The Hunter

Panoramica

Caratteristiche

• Replica molto le sensazioni della caccia reale
• Riuscire finalmente a catturare un cervo è davvero appagante
• Stile di caccia reale con una splendida grafica

Review

I don'€™t know if it's a testament to The Hunter€ or a telling example of the sad state of hunting games on the market, but this free-to-play hunting simulation is, without doubt, the best hunting game I'€™ve played. And trust me €”I'€™ve been forced to play more than any sane man should ever have to experience.

Starting out, when you sign up the game looks like it'€™s a browser game. Where's this realistic hunting simulation?€™ you may ask. It doesn'€™t take long, though, to have the Emote Installer pop up, install the game, and off you go. While the game is launched from the website, it'€™s by no means a browser title. Most of the actions such as quests and examining your skills takes place on the site, but the meat and potatoes of the game is enjoyed in a client; and, might I add, the graphics in said client are fantastic, offering some of the most realistic outdoor textures I've seen in any game.

Right now, the main emphasis in The Hunter€ is to hunt (and kill) mule deer and turkey. Down the road, though, you can expect to see elk, likely bears, and maybe even fan favorites€ such as waterbirds. The developers have made it clear that expansion will be a key part in The Hunter,€ so if you like hunting but want more challenge than tracking deer, your time will come.

Then again, for most people what's already in 'The Hunter€ is going to be plenty; especially for real life hunters. The game is, without a doubt, the most realistic portrayal of hunting I have ever played on a computer monitor. A huge emphasis was put on getting information from real, top of the sport hunters, and their influence shows. Walking along grassy areas, crouching to lessen the sound of your movement as you try to stalk up on a deer—it just feels absolutely realistic, with the exception of your James Bond-like handheld device.

This device is basically you Quest NPC. As you find tracks, scat, or hear a call in the distance, activating your handheld device will show you the area you need to search in to find either more trails, or the animal itself. Sure, it'€™s not exactly something you'€™ll be able to take on your weekend hunting trip, but it makes it very easy for even newbie hunters to track deer by following clues, and it allows veteran hunters to enjoy the sights and sounds without worrying that they'll miss that one tiny hoof imprint.

The realism in The Hunter€ is both a great and bad thing. On one hand, those who love hunting and are looking for a good simulation will love The Hunter.€ You need patience, to stalk your prey (more in a bit), and to even learn the lay of the land. Miss your shot? Expect the deer to bolt, and you're back to square one. On the other hand, this is a generation of twitch gamers, and the idea of crouch-walking for 10 minutes without seeing a single deer, only to find a trail which leads to a dead end, might be asking too much of them.

If you have patience and enjoy the sport, you'€™ll love 'The Hunter.€ It'€™s as simple as that. It'€™s free, the graphics are surprisingly good (better than anything 'Cabella€ has put out), and realism is a huge factor. When you have to track a deer by following scat, listening to the sounds of nature, and then sneak through undergrowth while attempting to lessen the sound of your steps so that you can get a good shot off, you'€™ll swear you were actually out in the woods.

Okay, maybe not. But, for now, it's as close as you can get without leaving the safety (or comfort) of your home.