Summary
Open-world games tend to have a plethora of mechanics that immerse players in the openness of their game worlds. Such mechanics includeextensive underwater combatand even hunting mechanics, with players exploring vast open worlds and hunting various creatures through traditional methods such as a bow and arrow or weaponry such as guns. These beasts exist in fiction and nonfiction and span expansive worlds.
Many open-world games have a hunting mechanism. However, not all of them are good. Despite this, numerous titles stand above their peers in delivering excellent hunting mechanics that pit players against some of the most dangerous wildlife in fantasy and real life.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis not a hunting game at its heart, but its hunting mechanics are some of the best in open-world gaming. Following the journey of a pirate turned assassin, Edward Kenway, in his quest to become the king of the oceans, Kenway travels the seas of the West Indies in a swashbuckling adventure - worthy of legend. Assassin’s Creed Black Flaghas a range of animals and creatures to hunt, from the biggest whales (using harpoons) to the smallest Howler Monkey.
Unlike other games on this list,Black Flagfeatures the most exotic animals to pursue, such as Iguanas and the Bull Shark. A standoutopen-worldhunting game and one of the best for exotic catches,Black Flagdeserves to be on this list.
Arguably the most immersive, diverse, and prettiest game on this list,Red Dead Redemption 2(RDR2)is known for its vast, in-depth hunting gameplay mechanics. Featuring 200 different animals and legendary creatures, such as the Panther,RDR2is an accomplished hunting game that lets players use various weapons, such as bows and guns with explosive cartridges, to hunt animals.
RDR2also added hunting mechanics such as collecting pelts that require limited shots for preservation and master hunter challenges that have players hunt some of the most powerful creatures in the game. While not the most extensive hunting game on this list, it is the most graphically intensive, with beautiful visuals and vistas.
Far Cry Primalis an open-world action-adventure game that puts players in the shoes of a primitive hunter named Takkar, who must fight to survive in a dangerous world full of massive creatures such as Woolly Mammoths and Sabretooth Tigers. Hunting is the core gameplay mechanic of its open world, with players able to hunt various animals, from the cute but angry honey badger to a cave lion and even a demon fish.
Players can also hunt legendary creatures such as Bloodfang Sabretooth and Great Scar Bear. In hunting these creatures, players can wield spears, clubs, bows, and even craft traps to capture beasts. Hunting is at the heart ofPrimal’s DNA - portraying one of the best open-world hunting experiences currently in gaming - making it the game for you if you’ve always wanted to hunt ancient creatures in a prehistoric world.
Developer (s)
Publisher (s)
THQ Nordic
Way of the Hunteris a hunting simulator through and through. While similar to most games on this list - featuringbeautiful environments, in-depth hunting mechanics, and an open-world experience,Way of the Huntergoes one step further with the most realistic hunting mechanics.Way of the Hunterfeatures in-depth shot review options that let players analyze their success in hunting creatures, with anatomy examination - allowing hunters to see how and where a creature was shot.
Way of the Hunteris, as a result, the most in-depth hunting game, with realistic hunting simulation mechanics best suited to the most hardcore hunters.
The Hunter: Call of the Wildis an open-world game built from the ground up to simulate an authentic hunting experience for players. Set across 15 idyllic nature reserves worldwide, such as the New England Mountains and Silver Ridge Peaks, the game enables players to explore vast open spaces to hunt animals such as Deer and bears. The sheer number of huntable creatures is extensive, with dozens of varieties across species.
For example, there are multiple types of bears to hunt. In the hunt for these animals, players must track, stalk, and kill, using numerous weapons, lures, and consumables. The game is also multiplayer, enablingcooperative playwith a friend as you explore the wilds for a prized hunt.The Hunter: Call of the Wildis easily the most extensive and in-depth open-world hunting game due to having the best all-around mechanics, blending the best parts of the other games mentioned on this list.
