The Hunter Call of the Wild 2026 Review: Worth It

Few hunting games have sparked as many “should I buy?” debates as theHunter: Call of the Wild, which has grown into a sprawling open-world simulation with over 25 DLCs and a daily-discussed fanbase since its 2017 release. This review cuts through the noise to tell you exactly where it stands in 2026 — on PS5, on PC, and against newer rivals.

Release Year: 2017 ·
Developer: Expansive Worlds ·
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S ·
Metacritic Score (PC): 81 ·
DLCs: 25+ ·
Base Price: $19.99

Is theHunter: Call of the Wild any good?

Six years after launch, theHunter: Call of the Wild is often called the gold standard of hunting simulations — and for good reason. Its open-world reserves, realistic animal behavior, and ballistics create an experience that rewards patience and knowledge.

How difficult is theHunter: Call of the Wild?

• Steep learning curve: you must account for wind direction, animal scent, bullet drop, and noise.
• Beginners can start in the easier Layton Lake reserve with tutorials.
• Mastery takes dozens of hours — average playtime exceeds 100 hours per the community.

One Steam user review describes it as “a game that punishes you for rushing but rewards every patient stalk.” The difficulty is real but not punishing once you learn the basics.

Is theHunter: Call of the Wild worth buying in 2026?

• It remains the most content-rich hunting game, with over 20 reserves and countless weapon/equipment packs.
• Regular updates — the latest DLC (Angler Fishing Reserve) arrived in 2025 (official DLC page).
• Critics scored it 81 on Metacritic (PC); user reviews on Steam are “Very Positive”.
• The $19.99 base price frequently drops to ~$7 during Steam sales — excellent value.

The trade-off: much of the best content is locked behind DLC. If you buy the base game alone, you’ll get a solid 30-hour experience; the full kit costs considerably more.

The implication: this title remains the benchmark for hunting simulation enthusiasts, offering depth that rivals have yet to match.

Is Hunter: Call of the Wild on PS5?

Short answer: yes, but through backward compatibility — not a native PS5 version. The PlayStation Store listing still identifies it as a PS4 title (PlayStation Store). On PS5, you get faster load times and a more stable frame rate, but no ray tracing or DualSense-specific features. Xbox Series X/S users see similar improvements.

Is theHunter: Call of the Wild compatible with PS5?

• Yes — runs via backward compatibility with no additional purchase needed if you own the PS4 version.
• Online multiplayer works: up to 8 players on PS5 with PS Plus.

Does theHunter: Call of the Wild have PS5 enhancements?

• No native enhancements — it’s the PS4 code running under emulation.
• Performance: 60 fps target (less stable on original PS4).
• Load times are significantly reduced on PS5 SSD.

What this means: if you own a PS5, the game runs fine but you’re missing out on potential next-gen upgrades. For comparison, Way of the Hunter has a native PS5 version with DualSense support (PS Store).

The pattern: backward compatibility offers performance gains but leaves next-gen features on the table, a clear trade-off for console hunters.

Is theHunter: Call of the Wild free?

No — it’s a paid game. The base game sells for $19.99 on all platforms. However, it frequently goes on sale: on Steam, discounts reach 90% off, bringing it to about $2. That’s a fantastic entry point. There’s also a free trial on some platforms that lets you hunt in one reserve for a limited time.

Is theHunter: Call of the Wild free-to-play?

• Not free-to-play — it’s a premium title with paid DLC.
• Occasional free weekends on Steam and console stores allow trial.
• A demo version is not widely promoted; check store pages for current offers.

How much does theHunter: Call of the Wild cost?

• Base game: $19.99.
• DLCs: typically $3.99–$7.99 each for reserves; weapon packs $1.99–$3.99.
• Complete collection (as of 2026) can exceed $150 at full price, but bundle sales often cut that by 60–70%.

The value proposition: the base game offers about 30 hours of content; the DLCs expand it to hundreds. A Reddit user on r/theHunter advises: “Buy the base game on a deep sale, then pick one reserve DLC. If you love it, add more. Don’t buy the full bundle blind.”

The catch: the full experience is pricey, but smart buying during sales makes it one of the best value-per-hour titles in gaming.

Is Hunter: Call of the Wild still being updated?

Yes — updates continue as of early 2026. The most recent major release was the Angler Fishing Reserve in 2025, and the developer Expansive Worlds runs regular community events (e.g., the “Great One” competitions). Patch notes are published on the theHunter Support (official knowledge base).

What are the latest updates for theHunter: Call of the Wild?

• Angler Fishing Reserve (2025) — a full new map with fishing mechanics.
• Ongoing balance patches and bug fixes — the most recent in March 2026.
• Community manager stated on forums: “We are committed to supporting Call of the Wild with new content and improvements for the foreseeable future.”

How often does the game get new content?

• Roughly 2–3 DLCs per year since 2017.
• Reserve packs (large maps with new species) appear every 6–12 months.
• Weapon and equipment packs fill the gap between reserves.

The pattern: theHunter: Call of the Wild has one of the longest post-launch support cycles in the simulation genre. For players worried about buying a “dead” game, the evidence says the opposite.

The implication: ongoing support confirms the developer’s long-term commitment, making this a safe investment for years to come.

Why is theHunter: Call of the Wild so expensive?

The sticker shock is real when you see the total DLC price tag. But the base game itself is fairly priced at $19.99. The expensive perception comes from the DLC ecosystem: over 25 add-ons that can total $150+. However, many players argue that you don’t need all of them.

What is included in the base game?

• Four free reserves: Layton Lake, Hirschfelden, Medved-Taiga, and an additional starter map.
• Around 30 weapon and equipment items.
• Single-player campaign and multiplayer (up to 8 players).
• Trophy lodge (basic).

That’s enough for 30–50 hours of gameplay. A Third Coast Review (game review site) analysis notes that “the base game has substantial content but much of the best is locked behind 21 paid DLCs.”

How much does the complete collection cost?

• Full base game + all DLCs at retail: ~$160.
• During Steam sales: the complete bundle often drops to $25–$35.
• Platform comparison: console stores see less frequent deep discounts than Steam.

The trick: never pay full price. Set an alert on Steam or check Humble Bundle. A sale can turn the “expensive” game into one of the best value entertainment purchases per hour.

The pattern: the high full price is misleading; smart shopping makes it a budget-friendly deep simulation.

How difficult is theHunter: Call of the Wild?

It’s not a casual arcade shooter. The difficulty is its main selling point — and also its biggest barrier for new players.

• Animal senses are realistic: they react to wind direction, noise, and scent. Approach upwind or run and you’ll scare everything within 200 meters.
• Weapons have bullet drop and penetration physics. A heart shot from 150 yards requires correct caliber and hold-over.
• Tracking: you follow clues (tracks, droppings, calls) that degrade over time. Losing a blood trail is common.

The Steam Community discussion on difficulty frequently highlights that the game doesn’t hold your hand — but the satisfaction of a clean kill makes the grind worthwhile.

Is theHunter: Call of the Wild hard to learn?

• Steep but manageable. The tutorial walks you through basic controls, but advanced tracking and shot placement you learn by failing.
• Easier reserves (like Layton Lake) are more forgiving with dense cover and abundant prey.
• Many players report 5–10 hours before their first “good” hunt.

What this means: if you want a game you can master in a weekend, this isn’t it. If you enjoy depth and a sense of progression through skill, it’s unmatched.

Here’s a breakdown of learning time for key difficulty factors.

The pattern: the first 10 hours are the hardest. After that, the game opens up into a deeply rewarding simulation.

The catch: the steep learning curve filters out casual players, but those who persist find a uniquely rewarding experience.

What is the best offline hunting game?

For offline hunting simulation, the top two contenders are theHunter: Call of the Wild and Way of the Hunter. Both offer single-player campaigns, free roam, and no required internet connection.

How does theHunter: Call of the Wild compare to Way of the Hunter?

Here’s how they stack up across key features.

Which one wins depends on your priority. Want the largest world with the most gear and a proven community? theHunter: Call of the Wild. Prefer modern graphics, better trophy simulation, and a native PS5 experience? Way of the Hunter.

What are the top hunting games for offline play?

1. theHunter: Call of the Wild — best overall depth and content volume.
2. Way of the Hunter — best graphics and trophy system.
3. Hunting Simulator 2 — more mission-driven, less realistic.

A Reddit thread on r/theHunter sums it up: “If you want a hunting game that feels like a real hunt, get Call of the Wild. If you want one that looks like a nature documentary, get Way of the Hunter. Both are good.”

The pattern: the choice hinges on whether you prioritize content volume or modern presentation — there’s no clear winner, only a trade-off.

System requirements comparison

Here’s how the hardware demands differ between the two games.

The pattern: theHunter: Call of the Wild runs on much older hardware — even a decade-old budget PC can play it. Way of the Hunter demands a modern gaming rig. For budget buyers on low-spec laptops, the choice is clear.

The implication: low system requirements make theHunter accessible to a wider audience, while Way of the Hunter caters to those with newer PCs.

Pros & Cons

Timeline: theHunter: Call of the Wild (2017–2026)

• February 2017 – Initial release (Steam)
• 2018 – First DLC reserve: Medved-Taiga
• 2019 – Silver Ridge Peaks reserve added
• 2020 – New England Mountains reserve
• 2021 – Rancho del Arroyo reserve
• 2023 – Mississippi Acres reserve
• 2024 – Angler Fishing Reserve DLC released (fishing mechanics introduced)
• 2025–2026 – Ongoing updates and community events

The signal: a game that’s been supported for nearly a decade is rare. It shows a developer committed to the simulation niche.

What’s confirmed, what’s unclear

The pattern: the game’s future is bright but unscripted, with many unknowns that leave room for speculation.

Quotes from the community

“We are committed to supporting Call of the Wild with new content and improvements for the foreseeable future.”

— Expansive Worlds community manager (official forum statement)

“A game that punishes you for rushing but rewards every patient stalk.”

— Steam user review (Very Positive, thousands of hours played)

“If you want a hunting game that feels like a real hunt, get Call of the Wild. If you want one that looks like a nature documentary, get Way of the Hunter. Both are good.”

— Reddit user on r/theHunter (highly upvoted comment)

Summary: should you buy theHunter: Call of the Wild in 2026?

The answer depends on what you value. If you want the deepest hunting simulation with hundreds of hours of content, a living community, and a low entry price (on sale), this is the game. If you need modern graphics, a native PS5 version, or a simpler experience, you’re better off with Way of the Hunter. For the budget-conscious PC gamer with an older rig, the choice is clear: grab theHunter: Call of the Wild on a 90% off Steam sale. You’ll get a decade of content for the price of a coffee.

Related reading: **theHunter: Call of the Wild** · **Way of the Hunter**

For a deeper look at the game’s mechanics and value, check out our comprehensive guide for 2025.

Frequently asked questions