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theHunter: Call of the Wild™ similar games & best alternatives

theHunter: Call of the Wild™

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4 • 2017

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

89/100

Genres

Adventure, Simulator, Sport, Strategy, Shooter

Similar games

    Pros

    • Stunning realistic graphics and immersive environments
    • Relaxing and slow-paced gameplay
    • Deep tracking and hunting mechanics
    • Cooperative multiplayer experience
    • Meaningful progression and skill development

    Cons

    • Heavy reliance on paid dlc for full experience
    • Some bugs and occasional ai inconsistencies
    • Slow pace may not appeal to all players
    • Limited weapon and equipment variety in base game
    • Some missions and achievements are bugged

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to explore vast open-world reserves, choose hunting strategies, weapons, and pace of play."

    • Competence
      4

      "Game rewards skillful tracking, shot placement, and understanding of animal behavior; missions provide challenges."

    • Competition
      -2

      "Focus is mostly on personal progress and experience; multiplayer exists but is cooperative and casual rather than competitive."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Many players report long playtimes and habitual engagement; progression and exploration encourage ongoing play."

    • Cooperation
      3

      "Multiplayer supports cooperative hunting with friends, enhancing social play."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Some customization of gear and hunting approaches, but mostly using predefined weapons and environments."

    • Domination
      -3

      "Interactions are generally respectful and cooperative; no evidence of dominance or power imposition."

    • Escapism
      5

      "Strong escapism through immersive nature environments and slow-paced hunting away from real life stress."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for relaxation and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players experiment with different weapons, tactics, and DLC content; some exploration of mechanics."

    • Exploration
      5

      "Core gameplay involves discovering new areas, tracking animals, and uncovering secrets in large maps."

    • Expression
      2

      "Some character and equipment customization, but limited cosmetic expression."

    • Fantasy
      -2

      "Focus on realistic hunting simulation and plausible scenarios rather than fantastical elements."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Community and multiplayer cooperation foster a sense of belonging among players."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop hunting skills, knowledge of animal behavior, and progress through skill trees."

    • Health
      -4

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires sustained attention and patience; slow-paced but focused gameplay."

    • Intimacy
      1

      "Some social interaction with friends in multiplayer, but limited evidence of close emotional bonds."

    • Leadership
      -2

      "Multiplayer is cooperative with shared roles; no strong leadership or authority roles described."

    • Progression
      4

      "Strong progression through unlocking weapons, skills, trophies, and new maps."

    • Relaxation
      5

      "Game is widely described as relaxing, chill, and suitable for stress relief."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Enjoyable visuals, sound design, and immersive atmosphere provide sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      -1

      "Some recognition through trophies and achievements, but social status is not a major focus."

    • Story
      1

      "Some lore and missions exist but story is minimal and not central to gameplay."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Requires planning, tracking, and tactical decision-making to succeed in hunts."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Moments of tension and excitement occur during hunts, but overall pace is calm and measured."

    • Value
      3

      "Players feel the base game and DLC provide good value, especially on sale."

    • Violence
      3

      "Hunting and shooting animals is central, involving combat and destruction."

    • Survival
      1

      "Some survival elements like avoiding animal attacks and tracking wounded prey, but low risk overall."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026