Info about theHunter: Call of the Wild™:

Official game description:
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About the Game
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Discover an atmospheric hunting game like no other in this realistic, stunning open world – regularly updated in collaboration with the community. Immerse yourself in the single player campaign, or share the ultimate hunting experience with friends.  
Roam freely across meticulously crafted environments and explore a diverse range of regions and biomes, each with its own unique flora and fauna. Experience the intricacies of complex animal behavior, dynamic weather events, full day and night cycles, simulated ballistics, highly realistic acoustics, and scents carried by the wind.  
Select from a variety of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to create the ultimate hunting experience. With a diverse range of wildlife, including Jackrabbits, Mallard Ducks, Black Bears, Elk, and Moose, you will need to strategically match prey to weaponry to successfully track, lure, and ambush animals based on their unique behavior and environment.  
Developed in close collaboration with the community, theHunter: Call of the Wild offers a wealth of paid and free content, including reserves, hunting equipment, weapon packs, and trophy lodges. With new content and updates regularly added, players can look forward to a constantly evolving experience.  
Every hunt has a unique story to tell. Immortalize your tales of triumph from the Layton Lake and Hirschfelden reserves by displaying your most prized trophies in your spacious Trophy Lodge, or relax by the fireplace as you plan your next hunt.  
Experience online multiplayer for up to eight players in breathtaking hunting reserves. Collaborate and strategize with friends, or compete to take down the most impressive trophy. You can access any paid DLC reserve as long as one member of your hunting party owns it.

Release date: Feb 16, 2017

Categories: Hunting Simulation, Open-World Exploration, Animal Interaction, Realistic Simulation, Multiplayer, Survival, Trophy Hunting and Collection

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 75; verdict: Aggressive Monetization; summary: The game has a significant amount of content locked behind DLC paywalls, which can be frustrating for players. While the base game can still be enjoyable, the experience is greatly enhanced with additional DLC purchases. The aggressive marketing and high cost of DLCs can make the game feel expensive over time. Some players also express concerns about the game being pay-to-win, where purchasing DLC can provide significant advantages.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Improvement in Instructional Data and Technical Stability; summary: The primary user complaints revolve around the need for instructional data to understand game mechanics and find content, as well as technical issues related to multi-monitor setups. The lack of in-game tutorials and the necessity to refer to external guides and wikis are significant barriers to enjoying the game.
- Proton/Linux: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game has mixed reviews regarding its compatibility with Linux. While some users report that it runs fine on Linux Mint and Steam Deck, others experience crashes and need specific Proton versions and launch options to get it running smoothly. Overall, the game seems to require some tweaking but is generally playable on Linux.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game has significant issues with multiplayer sync, frequent crashes, and a non-intuitive interface, which severely impact the user experience. However, it also receives praise for its performance on Steam Deck with some tweaking. Performance and optimization issues are noted, particularly with overheating and fan noise.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance varies significantly across hardware cohorts, with higher VRAM configurations generally reporting smoother gameplay. Lower VRAM setups often experience crashes and lag, while higher-end systems enjoy stable and high frame rates.
  - Sample size: 368 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (mixed, 144 reports): Users report a mix of stable performance and frequent crashes, with some experiencing smooth gameplay and others facing significant lag.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (positive, 72 reports): Generally positive reviews with high frame rates and smooth gameplay, though some users report occasional crashes.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 67 reports): Mostly positive feedback with great performance on ultra graphics, though some users mention crashes and glitches.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 52 reports): Positive reviews with high frame rates and smooth gameplay, though some users report minor glitches and crashes.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 15 reports): Consistently high performance with buttery smooth frame rates and minimal issues reported.
  - Caveats: 368 of 21917 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $3.50 - $4.20
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently mentions that the game is often enjoyed and purchased during sales, with specific price points frequently cited around 500-600 yen (approximately 3.50-4.20 USD). This indicates that the community finds the game reasonably priced and worth buying within this range during sales. The repeated mention of these sale prices suggests a perceived fair value for the base game.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 100.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct mentions of playtime metrics. The first quote mentions 7 hours of playtime to kill 3 animals, indicating a slow progression or session length. The second quote compares the ease of gameplay in another game, implying that the target game might require more time to achieve similar results. The third quote humorously suggests that the game involves extensive walking, implying long session lengths. The fourth quote explicitly mentions spending hours exploring and learning maps, which supports the idea of long play sessions and potentially long completion times.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game becomes fun after players overcome the initial learning curve, often with the help of external tutorials, and is enhanced by multiplayer experiences with friends.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Understanding the basic mechanics through external tutorials
  - Time to anchor: 0h 15m
  - Friction: Steep learning curve; Lack of comprehensive in-game tutorial; Realism can be challenging for beginners
  - Unlock drivers: Watching external tutorials (e.g., YouTube); Playing with calm and patient friends in multiplayer
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Using external resources for learning; Having a calm and patient mindset
- Player Archetypes:
  - Completionist Grinder (sale)
    - Motivation: Achieving 100% completion and collecting all in-game items.
    - Playstyle: Methodical and persistent, focusing on completing all missions and collecting all trophies.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: completionist; grinder
    - Reference games: The Hunter Classic
  - Chill Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: Exploration and relaxation in a beautiful, immersive environment.
    - Playstyle: Leisurely and exploratory, focusing on enjoying the scenery and the hunting experience.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: outdoor enthusiast; hunter fantasy
    - Reference games: Big Game Hunter Pro Hunts
  - Social Multiplayer Hunter (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoying the game with friends and experiencing teamwork in multiplayer mode.
    - Playstyle: Cooperative and social, focusing on multiplayer hunts and shared experiences.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: multiplayer enthusiast; co-op player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Critical Nostalgic (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and a desire for a more complete and less monetized gaming experience.
    - Playstyle: Critical and reflective, focusing on the game's shortcomings and comparing it to past experiences.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: nostalgic player; critical gamer
    - Reference games: The Hunter Classic


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Stunning graphics and environments (weight 0.38): The game features beautiful and breathtaking landscapes, high-quality textures, and realistic lighting. Players consistently praise the visual fidelity and immersive environments.
- Diverse and realistic wildlife (weight 0.26): The game features a wide variety of animals with realistic behaviors. Players enjoy learning about and observing the diverse wildlife.
- Unique and realistic hunting (weight 0.25): The game provides a unique and realistic hunting experience with a variety of animals and techniques. Players find the hunting mechanics engaging and enjoyable.
- Fun and enjoyable gameplay (weight 0.24): The game offers a fun and engaging experience with enjoyable challenges and exploration. Players find it highly entertaining and enjoyable, especially with friends.
- Immersive open-world experience (weight 0.21): The game provides an immersive experience with authentic and detailed open-world environments. Players appreciate the depth and realism of the landscapes.
- Relaxing and peaceful experience (weight 0.17): The game offers a relaxing and meditative experience, perfect for unwinding. Players enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and immersive environments.
- Enhanced with DLCs (weight 0.1): The game offers worthwhile expansions and DLCs that enhance the gameplay experience. Players find the additional content interesting and valuable.
- Encourages ethical hunting (weight 0.07): The game promotes ethical hunting practices and teaches patience and respect for nature. Players appreciate the emphasis on strategy and ethical considerations.
- Multiplayer and cooperative play (weight 0.07): The game supports multiplayer and cooperative play, allowing players to join with friends or family. Players find the multiplayer experience enjoyable and well-implemented.

Common complaints:
- Excessive and expensive DLCs (weight 0.38): The game is heavily criticized for its focus on selling a large number of DLCs, which are seen as expensive and sometimes necessary for a complete experience.
- Bugs and technical issues (weight 0.22): Players report various bugs and technical issues that affect gameplay, including unpredictable animal behavior and collision problems.
- Developer focus on DLCs over fixes (weight 0.12): Developers are criticized for prioritizing the release of new DLCs over fixing existing bugs and issues in the game.
- Difficulty for beginners (weight 0.1): The game has a steep learning curve and can be difficult for beginners to get into initially.
- Limited base game content (weight 0.1): The base game is perceived as lacking content, with many essential features and mechanics locked behind DLCs.
- Animal tracking difficulties (weight 0.07): Tracking animals in the game can be time-consuming and difficult, with some animals taking a long time to catch.
- Pay-to-win mechanics (weight 0.04): The game includes pay-to-win mechanics, which can be frustrating for players.
- Unrealistic elements (weight 0.04): Some aspects of the game, such as ballistics and animal behavior, are criticized for being unrealistic.
- Large game size (weight 0.04): The game is criticized for its large file size, which can be a drawback for some players.
- Poor hit system and interface (weight 0.04): The game's hit system and interface are described as poor and ineffective, leading to a frustrating experience.
- Cumbersome inventory management (weight 0.04): The inventory management system in the game is criticized for being cumbersome and not optimized.
- Rare animal spawn issues (weight 0.04): Players report very low spawn chances for rare animals, making it difficult to encounter them in the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Open-world exploration (weight 0.18): Players can explore a vast open world, discovering various landscapes and engaging in activities. The game emphasizes exploration and observation of animals.
- Educational animal tracking and behavior (weight 0.16): The game emphasizes learning and tracking animal behaviors, including their routines, feeding times, and movement patterns. Players engage in educational aspects such as conservation and respect for nature.
- Patience and strategy in hunting (weight 0.14): Hunting in the game requires patience, strategic thinking, and time management. Players need to consider various factors and plan their actions carefully.
- Realistic hunting mechanics (weight 0.14): The game features realistic hunting mechanics, including animal and weapon behaviors. It focuses on slow-paced, realistic hunting techniques and strategies.
- Variety of maps (weight 0.14): The game offers a variety of maps, each with unique strategies and hunting methods. Players can explore different regions and landscapes.
- Trophy hunting and collection (weight 0.13): The game includes trophy hunting and collection as a key feature. Players can hunt for trophies and display them in hunting lodges.
- Variety of animals and weapons (weight 0.12): The game features a diverse range of animals, weapons, and maps. Players can choose from various weapons and hunting techniques.
- Tracking and shooting animals (weight 0.12): Players need to track, approach, and shoot animals carefully. Different shooting strategies are required for various animals.
- Progression system (weight 0.12): The game includes a skill-based progression system, offering a learning curve for new players. It provides a sense of achievement and long-term motivation.
- Multiplayer and single-player modes (weight 0.11): The game offers both multiplayer and single-player modes, providing a variety of gameplay experiences and features.
- Complex animal AI behavior (weight 0.09): The game features detailed and unpredictable animal behaviors affected by weather and wind. AI companions and animal detection mechanics add to the complexity.
- Relaxing and immersive atmosphere (weight 0.08): The gameplay is designed to be relaxing, meditative, and immersive. The atmospheric and detailed environments enhance the overall experience.
- Different hunting styles (weight 0.05): The game offers varied hunting techniques and styles, allowing players to hunt different species in various regions.
- Additional content through DLC (weight 0.04): DLC maps and items enhance gameplay by offering additional content, new equipment, and locations.
- Different camera perspectives (weight 0.04): The game offers different camera perspectives, including first-person and third-person modes, as well as a photo mode.

Performance notes:
- Excellent performance on various settings (weight 0.16): The game runs smoothly across a wide range of graphics settings, from low to ultra, including 4K resolution at high settings.
- Occasional bugs and glitches (weight 0.13): Players report encountering bugs and glitches, though some mention that bugs are being fixed.
- Performance issues on older hardware (weight 0.08): The game has problems running on older PCs, including crashes and high system requirements.
- Frequent crashes and stability issues (weight 0.05): Some players experience frequent crashes, including crashes on startup and when alt-tabbing.
- Network and multiplayer issues (weight 0.04): Players report server errors and connection problems in multiplayer mode.
- Audio and spatial sound issues (weight 0.04): There are reported issues with audio, particularly related to spatial orientation.
- Optimization issues on high-end PCs (weight 0.03): Even powerful PCs experience optimization problems, including performance drops in certain areas.
- Large game size (weight 0.03): The game occupies a significant amount of storage space, around 10% of a 1TB hard drive.
- Runs well on Steam Deck (weight 0.03): The game runs well on Steam Deck with some tweaking, providing a stable experience.
- Performance issues on high resolution (weight 0.02): Some players experience performance issues when running the game at high resolutions.
- Increased bugs with latest patch (weight 0.02): The latest patch has introduced more bugs, affecting the gameplay experience.
- Render distance problems (weight 0.02): There are issues with render distance, affecting the visual experience.
- FSR implementation needs upgrade (weight 0.02): The FSR implementation in the game needs improvement for better performance.
- Runs smoothly on Ubuntu (weight 0.02): The game runs smoothly on Ubuntu without stutters, indicating good compatibility with Linux systems.

Recommendations:
- DLC recommendations (weight 0.24): Players suggest buying specific DLCs like the ATV, Yukon Valley, and various weapon packs to enhance the gameplay experience.
- Buy during sales (weight 0.22): Many players recommend purchasing the game and its DLCs during sales to get the best value for money.
- Recommended for hunting enthusiasts (weight 0.15): The game is highly recommended for those who enjoy hunting games and the hunting genre in general.
- Positive impressions (weight 0.12): Many players have positive impressions of the game, praising its atmosphere and visuals.
- Suitable for patient players (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for players who enjoy slow-paced, immersive, and relaxing experiences.
- Future DLC hopes (weight 0.07): Players express hopes for future DLCs to include new areas and features.
- Try before buying DLCs (weight 0.07): Players suggest trying the base game before investing in DLCs to ensure it meets their expectations.
- Map and strategy tips (weight 0.07): Recommendations include exploring different maps and using specific strategies for hunting.
- Gameplay enhancements (weight 0.07): Suggestions for improving gameplay include adjusting settings, using specific ammunition, and watching guides.
- Mixed recommendations (weight 0.06): Some players recommend other games or suggest this game is suitable for non-hunters or those looking for a different experience.
- Bundle purchases (weight 0.03): Recommendations to buy the game in bundles for better value.
- Neutral to positive rating (weight 0.02): Overall rating leans towards positive, especially if purchased on sale.

Other player notes:
- DLC mentioned (weight 0.02): Players mentioned the DLC in their reviews.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Players are frustrated with various aspects of the game, including unrealistic animal behavior, detection mechanics, and the game's design choices. Issues such as slow movement speed, lack of missions, and the need for grinding with starter guns contribute to the frustration. Additionally, bugs, glitches, and the focus on DLCs instead of fixing core gameplay issues are major points of contention.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.15): Players enjoy the immersive and realistic hunting experience, beautiful landscapes, and the variety of animals and maps. The game's relaxing and engaging gameplay, along with the use of vehicles and dogs for hunting, contribute to the overall enjoyment. The detailed environments and high-quality graphics also enhance the gaming experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players find satisfaction in the realistic and immersive hunting experience, the sense of accomplishment from successful hunts, and the rewarding progression system. The game's beautiful views, strategic elements, and the variety of weapons and hunting methods contribute to a deeply satisfying gameplay experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Players are excited by the immersive and realistic hunting experience, the thrill of finding rare animals, and the variety of maps and animals. The engaging gameplay loop, high replayability, and the addition of new species to hunt contribute to the excitement. The adrenaline rush of hunting and the emotional impact of the game are also significant factors.
- Joy (weight 0.06): Players experience joy from the immersive and rewarding gameplay, beautiful scenery, and the fun of co-op or group play. The relaxing and enjoyable hunting experience, along with the realistic feel and immersive environments, contribute to the overall joy. Successful hunting and exploration also bring a sense of happiness and fulfillment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Players are disappointed with the amount of DLC content required to fully enjoy the game, the lack of certain gameplay mechanics, and the ineffectiveness of some features like the quad bike. The focus on DLC and money, along with the lack of depth and meaningful gameplay, contribute to the disappointment. Additionally, bugs and the lack of new player guidance are major points of frustration.
- Frustrated (weight 0.04): Players are frustrated with the need to buy DLCs to fully enjoy the game, the slow and grindy pace, and the lack of good player instructions. Bugs affecting gameplay, unrealistic animal behavior, and essential content locked behind DLC are major points of contention. Additionally, the inventory management issues and the loud human player footstep audio contribute to the frustration.
- Relaxation (weight 0.03): Players find the game relaxing due to its calming nature, beautiful landscapes, and the lack of time pressure. The immersive and enjoyable hunting experience, along with the game's relaxing gameplay, contribute to a stress-free and enjoyable experience. The natural landscapes and the overall relaxing atmosphere are also significant factors.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's realism and the detailed hunting mechanics. The engaging gameplay mechanics and the desire for multiplayer improvements contribute to the enthusiasm. Detailed descriptions of hunting strategies and weapon recommendations also enhance the overall excitement and engagement with the game.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Players are angry about the pricing strategy of the developers, the sale of buggy DLCs, and the lack of support. The difficulty in tracking animals and the inefficient grinding mechanics contribute to the anger. Additionally, the lack of understanding of hunting mechanics by the developers and the closure of support tickets without resolving issues are major points of contention.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the game's relaxing and challenging nature, the refreshing and engaging gameplay, and the detailed map descriptions and hunting tips. The exciting hunting experience and the positive experience with the game's content and mechanics contribute to the overall excitement. The variety of hunting scenarios and locations also enhance the gaming experience.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Players are happy about the game's atmosphere and mechanics, the engaging multiplayer experience, and the expansive area to explore. The addictive hunting game and nostalgic memories, along with the beautiful and enjoyable maps, contribute to the overall happiness. The realistic hunting simulation and the enjoyable multiplayer experience are also significant factors.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Players are satisfied with the game's presentation and gameplay, the engaging story missions, and the diverse DLC maps. The rewarding hunting experience and the positive experience with the game's hunting and exploration mechanics contribute to the overall satisfaction. The game's relaxing nature and the enjoyable hunting experience are also significant factors.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the beautiful scenery, the game's atmosphere and beauty, and the developers listening to community feedback. The game's balance and graphics, along with the positive portrayal of hunting and the educational aspects about conservation, contribute to the overall appreciation. The detailed and realistic hunting experience is also a significant factor.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgia from memories of seeing the game on TV as a child, playing with grandfather, and using real-life hunting skills in the game. The personal connection to the game's environments and the childhood memories of hunting stories contribute to the overall nostalgic experience. The comparison to theHunter Classic also enhances the sense of nostalgia.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised by the unexpectedly enjoyable gameplay and the game being different from expectations. Getting hooked on the game despite initial skepticism and the unexpected enjoyment and immersion contribute to the overall surprise. The game's ability to exceed initial expectations is a significant factor.
- Relaxed (weight 0.01): Players feel relaxed while playing the game due to its beautiful landscapes and sound immersion. The game's relaxing nature and the stress-free gameplay contribute to the overall relaxed experience. The immersive and enjoyable hunting experience is also a significant factor.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Players are disappointed with the game only being enjoyable with multiplayer, the lack of customization options, and the monotony in recent maps. The lack of improvement in ballistic effects and the lack of certain gameplay mechanics contribute to the overall disappointment. The focus on DLC and the lack of depth in meaningful gameplay are also significant factors.
- Positive (weight 0.01): Players have a positive experience with the game being the best hunting game for non-hunters, the visually stunning and smooth performance, and the incredibly detailed hunting simulator. The immersive experience and the game's ability to provide a realistic and engaging hunting experience contribute to the overall positive sentiment. The game's beautiful graphics and detailed environments are also significant factors.
- Amusement (weight 0): Players are amused by the humorous description of the hunting experience and the bear's behavior. The fun gameplay experience and the engaging and enjoyable hunting mechanics contribute to the overall amusement. The game's ability to provide a light-hearted and entertaining experience is also a significant factor.}