theHunter: Call of the Wild

An atmospheric hunting simulation game

theHunter: Call of the Wild is an atmospheric hunting simulation game where the player can enter a detailed visual world rendered in high-quality and hunt a variety of animals. While it's technically a game, this simulation still aims to provide a realistic hunting experience — at least as realistic as possible, given the medium.

There are many hunting and adventure games — see Hunting Unlimited and Hunting Simulator 2 for other examples — but those games are not as visually impressive as this one. It also features a number of hunting reserves to hunt in.

A detailed world for hunting

theHunter: Call of the Wild is the latest entry from the renowned theHunter franchise. Like its predecessors, this game aims to deliver a realistic hunting experience, with many hunting reservations to hunt in and many animals to pursue. The game goes into a lot of detail, including the soundscape, allowing players to detect animals by things like the rustling of leaves.

Expect an open-world location that combines different biomes. Explore various reserves, some of which are modeled from real-world locations. Part of the game’s challenge is in the slow and technical learning aspect. Here, you will take time to learn how and where animals roam and adapt your tacking and hunting patterns around each of them.

Hunt alone or with friends

Another major improvement in this entry is the addition of a multiplayer aspect. You can hunt alone or join up with friends to take down elusive prey. Similarly, you get to hunt using a variety of weapons. Whether you prefer traditional bows or the latest hunting rifles, you can assemble and purchase the weapons you need. Hunters are even given the choice among different scents and callers for luring prey.

Additional DLC is also available to further expand the content of the game, though it is not free. Some of the add-ons to explore include the following:

• Hunter Power Pack - A set of bolt-action rifles for that long-range precision and powerful shots, reflecting in their damage and sound effects.
• Hirschfelden Veteran Cosmetic Pack - Cosmetics pack inspired by the game’s Eurocentric custom map, the Hirschfelden Hunting Reserve.
• New England Mountains - A custom location pack inspired by the Appalachian Mountains.

Visit the Great Outback

Players will be treated to the Land Down Under with the Emerald Coast Australia and Layton Lake Cosmetic Pack DLC. The additional content package starts with the breathtaking landscape that is the Australian Outback. Players are also treated to subtropical bushlands, tropical rainforests, and a lot of unforgiving wilderness for the uninitiated. Accompanying you this time is a new rifle, the lightweight yet accurate Zagan Varminter .22-250 Bolt-Action Rifle.

To complete this add-on to theHunter: Call of the Wild, you have a new set of rare and unique trophies to hunt and display. Start with the Saltwater Crocodile, or track Eastern Grey Kangaroos or the Magpie Goose. More importantly, there’s a new Great One lurking in the murky corners of the outback. Round up your aesthetics with the Layton Lake cosmetic pack, as well as the new Australian Bushwear Outfit.

A highly detailed simulator

Naturally, this game is only likely to appeal to people who are interested in hunting. Indeed, people who are ideologically opposed to hunting may find the game offensive and unsettling. Anyone who enjoys hunting will unlikely be able to find a more realistic and detailed hunting simulator. There is also online cooperative play for players who want to hunt with friends.