Summary
Modern gamesare full of different mechanics for players to enjoy and discover new ways to progress through their stories. From nearly unlimited exploration capabilities to hundreds of items and NPCs that can trigger main and side quests that usually yield valuable rewards or powerful skills.
One of the most fun mechanics that games can have is tracking. Few things are as exciting as chasing a specific kind of prey and being able totrack it down through a thick forest, a mountainous region, or even a small town full of people. While some games try and fail to implement hunting mechanics effectively, others do so impeccably. Here are some of thebest games with the most realistic tracking systems.
theHunter: Call of the Wildis arguably one of the most immersive experiences when it comes to games revolving around tracking down and hunting animals. This title not only features an amazing tracking system that’s based on looking for animal feces, broken branches, and footprints throughout a thick forest, but also requires a ton of patience, as it’s extremely easy to scare prey away.
Even accuracy matters intheHunter: Call of the Wild,as, depending on where players shoot the animal they’re tracking, they’ll have more or less hunting to do. A fatal headshot will often result in an immediate kill, whereas a body shot might take longer and the animal being hunted will likely still be able to run a few yards before it dies.
There’s no denying that hunting plays a key role inMonster Hunter: World. After all, even the name refers to this activity. However, while hunting is a central aspect of this title’s experience, the tracking system isn’t as complex as players would expect. In fact, it’s considerably simpler than those within other entries on this list.
This, in no way, shape or form, means that tracking down monsters inMonster Hunter: Worldis boring. Not in the slightest. The tracking system is simple, but very fun, as it allows players to look for clues and points of interest that can help them pinpoint where their prey is. Using the map also helps, especially when in proximity to prey.
Horizon: Zero Dawnis arguably one of PlayStation’s strongest exclusives of the last 10 years. Granted, the game is also available on PC, but it has undeniably helped PlayStation sell tons of consoles since its release. The game’s setting makes for the perfect opportunity to implement tracking mechanics, as domesticating machines is one of the central elements of the gaming experience.
As players explore this version of a vast post-apocalyptic Earth, they’ll come across different mechanical animals that they can tame and even ride. There are also predators that represent a considerable threat to players, and the tracking system allows them to get a better understanding of their position, which in turn, makes it easier to avoid them. Players can use Aloy’s Focus device to identify machine tracks and determine their trajectory to plan out different pathways to hide and remain undetected.
Red Dead Redemption 2is one of the most complete games of the last decade, which is why millions of players still have it on their regular playlist, even more than five years since it was first released. This title has an amazing story, great main and side quests, a beautiful world design, a personable lead character, and, of course, outstanding tracking systems. As Arthur Morgan, players can hunt down different kinds of prey, ranging from harmless hares and bunnies to deadly legendary crocodiles and bears.
Tracking down prey inRed Dead Redemption 2is complicated, but also very straightforward. Players will have to look for clues, such as footprints, to locate their prey, and then approach it slowly to avoid spooking them (or prompting them to attack if they’re larger predators). All in all, this title offers a very accurate representation of what hunting animals for food and pelts might have looked like in the last years of the American Wild West.
It’s no surprise thatThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunthas one of the greatest tracking systems in gaming, as monster hunting is a key aspect of the story. As Geralt of Rivia, players will make a living by talking to villagers spread across The Continent’s various settlements and taking on monster-hunting missions in exchange for coin. While there are some elements to this game’s tracking system, such as Geralt’s Witcher Senses, that aren’t faithful to hunting in real life, others, could very well be a part of a hunter’s journey.
The Witcher 3’s tracking system not only allows players to locate monsters to hunt down, but also reveals important clues in crime scenes that help further the narrative, and determine who or what committed the crime. Players can examine footprints, broken items, wounds on dead bodies, and even particular smells to get a better understanding of what they’re dealing with and how to prepare for when they find what they’re looking for.
