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theHunter: Call of the Wild Critic Reviews: What Critics Said

Critics praised theHunter: Call of the Wild’s immersion, exploration and visuals, while criticizing bugs and interface friction. Its Metacritic score reflects a small 2017 review sample.
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theHunter: Call of the Wild received a mixed-to-average response in Metacritic’s launch-era critic sample: 64/100 from 13 reviews. Critics praised its natural-world immersion, exploration and visuals, but also pointed to bugs, awkward interface and design friction. The game’s deliberate, realistic pace may be the main draw for hunting-game fans—and the main barrier for casual players.

What was the critics’ overall verdict?

Metacritic’s PC critic-review page lists a 64 Metascore from 13 reviews and labels it “Mixed or Average.” Its breakdown is four positive reviews (31%), eight mixed (62%) and one negative (8%). Metacritic’s all-platform page also reports 64 from 13 critic reviews. These are the aggregator’s scores and classifications, not a universal measure of the game’s quality. Metacritic’s PC critic reviews; Metacritic’s all-platform page.

The sample is small and dates to the game’s original review period. Metacritic gives the initial release date as February 16, 2017, and the excerpts highlighted on its PC page are from 2017. The score is useful as a snapshot of contemporary critical reception, not a current reassessment of every update or later DLC release.

What did critics like?

Immersion and the natural world

The strongest thread in the cited excerpts is the sense of being in a living landscape. Metacritic attributes a review dated April 5, 2017, to CD-Action, which praised the freedom to explore, complex ecosystem and visuals for creating a strong feeling of communion with nature. Its assessment was not unreserved: the same excerpt also cited interface problems, design flaws and glitches.

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#1 Best Overall
TheHunter Call of the Wild - 2019 Edition (Xbox One)
  • Explore a Vast Open World. By Foot or ATV
  • Different Species - Different Challenge
  • Become a Hunter. Design the Hunt
  • Share Hunting Experiences and the Hunter Club. Earn Bragging Rights
  • Includes all 11 DLC

A convincing hunting atmosphere

A November 26, 2017 excerpt attributed to Ragequit.gr singled out the game’s realistic feel of hunting. It suggested that this authenticity could be especially appealing to experienced hunters, while potentially putting off casual players. That distinction captures the game’s central trade-off: the qualities that make it immersive can also make it less immediately accessible.

What were the main criticisms?

Interface friction and technical problems recur in the cited criticism. CD-Action’s excerpt mentioned a “horrible UI,” design flaws and common glitches. A February 24, 2017 excerpt attributed to Multiplayer.it also flagged bugs. These are dated review observations; they should not be treated as proof that every issue remains in the game today.

The game’s measured, realistic approach is another possible obstacle, rather than a defect every player will experience the same way. Players seeking fast action or a casual, forgiving hunting game may find the pace demanding. Those who value patience, exploration and simulation may see that same pace as the point.

How much do the 2017 reviews tell you about the game now?

The original reviews assess the game around its 2017 release, not necessarily the product as it stands after years of updates and optional add-ons. The official theHunter: Call of the Wild website describes it as an atmospheric open-world hunting game and says it is regularly updated in collaboration with the community. Steam’s store listing presents the base game alongside optional reserves, weapons, equipment and other DLC.

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Rank #3

That later support matters when interpreting criticism, but it does not automatically invalidate launch-era reviews or establish that particular bugs and interface issues were fixed. The available critic aggregate does not provide a separate score for the current build or a review-by-review comparison of later content. Treat the 64 as a historical critical snapshot, and use current product information to understand what is offered now.

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Who is most likely to enjoy it?

  • Likely fit: players who want a patient hunting simulation, enjoy exploring outdoor environments and value atmosphere over constant action.
  • Possible mismatch: players who prefer quick progression, a highly streamlined interface or a fast, action-focused pace.
  • Worth checking before buying: the current base-game listing and the optional DLC catalog, since the 2017 reviews do not necessarily cover later additions.

In short, critics found a distinctive and immersive hunting experience, but one undercut by interface, design and technical friction. Whether its slow realism feels absorbing or off-putting depends largely on what you want from a hunting game.

Quick Recap

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TheHunter Call of the Wild - 2019 Edition (Xbox One)
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Explore a Vast Open World. By Foot or ATV; Different Species - Different Challenge; Become a Hunter. Design the Hunt
$99.95
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The Hunter - Call of the Wild - Edition 2019 - [Playstation 4]
  • The Hunter Call of the Wild Edition 2019 includes the main game, all previously released DLCs and the "Vurhonga Savannannah"
  • Wake up the J in you and immerse yourself in the dense game atmosphere of The Hunter: Call of the Wild
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