Way of the Hunter for Windows

First-person open-world hunting game

Way of the Hunter is a first-person,  adventure game that combines an open-world environment with detailed challenges and an incredibly realistic natural environment. Both single-player and online co-op modes are supported, and it features a complex mission and map system, giving players the ability to add more species. Developed by Nine Rocks Games, it’s available on PC and gaming consoles. 

Way of the Hunter is similar to popular games like theHunter: Call of the Wild and Hunting Simulator 2, wherein you can experience intense FPS elements. It features a breathtaking panoramic landscape perspective and various well-known hunting locations found throughout the world.  

The notion of ethical hunting 

Way of the Hunter is not necessarily a shooting game in terms of actions that players can take. Instead, it places a significant amount of focus on how ethics are involved. In this game, you can explore and hunt in an expansive open-world environment set in the United States and Europe. You can even freely navigate the Pacific Northwest or even the Transylvanian forest. Players can encounter lifelike animals in stunning natural habitats and utilize a range of detailed and highly realistic weapons. 

Players can hunt in this game in a 24-hour day or night cycle with changing wind and weather. In this hunting game, being observant of your environment is crucial if you wish to take down an animal. Similar to real-life scenarios, factors like how a species behaves and downwind locations play important roles. This game also features animal signs, blood spatter analysis, and shot review with the rewindable bullet camera. 

To hunt animals, you can use weapons, wherein each of these is associated with specific benefits as well as drawbacks. There is also licensed gear that you can utilize: Bushnell, Federal, Leupold, Primos, Remington, and Steyr Arms. Additionally, this game has a shot analysis feature as well, wherein it can highlight factors, such as which organs were pierced and how fast the projectile was traveling. Players can also sell the meat of their hunted prey to purchase new gear, hunting passes, and taxidermy for their trophy stands. 

A more enhanced hunting environment 

With Way of the Hunter’s updated properties, wildlife behavior is more realistic, with animals reacting more naturally to environmental factors like wind and noise. This makes tracking and hunting more challenging, requiring players to be more strategic in their approach. The update also fine-tunes the ballistics system, making shooting more precise and satisfying. Whether you’re lining up a shot at a distance or tracking a moving target, the attention to detail in the mechanics is apparent and adds depth to the hunting experience. 

The 24-hour day or night cycle, a core aspect of the game, has been further refined with dynamic weather patterns that influence animal behavior and visibility. Hunting at different times of day feels more distinct, with variations in lighting and animal activity creating a more authentic experience. This makes the environment feel more alive and unpredictable, enhancing the sense of immersion of the players. 

This game’s version 1.26 also brings several quality-of-life improvements that streamline gameplay. The user interface has been cleaned up, making it easier to navigate menus and manage your gear. The addition of new markers and improved map clarity helps with planning hunts and tracking games more efficiently, too. Players with mid-range systems can notice smoother gameplay as well, particularly in dense forest areas where frame drops were previously an issue. However, as its focus is on hunting, it doesn’t have character development features. It is not ideal for players seeking purely character-driven gameplay. 

Hunt like a professional 

While this game is classified as a hunting sim, similar to Hunting Unlimited, the gameplay is much more immersive. It includes unique elements such as a trophy system, changing weather conditions, an interesting narrative, and extremely realistic natural environments. Whether you want to explore the Pacific Northwest or navigate through the depths of a Transylvanian forest, it can give you a fun and thrilling virtual hunting experience.