Hunting Simulator 2 | PC Review

Growing up, a distant relative of mine loved to hunt more than the average person. He introduced it to me at an early age. Teaching me how to put on our hunting gear, depending on the weather and where we were going, as well as what we were hunting. I enjoyed walking miles and miles to get to the tree stand, paying close attention to our surroundings and where we were stepping. Now this may seem like a lot of tedious mumbo jumbo to you, but to average hunters such as myself, it’s a pastime that will always be cherished. Thankfully, Hunting Simulator 2 reminds me of the good hunting times and the bad. Yet, it still draws me in wanting more.

Art of Hunting

Whether you’re an avid hunter or have only hunted one time, you know the feeling of waking up before the sun comes up. The feeling of getting dressed and eating breakfast on the go so you can get to the tree stand or blind. That urge to talk is nonexistent as you wait patiently for the chance to take down an elusive whitetail deer or a wild boar. Finally after waiting 8 hours, you spot the biggest buck you have ever seen. Towering over all the other deer, strutting their antlers to the rest of them. You slowly raise your rifle up and breathe out. Holding your breath, you line up your crosshairs and you wait for the perfect shot. You’ve taken your shot and the deer has been hit. However, he runs off leaving a trail of blood.

The patience you need in real life hunting is present in Hunting Simulator 2. It all starts with configuring your loadout for travels across the plains or through the forest, and buying licenses to hunt. That means if you don’t have the right license, you get fined. Neopica made this game as realistic as they possibly could, and I couldn’t be happier. Well, maybe if the dog could do tricks, it would be way cooler.

Your Loadout

As a hunter, I have to pay attention to the restrictions each area or region has on weaponry, as well as the caliber of bullet I use. Some animals you can hunt with only a bow or crossbow; some a 12-gauge shotgun. Others with a 306 Remington Rifle or a 270 Winchester. Each license is specific on what you can shoot and what you can use. In Hunting Simulator 2, while buying a license to hunt an elk, it luckily tells you what caliber rifle or shotgun to use on that specific animal. What’s nice though, is the fact that each animal has 3 or more kinds of rifles to use.

Two other good things to pack up in your loadout are urine scent and scent killer. In a pinch, scent killer is best used while it’s windy. This product makes your scent disappear to other animals. Helping you if you are downwind or too close to the animal. Urine scent has the opposite effects. This item is meant specifically for attracting animals so you can get them to come to you, and not the other way around.

The Sunrise

One of the best things about hunting is the sunrise on that crisp morning, the sun hitting your tree stand and hitting your face while you breathe in and feel the warmth. I can only say that while Hunting Simulator 2 is not real life, the look and feel made me remember every ounce of hunting I thought I forgot. There is definitely no shortage of realism in this game, which made me realize that it was created and developed in Unreal Engine 4. It makes this game so much better than I expected, with all that vibrant and stunning color.

Bred to Hunt

It might be no secret, but this game also features a 4-legged hunting friend. That’s right, you get a dog! This little guy/girl is a beagle, ready and able to hunt with you. You get to name him/her whatever you’d like. I named my beagle Biscuit. Not sure why, maybe I’ve always wanted a dog with the name Biscuit. Anyway, how you react to what the dog does determines his ability to find bigger and better animals for you. For example, you can praise the dog for finding freshly eaten grass or animal droppings. This allows the dog to comprehend that you are happy with him, much like you would do for your own dogs. Also, I don’t think there’s a downside to not praising your little pup, except he will be an amateur hunting dog forever. If you don’t praise or pet your dogs, you’re a monster.

Summary

Listen, there’s a lot in this game and patience will be your best friend here. Yet, it’s oddly satisfying and remarkably interesting the more you play. To be frank, there’s so much time you have to invest in this game if you are to be a pro at Hunting Simulator 2. Don’t let that scare you away though. Your fate is in your own hands when you are hunting, in real life and in this game. I do believe that the developing team at Neopica captured that essence and resounding feel of everyday hunting in this remarkable game!

This review is based on a PC copy of Hunting Simulator 2 provided by Homerun PR for coverage purposes. It is also available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.