TheHunter: Call of the Wild asks players to hunt big game across North America, and it mostly delivers on that simple promise. It is not a deep game, but it is a steady one, built for players who want to track elk, deer, and moose through forests and plains rather than fight through a dungeon.
Trailer, via Expansive Worlds.
The Hunt Itself
The core loop is straightforward. Players pick a rifle, a location, and a prey animal, then move through the landscape looking for signs of life. The game rewards patience. Players must watch the wind, check their surroundings for cover, and make careful shots to avoid alerting the animal. When a shot lands, the payoff is satisfying, even if the actual process of getting there can feel slow.
The world itself is large and varied. From dense pine forests to open prairies, the environments change enough to keep each session feeling distinct. Weather effects add to the mood, with rain and fog changing how players approach a stalk. The audio design is strong too, with the sound of a gunshot carrying across the landscape in a way that feels physical.
Technical Flaws
TheHunter: Call of the Wild shows its age in places. Frame drops are noticeable during busy moments, especially when a player is moving fast through grass or snow. The game also struggles with pop-in, where distant objects appear suddenly as the player approaches them. These issues are not crippling, but they do break the sense of presence the game otherwise builds.
The UI is functional but dated. Menus are clunky, and some controls feel less natural than they should. None of this ruins the experience, but it does mean the game never quite feels polished.
The multiplayer component is a mixed bag. Players can team up to hunt together, which adds a layer of social interaction that single-player sessions lack. However, the online infrastructure shows its limits, and matches can suffer from lag or disconnects.
Where It Lands
TheHunter: Call of the Wild is at its best when players are alone, moving through a landscape that feels alive. The hunting mechanics are solid, and the attention to detail in the animal behavior is impressive. A successful stalk feels earned in a way that few games manage.
It falls short when it tries to expand beyond that core loop. The multiplayer and progression systems feel like afterthoughts rather than integral parts of the design. Some players may find the pace frustrating, especially early on, before they learn the rhythms of the stalking system.
Still, for players who enjoy methodical, patient gameplay, TheHunter: Call of the Wild offers a rewarding package. It is not a game that will appeal to everyone, but it does what it sets out to do with competence and occasional flair.
Key Facts
– Title: TheHunter: Call of the Wild
– Release Year: 2017
– Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Series X|S, PS5
– Critical Score: 7.4/10
TheHunter: Call of the Wild earns a 7.4/10.
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