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

theHunter: Call of the Wild™

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

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • Stunning realistic graphics and immersive environments
  • Relaxing and slow-paced gameplay
  • Deep tracking and hunting mechanics
  • Cooperative multiplayer experience
  • Meaningful progression and skill development
Things to keep in mind
  • 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

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Way of the Hunter

  • Elite Dangerous

  • VEIN

  • Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR'S CUT

  • Prehistoric Hunt

  • Far Cry® 5

  • Last Group Out

  • Red Dead Redemption 2

  • Tinkerlands

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Last Group Out

  • Lynked: Banner of the Spark

  • Embers Adrift

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Honkai Impact 3rd

  • Exploration

    Castlevania Advance Collection

  • Relaxation

    Voyagers of Nera

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

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

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • 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 (hidden on purpose).

theHunter: Call of the Wild™: 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.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to explore vast open world, choose activities such as naval battles, treasure hunting, fort capturing, and side quests at their own pace."

    Capsule for Assassin’s Creed® IV Black Flag™ Assassin’s Creed® IV Black Flag™

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

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game offers challenging survival mechanics, hunting, territory defense, and pack management requiring skill and strategy, with difficulty settings and meaningful feedback."

    Capsule for WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition

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

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -2

    "Focus is mainly on personal progression and overcoming game challenges; multiplayer is cooperative rather than competitive."

    Capsule for Risk of Rain Returns Risk of Rain Returns

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

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long play sessions and habitual play, with progression and exploration motivating continued engagement."

    Capsule for Decision: Red Daze Decision: Red Daze

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

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Multiplayer cooperative mode allows hunting with friends, adding social and teamwork elements."

    Capsule for Prehistoric Hunt Prehistoric Hunt

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

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Some customization of gear and hunting setups like decoy placement, but limited creative building or modification."

    Capsule for BULT: Hunting simulator BULT: Hunting simulator

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

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

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

    Capsule for Fishing Planet Fishing Planet

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

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strong escapism through immersive story, emotional engagement, and distraction from real-life stress."

    Capsule for Honkai Impact 3rd Honkai Impact 3rd

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

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Foundation Foundation

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

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different weapons, perks, and tactics; some exploration of mechanics like stealth and building."

    Capsule for BRAIN / OUT BRAIN / OUT

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

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay involves discovering new areas, secrets, and backtracking in large maps."

    Capsule for Castlevania Advance Collection Castlevania Advance Collection

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

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

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

    Capsule for Thief: Deadly Shadows Thief: Deadly Shadows

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

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -2

    "Focus on realistic hunting simulation with plausible scenarios and environments."

    Capsule for Hunting Unlimited 2010 Hunting Unlimited 2010

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

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

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

    Capsule for ASTRONEER ASTRONEER

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

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop hunting skills, learn animal behavior, and improve through feedback and progression."

    Capsule for Way of the Hunter 2 Way of the Hunter 2

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

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Mortal Kombat 11 Mortal Kombat 11

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires continuous attention and focus; gameplay is fast-paced and demanding."

    Capsule for STALCRAFT: X STALCRAFT: X

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

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

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

    Capsule for SCP: Nine-Tailed Fox SCP: Nine-Tailed Fox

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

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -2

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

    Capsule for Entropy Survivors Entropy Survivors

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong progression through weapon upgrades, perks, cosmetics, and unlocking map areas."

    Capsule for Sker Ritual Sker Ritual

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

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    5

    "Game is frequently described as relaxing, chill, and stress-free with soothing visuals and music."

    Capsule for Voyagers of Nera Voyagers of Nera

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

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

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

    Capsule for Corsairs Legacy - Pirate Action RPG & Sea Battles Corsairs Legacy - Pirate Action RPG & Sea Battles

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

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -1

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

    Capsule for Kitty Powers' Matchmaker Kitty Powers' Matchmaker

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

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    1

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

    Capsule for Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot

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

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires planning, problem solving, and tactical decision-making during hunts and rituals."

    Capsule for Ghost Exile Ghost Exile

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

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some tension from hunting and survival elements, but overall experience is calm and measured."

    Capsule for Ranch Simulator: Build, Hunt, Farm Ranch Simulator: Build, Hunt, Farm

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

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players perceive good value especially on sale; base game is cheap with lots of content, DLC is expensive but considered worth it by many."

    Capsule for Muse Dash Muse Dash

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

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat and hunting are core mechanics involving killing predators and animals for survival."

    Capsule for Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

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

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some survival elements like avoiding dangerous animals and tracking wounded prey, but limited threat complexity."

    Capsule for Hunting Unlimited 2010 Hunting Unlimited 2010

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

Last update: 01/06/2026