Open-World Games With The Best Hunting Mechanics

Open-world games come in all shapes and sizes, but hunting is a surprisingly common feature. Whether it’s about collecting trophies, improving your gear, or simply staying alive, many games let you hunt animals. Even if it’s optional, hunting can easily become the most engaging and time-consuming aspect of the game.

If you enjoy hunting in video games, these open-world titles all offer unique and satisfying experiences, whether you prefer realistic gameplay or a more imaginative setting. Each game has different hunting mechanics, so you’re sure to find one that fits your style.

We’re not including Monster Hunter World or Wilds because they feature large zones, but aren’t truly open-world games. However, if you’re looking for the best hunting experience, Capcom’s games are the way to go.

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7. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

Exotic Creatures And Thrilling Hunts

I absolutely loved Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag! It’s not really about hunting, but the way they included it is just so much fun. You play as Edward Kenway, a pirate who gets caught up in the whole assassin thing, and his goal is to become the most feared pirate on the Caribbean seas. Seriously, it’s a classic swashbuckling adventure – the kind you read about in legends!

In Black Flag, you can hunt a huge variety of animals, from massive whales – which you hunt with harpoons – to tiny Howler Monkeys. What sets Black Flag apart from other hunting games is the exotic wildlife you can find, including Iguanas and Bull Sharks. It’s a fantastic open-world hunting experience, and while the gameplay isn’t overly complex, harpooning offers a unique and visually impressive experience.

6. Horizon Zero Dawn

Hunt Mechanical Animals And Strip Them For Parts

I’ve been thinking about hunting in games lately, and it’s really common in open-world titles, especially those that try to feel realistic. A lot of them focus on tracking animals, but it’s cool when you get to hunt something really epic, like in fantasy games. Take Horizon Zero Dawn, for example. Playing as Aloy, you’re basically a hunter, and while sometimes you’re fighting for your life against these huge mechanical beasts, most of the time you’re hunting to get parts. Those parts are super important because you use them to upgrade your gear or craft ammo, which gives you a real reason to go out and hunt!

The game’s systems aren’t overly complex, but offer a lot of variety. Players have access to many tools that can be used in different ways on the machines, and hunters must be strategic when attacking to avoid damaging crucial components. The machines behave like realistic herds, adding to the immersive experience.

5. The Long Dark

Hunt To Survive

Many survival games include hunting, but it often feels different than in other open-world games. Usually, hunting in these games is about sheer necessity – a way to stay alive – rather than triumphing over the wilderness. The Long Dark is a great example; hunting isn’t just about getting resources, it’s essential for survival, and a failed hunt can have deadly consequences.

In The Long Dark, you’re struggling to survive in an extremely harsh Canadian wilderness. Finding food means hunting, but it’s far from easy. You’ll need to carefully plan each hunt, weighing the risks of blizzards, limited supplies, and dangerous wildlife – including predators that might be more skilled than you. Hunting itself requires patience and skill, as animals don’t go down quickly.

4. Far Cry Primal

Hunting Prehistoric Beasts

Far Cry Primal is an open-world adventure game where you play as Takkar, a hunter trying to survive in a prehistoric land filled with dangerous animals like woolly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers. The game revolves around hunting, letting you track and take down a wide range of creatures, from small, fierce honey badgers to massive cave lions and even terrifying fish.

Players can hunt down legendary creatures like the Bloodfang Sabretooth and Great Scar Bear. They can use weapons like spears, clubs, and bows, or even build traps to catch these beasts. Hunting is a core part of Primal – it delivers one of the best open-world hunting experiences available, making it perfect for anyone who dreams of hunting ancient creatures in a prehistoric setting.

3. Way of the Hunter

Realistic Hunts, Detailed Simulations

Way of the Hunter is a true hunting simulator, offering stunning visuals, detailed gameplay, and a vast open world. It stands out from other hunting games by providing a remarkably realistic experience, going beyond just shooting and tracking. The game accurately simulates animal herd behavior and even encourages players to hunt responsibly and ethically.

Way of the Hunter offers detailed shot reviews, letting players carefully examine their hunts – including a look at exactly where on an animal they hit their target. This level of detail makes Way of the Hunter the most realistic hunting game available, and it’s best for players who are truly passionate about the sport.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

Immersive and Breathtaking Hunting

Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is often considered the most beautiful, detailed, and engaging game on this list. It’s especially famous for its incredibly realistic and deep hunting system. With over 200 different animal species – including rare, legendary creatures like the Panther – hunting isn’t just a side activity in RDR2; it’s a core part of the game. Players need to carefully plan their hunts and use the right tools, like bows and specialized ammunition, to successfully and efficiently take down animals. Wasting an animal or damaging its valuable parts will be penalized.

Red Dead Redemption 2 features detailed hunting, where players collect animal skins and need to shoot carefully to keep them in good condition. The game also includes challenging hunts for the most dangerous animals. Hunting in RDR2 isn’t portrayed as exciting – it’s a tough but essential part of life in the Wild West, necessary for survival.

1. The Hunter: Call of the Wild

Best All-Round Hunting Game

Hunter: Call of the Wild aims to provide a realistic hunting experience. Players can explore large, beautiful nature reserves inspired by real-world locations like the New England Mountains and Silver Ridge Peaks. The game features a wide variety of animals to hunt, including deer, bears, and many other species.

The game features a variety of bears to hunt, requiring players to track, sneak up on, and take down their prey using a range of weapons, bait, and items. It also supports multiplayer, letting you team up with a friend to explore the wilderness and pursue impressive hunts. Overall, The Hunter: Call of the Wild stands out as the most detailed and immersive open-world hunting experience, combining the best elements from other games in the genre.

2026-02-14 00:35