If you're into realistic hunting simulations, theHunter: Call of the Wild - Alberta Hunting Preserve brings a fresh expansion to the series, focusing on the harsh, snowy wilderness of Alberta, Canada. This simulation adventure sports title lets you step into the boots of a hunter navigating frozen landscapes, tracking diverse wildlife, and completing targeted challenges in a detailed open-world environment. Released as downloadable content for the base game, it emphasizes survival in sub-zero conditions while honing your skills with authentic hunting mechanics.
Gameplay
In this expansion, the core loop revolves around exploration and precise tracking across a vast, frigid map. You start by scouting for animal signs like tracks in the deep snow, which you can toggle in settings for a customized experience. Wind direction, noise levels, and scent play crucial roles in approaching prey without alerting them. The new Laperriere Outrider .30-30 lever-action rifle adds to your arsenal, ideal for small to medium game such as whitetail deer or gray wolves, with compatibility for various scopes to suit day or night hunts.
Beyond basic hunting, environmental hazards like falling trees signal beaver activity, adding a layer of awareness to your treks. The map's varied terrain, from pine-covered peaks to open grasslands, influences how you spot and pursue species, with contrasting sightlines making it easier to locate birds like snow geese or dusky grouse in flatter areas. Missions integrate cultural elements, tasking you with aiding local experts and uncovering mysteries, all while managing the cold's impact on movement and visibility.
Game Modes
The expansion builds on the base game's structure with a focus on single-player progression through 13 story-driven missions set in the Alberta preserve. These involve helping the warden maintain the area, tracking elusive creatures, and engaging with themes tied to First Nations culture, including pursuits related to the secretive Sasquatch.
For those preferring company, multiplayer co-op allows friends to join hunts across the new map, sharing the experience of tracking and taking down animals together. There are no competitive modes here; instead, the emphasis is on cooperative exploration and shared achievements in the open world.
Wildlife and Environment
Alberta's ecosystem hosts 19 species adapted to the cold, including exclusives like the Manitoban elk and wood bison roaming the frozen expanses. Keep an eye out for the Great One mule deer, a rare find that rewards patient hunters. The North American beaver stands out with its tree-felling behavior, creating dynamic changes in the landscape that affect navigation.
From dense boreal forests at higher altitudes to rugged foothills and sweeping grasslands below, each zone offers unique hunting opportunities. The soundtrack, drawing from wilderness and native influences, enhances the atmosphere during long stalks or quiet waits in blinds.
Is It Worth Playing?
For enthusiasts of hunting simulations who already own the base game, this DLC delivers solid value with its new map and content released in 2025, part of ongoing updates that keep the title fresh. Players appreciate the detailed wildlife behaviors and immersive cold-weather challenges, making it a strong pick if you enjoy methodical tracking and realistic outdoor pursuits. If fast-paced action is more your style, it might feel too deliberate, but for simulation fans, the expansion extends replayability through its missions and species variety.
