Hunting Simulator 2

If you like going on long walks, if your favorite color is safety orange, or if you're never taking "must love dogs" out of your Tinder bio, then Hunting Simulator 2 is sounding your mating call.

Basically, then, the next-gen version of Hunting Simulator 2 is only worth considering if you’re buying it for the first time – especially the Xbox Series X/S version. It’s perhaps not the best hunting game ever made, but those into the activity will find that the hours will fly by as they attempt to bag themselves some epic trophies. And thanks to the power of next-gen, everything looks better than ever. The picturesque scenery makes even just taking a stroll through the wilderness enjoyable – if you don’t like hunting, consider it a dog-walking simulator instead.

I like Hunting Simulator 2 a lot more than I expected I would. Its relaxing pace is punctuated by moments of excitement when you see or hear the animal you're after, just like in real life. The realism is further built up by the licensed gear and firearms available for purchase. I definitely appreciate that Hunting Simulator 2 sticking to the fun parts while leaving out the post-kill process. My one wish is it had some kind of mission structure, or at least a challenge mode. But those are minor complaints, as I found myself drawn into it in a way I hadn't initially anticipated.

A respectable recreation of hunting that serves far better as a simulator than an actual game. For some, this will be exactly what you're looking for. For most, probably not.

There are a few ways that make real hunting a fun time and perhaps offer some thrills, even when there isn’t any. Being in the real outdoors, hunting, heightens all of your senses. Your ears twitch at the slightest noise and your sight narrows in like an eagle at the smallest movements. Even when you’re stationary, you at least get to appreciate the nature around you. The various wildlife that skitters by or the sun rising or setting. Heck, you even have the option to bring someone with y...

Despite some rewarding moments coming at the end of long tracking sequences, Hunting Simulator 2’s lack of meaningful progression and long stretches of emptiness make it miss its mark.

Ultimately, there are better options out there for those itching for a hunting game fix. Hunting Simulator 2 earns points for its selection of licensed firearms and novel hunting companion system, but little else. The whole experience feels unfinished and the lack of attention to detail works to undermine the genuinely good traits it has. 4/10 sad duck calls