Way of the Hunter 2 Anmeldelse (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, & PC)

It would be within your rights if you choose not to play Way of the Hunter 2 because of the underlying core mechanic of hunting animals for sport. Except that this series is intentionally focused on more than that. It puts effort into creating a realistic hunting simulation experience that feels as real as tracking blood trails in the Serengeti. As real as moving quietly and situating yourself in a spot that gives you the cleanest shot. Mind you, there are so many factors to consider before you can even pull that trigger. Factors like whether there is a strong gush of wind and the direction it’s blowing toward. You have to consider how far you are from your target, or your bullet will lose its energy. You have to pick your target carefully, too. 

When they are a loner, it might be an easier choice to make. However, approaching a herd comes with additional factors to consider. In Way of the Hunter 2’s case, it adds an additional layer of genetics and fitness to every animal you view through your rifle scope. The strongest animal can earn you bragging rights among the online player crew. At what cost, though, given that the game also considers the overall health of the animal population. The strongest animals ensure that the herd remains healthy. And yes, there is a tracking system for how many days, weeks, and years pass during your hunting escapades. 

So, you see. This isn’t your average hunting game. Not in the slightest. It’s far more than hunting for sport. In fact, it might instill in you the values of conservation and preservation, while treating you to the wonders of nature. Cue my review of Way of the Hunter 2.

Survival Instinct

If you’re looking for a story that explains why you’re a hunter, something that gives you purpose in Way of the Hunter 2, I’m sorry to report that it doesn’t exist. It’s interesting because the first game did, in fact, have a story. It gave you some interesting drama you could indulge in. This time, all you have are NPCs, and their main role is to guide you on your hunting missions. They are your tutors, and nothing more. I personally didn’t mind it at all. Well, perhaps the conversations with the NPCs could have been more enjoyable rather than purely instructional. 

Anyway, I set off to explore Canadian New Laurentia and the Kilimaya Reserve in Africa. It truly is majestic, realistic, and simply beautiful to explore. As far as the virtual simulation of real-life natural ecosystems goes, Way of the Hunter 2 does a great job of placing you inside what feels lively and surreal. The animals roam in the wild, enjoying the diversity of the terrain. They run amok in the wild, and most importantly, behave like real-life animals. It’s not a perfect system, but it works beautifully. And especially when the animals sense your presence. Some have a strong sense of smell or are more sensitive to the sound of your footsteps. They won’t hesitate to scamper away at the slightest sense of danger approaching.

The Waiting Game

Yet, there seems to be some balancing issues during your exploration and hunting. New Laurentia is massive, and that means that you’ll have to walk for long stretches at a time before you spot an animal you can hunt. At times, you might get lucky and spot one before you grow frustrated over the search. Some places are more likely to have animals wandering about than others. Watering holes, for instance. Still, when you’re just starting out, it can feel like a walking simulator trying to do what you’ve logged into the game to do, which is to hunt. 

Anyway, so you finally find an animal, and the factors I talked about in the introduction to my review come into play. Wind, distance, your position in relation to the herd… all of these are factors that you have to consider before you can get to shooting. Fail to carefully put them into consideration, and the game won’t respond in kind. The animals will run away when you get too close. Perhaps too sensitively because it can be difficult at times to pin down the most primal spot. And here’s where the balancing can be an issue, where the game seems to intentionally make it hard for you to hunt.

Spooky Season

Let’s say, though, you’ve successfully got your bearings right and finally set up your rifle for the kill. Here’s the other catch. You might not end up pulling the trigger. Why? Well, hunting all the animals you see may not pay off. There are the basics. Some animals are harder to kill than others. A hippo will drain your ammo, easy. And the slightly annoying part is that once you take that first shot, the animal is spooked and will run for their life. And you’ll have to track them down by following the blood trail they leave behind. Let’s say your shot isn’t as damaging as you hoped. Let’s say it only scrapes the animal that you’ve spent a considerable amount of time. 

Still, you might find animals whose star ratings aren’t as high as you hoped. Or their genetics aren’t ideal to take the shot yet. And that can go two ways, where you might want the animal to remain in the herd and grow stronger. Or they might already be strong enough, yet you want them to keep the herd healthy through breeding. But what if the animal with strong genes dies the next time you find it, because, typically, stronger animals may also be aged. Even as I list all of the complications that might come up while playing Way of the Hunter 2, I’m still fascinated by them all, because, again, this isn’t your everyday hunting game.

Beyond Hunting

You aren’t a poacher. You aren’t a mindless hunter killing animals for fun. No. You are so much more. A vital organ of the dynamic ecosystem. Nature might thrive and evolve on its own. However, you’re the gentle hand that helps guide it toward prosperity. You gently nudge things toward a future that is healthier and brighter. And that’s precisely why I think Way of the Hunter 2 isn’t necessarily for gamers who enjoy hunting. It’s for anyone with an interest in animal conservation and preservation. It may also entice those who enjoy calculating the next move based on several factors that change consistently.

More to Come

Compared to the first game, Way of the Hunter 2 has added a lot of transformative features. You now have a doggy to help you track wounded animals. They provide companionship and are pretty good at their job. However, I do have to mention that future updates will be coming to the full release, including advanced mechanics for your dog companion. Another feature the sequel adds is the genetics and the ability to view the statistics of each animal through your scope. Meanwhile, you also receive useful feedback for each shot you take, showing you the wind impact, distance, and even how much damage you have inflicted on the target. This helps to refine your next shot and hunting strategies. 

I appreciate the variety of animal species the sequel currently has, although more have been promised in the future. You also have a wide range of weapons to choose from. Those who prefer snipers should enjoy the aim and accuracy of those on here. However, archers should still enjoy drawback speed and accuracy, with some decent sound feedback. I suppose the gunshot sound could be punchier. You don’t really hear it roar through the forests. And on that note, the animals may sometimes react casually to getting hit. At times, I’m not even sure if the shot actually landed. 

Verdict 

And that’s about it, at least expounding on the features and the mechanics that play a significant role in your gaming experience. Way of the Hunter 2 is a lot of fun, though not the usual kind you might find in kinetically charged shooters. It’s slower-paced and encourages you to smell the flowers and enjoy the chirping of the birds. The ambient sounds of the environment fill your senses with relaxation and pleasure, before you get to the actual hunting.

Yet, even the hunting itself isn’t frenetic at all. It’s slow and deliberate. You have a lot of factors to consider before choosing a perfect spot to set up your rifle. Before you pull the trigger, you have to ask yourself whether you have the right animal. And not just in the type of species, but the genetics and impact on the overall population. This isn’t just a game about hunting, but about conserving and preserving ecological systems. Hence, it can be for fans of hunting, but also anyone who wants to enjoy nature and the elements that make it special.