frequently Asked Questions

TheHunter: Call of the Wild is a open world shooter game.

TheHunter: Call of the Wild is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 129 hours playing TheHunter: Call of the Wild.

TheHunter: Call of the Wild was released on February 16, 2017.

TheHunter: Call of the Wild was developed by Expansive Worlds.

TheHunter: Call of the Wild has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

TheHunter: Call of the Wild is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Way of the Hunter, theHunter Classic, Hunting Simulator 2, Cabela's Big Game Hunter: Pro Hunts, theHunter: Primal and others.