theHunter: Call of the Wild is a hunting simulation game that places players in expansive open-world reserves filled with wildlife. The experience centers on realistic tracking, stalking, and harvesting across varied terrain, with support for both solo exploration and group sessions on PlayStation 4.
Gameplay
Core mechanics revolve around locating animals through visual tracks, droppings, and other signs left in the environment. Players must account for wind direction to manage scent detection, listen for calls and movements, and adjust approach distance based on species-specific reactions. Dynamic weather and full day-night cycles influence visibility, animal activity, and shot accuracy, while simulated ballistics require consideration of drop and other factors during shots with rifles, handguns, or bows.
Equipment includes callers and scents to attract targets, alongside ATVs for faster travel across the roughly 50-square-mile reserves. A shooting range allows practice with weapons. Animal behavior incorporates fear levels that trigger state changes from calm to alarmed, leading to varied responses like fleeing or defensive actions. Skill progression unlocks perks that improve tracking efficiency, reduce sway when aiming, or enhance lure effectiveness.
Harvesting successful kills contributes to experience and in-game currency, with scores influenced by shot placement, weapon choice, and animal attributes. The system encourages careful planning around need zones where animals feed, drink, or rest.
Game Modes
Single-player sessions let hunters roam reserves independently, completing optional objectives and managing personal progression through the trophy lodge for displaying harvests. Exploration focuses on building familiarity with animal patterns and reserve layouts over repeated visits.
Multiplayer supports up to eight participants in shared sessions. One player hosts a reserve, and others join to collaborate on harvests or compete through host-activated challenges focused on specific animals or methods. Missions remain unavailable in these sessions, but spotting and map indicators help coordinate efforts. All players benefit from shared visibility of located animals within proximity.
Progression and Equipment
Experience gained from harvests and activities unlocks access to additional weapons, ammunition types, and skill tree advancements. Separate categories cover stalking improvements, ambushing tools like scents, and weapon handling for reduced recoil or better accuracy. Players match gear to prey, such as selecting appropriate rifles for larger species like bison or elk versus lighter options for smaller game including birds and rabbits.
Reserves feature diverse biomes supporting mammals, birds, and smaller creatures, with behavior systems that simulate feeding, sleeping, and movement schedules independent of player presence until interaction occurs.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player feedback highlights strong appreciation for the simulation depth, with Steam reviews rated Very Positive across hundreds of thousands of submissions and PlayStation Store ratings averaging 4.3 out of 5 from over 42,000 users. The game receives ongoing updates and additional reserves through community collaboration, maintaining active support years after release.
This title suits players seeking a deliberate, skill-based hunting experience that rewards patience, environmental awareness, and precise execution over fast action. Those who value realistic mechanics and open-ended exploration in a sports simulation context will find consistent engagement, while the multiplayer component extends sessions through shared hunts without altering the core loop. Availability on PS4 includes full access to verified features like vibration feedback and high-definition output.
