WolfQuest
- September 7, 2016
- eduweb
- 52h median play time
WolfQuest is a remade wildlife simulation game where players can learn to hunt, find a mate, establish a territory, and raise wolf pups in episodic settings. The game features multiplayer modes, a classic map from WolfQuest 2.7, and optional DLC for wolf customization and expanded maps. It requires higher hardware specifications than the classic version and currently features two episodes with more content to come.
Reviews
- Incredibly realistic gameplay that immerses players in the life of a wolf in Yellowstone.
- Stunning graphics and attention to detail, showcasing the beauty of the environment and animal behavior.
- Active and dedicated developers who regularly update the game and listen to community feedback.
- Gameplay can become repetitive, especially during the pup-raising phase.
- Some players experience performance issues and crashes, particularly on lower-end PCs.
- The AI for mates and pups can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating moments during gameplay.
- graphics1,095 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in "WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and attention to detail, particularly in the depiction of Yellowstone's landscapes and wolf behaviors. Players appreciate the ability to customize graphics settings to accommodate various computer specifications, although some report performance issues and crashes on lower-end systems. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals, which enhance the immersive experience of living as a wolf in the wild.
“The graphics are beautiful, and the gameplay is even more fun and challenging.”
“The graphics are stunning, and the animals look like animals.”
“The graphics are absolutely stunning and you can tell how much time and research is put into this game.”
“The graphics are bad, the controls are an abomination.”
“The only thing I’d have to complain about are the game graphics, they have a big impact on game glitches and I can only have mine on low but other than that it’s a 100% buy this game.”
“The graphics can cause a lot of issues if your computer isn't up to spec but the developers are trying to get on top of it, and fast!”
- gameplay642 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition" is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, beautiful graphics, and educational value, providing players with a realistic simulation of wolf life. While some users note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, many appreciate the variety of challenges and customization options available, as well as the developers' commitment to continuous updates and improvements. Overall, the game offers a satisfying blend of realism and fun, appealing to both casual and hardcore players.
“The hunting mechanics and the 'scent view' are just genius!”
“It's educational, it's challenging, it runs well on my four-year-old gaming laptop, and it provides a really satisfying gameplay loop with raising your puppies to adulthood.”
“The gameplay is fun and has tons of replayability, and the world your wolf inhabits has so many small details that tie everything together into an immersive experience.”
“The gameplay loop can get boring.”
“The gameplay is so real and exciting!”
“The gameplay can be a bit repetitive at the moment, but some of that just comes with the genre -- wild animals usually lead pretty predictable lives.”
- story633 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The "story" aspect of Wolf Quest is characterized by its emphasis on player-driven narratives, allowing players to create unique experiences as they navigate the life of a wolf in Yellowstone. While the game features structured quests such as hunting, finding a mate, and raising pups, many players appreciate the freedom to develop their own stories and character arcs, making each playthrough distinct. However, some users note that the repetitive nature of certain quests can lead to a lack of engagement over time, highlighting a desire for more varied content and challenges.
“This game has a clear quest line from start to finish - hunt to survive, claim territory to survive, procreate to survive, keep your pups alive so they survive (and eventually so they help you survive as members of your own pack - cannot wait for the saga!).”
“I love creating stories for my wolves, play out their lives and add their experiences to the story, then seeing their surviving offspring carry on their legacy after they die.”
“The story building opportunities, the realism; it's a fantastic game.”
“The several missions in the game repeat time and time again.”
“Those games have no stakes, no story, and no challenges.”
“After a couple of weeks of playing, it gets quite boring, with your wolves having the same story over and over.”
- music157 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty, immersion, and ability to enhance the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the original and new soundtracks, which adapt to various in-game situations, creating a dynamic and atmospheric environment. While some mention occasional repetitiveness, the majority find the music to be a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional depth.
“The music is very fun and immerses you into the wolves' world.”
“The soundtrack is iconic, too.”
“The music alters to what you are doing!”
“While the soundtracks are alright, they can become repetitive at times.”
“The sound balancing is terrible - the howls are trying to make my ears bleed while the music is comparatively very quiet - and for some reason, the sound was off by default.”
“In particular, the hunt/chase songs and ambient songs have slightly choppy transitions.”
- stability117 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent bugs and glitches, particularly during gameplay, which can lead to freezes and crashes. While some users have experienced minor issues or none at all, the consensus is that the game, being in early access, is still quite buggy but shows promise as developers actively work on fixes and improvements. Despite the stability concerns, many players find the game enjoyable and recommend it, especially for fans of wildlife simulators.
“This is to help the developers create a polished and bug-free game.”
“The game has no long-term issues and runs great!”
“Despite being a verified game on Steam Deck, I would sadly encounter freezes every ten to fifteen minutes, which made it physically impossible to enjoy the game.”
“The only criticism I can give is that hunting - biting targets specifically, can sometimes be a little bit buggy (especially in multiplayer).”
“Game freezes up after a few hours of play.”
- optimization92 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players noting significant improvements since earlier versions, yet still experiencing performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. While the graphics and mechanics are praised, some users report lag and stuttering, suggesting that further optimization is needed, especially for those with less powerful hardware. Overall, the developers are actively working on updates to enhance performance, which gives players hope for future improvements.
“This version compared to the old one is such a huge improvement in so many ways from performance to features to new things to do and find, it's incredible!”
“The variety of graphic options allows for you to have a pretty game that can run smoothly on almost any device.”
“The latest update of the game improved optimization a bit and I was actually able to hold 50+ fps with everything maxed with only occasional major frame drops.”
“The game is extremely poorly optimized for most machines.”
“It is so badly optimized it will stutter in a PC that vastly exceeds the recommended specs.”
“Despite some good things, the anniversary edition is a poorly optimized game that desperately needs a bigger and better team to fully achieve its full potential.”
- replayability56 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with players enjoying the variety of gameplay options, customizable difficulty, and the ability to raise multiple wolf families. While some users note that the quests can become repetitive over time, the game's immersive world, diverse maps, and ongoing updates contribute to its lasting appeal. Despite a few concerns about potential limitations in replay value, many players find themselves returning to the game repeatedly due to its engaging mechanics and educational aspects.
“It has tons of replayability, and even if I decide to take a break from the game for a bit, I always end up coming right back to it eventually.”
“The detail and AI and wolf creation makes it infinitely replayable, and hunting as my wolf scratches an itch that very few other first-person animal games can.”
“The gameplay is fun and has tons of replayability, and the world your wolf inhabits has so many small details that tie everything together into an immersive experience.”
“A single playthrough is about 4-6 hours, and replayability isn't phenomenal but it's passable.”
“It gets super repetitive after a while, despite their attempts to make it replayable with perks and such.”
“As of 8/27/2024, replayability is limited and some players may get bored.”
- grinding54 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 69 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious and repetitive, particularly in tasks like marking territory and managing resources, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate the realism and find the gameplay engaging, others feel it requires excessive time investment and can become monotonous. Overall, the experience varies significantly based on individual preferences for simulation and micromanagement.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It's incredibly tedious and painful, and if you aren't able to get said achievement, you're forced to restart your save to the beginning.”
“If you're not invested in your wolves or territory or, in general, only really care about finishing the quests and being done with the game, then this game can quickly become repetitive and even downright tedious.”
“The only negative that I'd say is that marking your territory in the raise pups quest is a bit tedious, even more so when you have fleas to think about and really engaging pup gameplay alongside it.”
- emotional47 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often feeling heartbroken when their virtual pups face danger or die, leading to real tears and intense attachment. The game's realistic portrayal of wolf life, combined with a supportive community and dedicated developers, creates a wholesome and immersive experience that resonates with players on a personal level. Overall, the emotional investment in the game is a significant aspect, making it both heartwarming and occasionally heartbreaking.
“You get weirdly emotionally attached to your pups, and the realism in the way they stumble out of the den for the first time is really heart touching.”
“Though it's heartbreaking as your pup-pack dwindles over time as you try so hard to keep them alive and free from sickness, predators, and hunger, at the end when you've succeeded with a few, it's so worth it!”
“The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack further enhances the emotional connection to the game, evoking a sense of awe and wonder.”
- humor39 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying the funny personalities of the characters and the lighthearted nature of the community. Many reviews highlight amusing glitches and quirky animations, which add to the overall charm and entertainment value of the game. The developers' engaging and humorous communication through devblogs further enhances the fun experience, making it a beloved choice among players.
“Between devblogs coming out every other week showing us progress on the 'saga', new mechanics, and even sharing funny footage of glitches they have overcome, this is a ridiculously dedicated team.”
“The hilarious glitches that are shown in the devblogs make everything feel so personal, giant wolves, messed up animations, and the forever loved floppy the moose.”
“You can get a mate, have puppies, it's just a really perfect and amazing game with some funny glitches as well!”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning graphics and immersive environment, effectively capturing the essence of being a wolf in the wild. Players appreciate the realistic ambient sounds, dynamic wildlife interactions, and the ability to experience a captivating and ever-changing world. Overall, the atmosphere enhances the gameplay, making it a memorable experience that resonates with players' inner child.
“Love this game, it's not even finished and the atmosphere and feeling of being a wolf in the wild is everything my inner child wished for.”
“The atmosphere the game creates is so realistic and immersive, and the saga will only improve that.”
“The game's audio immerses you in the world of the wolf, with realistic ambient sounds, howls, and animal calls that create an authentic and captivating atmosphere.”
“Not hear more political news in an already turbulent atmosphere.”
“They are definitely going for a sense of realism in the atmosphere, gameplay, etc, although the 'easy' mode is very easy, I recommend 'challenging' once you know how to play.”
“[i] The atmosphere of Yellowstone is really upheld in the game's nature noises.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Wolfquest's monetization strategy is well-received, as it avoids aggressive microtransactions and advertisements, focusing instead on purely aesthetic in-game purchases. Players appreciate the upcoming lost tower map as a paid addition, viewing it as a thoughtful enhancement rather than a cash grab, and commend the game's commitment to education and quality.
“They are releasing the Lost Tower map as an in-game purchase, supposedly later this year, which is nice!”
“Wolf customization is great even without in-game purchases!”
“Microtransactions should be purely aesthetic.”
“They are releasing the lost tower map as an in-game purchase, supposedly later this year, which is nice!”
“They, unlike Frontier, don't treat it as a cash grab, but as an educational experience, and you can see the heart and soul poured into it.”