theHunter: Call of the Wild - Bloodhound adds a trainable hunting companion to the core simulation experience. This PC title combines realistic hunting mechanics with adventure elements across open reserves, where players track and harvest wildlife using strategy and observation. The Bloodhound serves as the first dedicated dog in the series, focused on locating blood trails from wounded animals even in dense vegetation.
Gameplay
The Bloodhound relies on its powerful sense of smell, equipped with around 300 million scent receptors, to follow blood trails through thick brush. Players activate the dog during hunts to locate injured prey more efficiently than manual tracking alone. Experience gained from active use advances the dog through 30 companion levels and 15 tracker levels, improving its speed, accuracy, and reliability over repeated outings.
Bonding directly influences performance. Actions such as praising, petting, or offering treats after successful hunts raise the connection level, which in turn affects how well the dog responds to commands and stays focused. The system rewards consistent partnership rather than one-off interactions.
Multiple dogs can be acquired and stored in a roster. Only one accompanies the player on any given hunt, but others remain available for rotation. At the end of a session, the active dog appears at the Trophy Lodge or nearest outpost to greet the player.
Game Modes
Singleplayer sessions form the primary campaign structure, allowing uninterrupted progression through reserves with full access to missions and personal tracking goals. The Bloodhound integrates seamlessly here, providing consistent assistance without external interruptions.
Multiplayer supports up to eight participants in shared reserves. Sessions emphasize collaboration on harvests or challenges set by the host, with the dog available to any player who owns the DLC. Indicators show other hunters on the map, and the companion remains tied to its owner's bond and level progress.
Customization and Traits
Each Bloodhound can be named individually. Players select from six fur coat variations, including Black and Tan Fullcoat, Black and Tan Saddle, Liver and Tan Fullcoat, Liver and Tan Saddle, Red and Black Pigmented, and Red and Liver Pigmented. Both male and female options exist.
Traits are chosen during creation and further unlocked through companion leveling. These modify specific behaviors such as shortcutting older tracks or increasing detection range, allowing the dog to match different hunting preferences over time.
Is It Worth Playing?
The Bloodhound DLC released on March 30, 2021, and maintains Mostly Positive reception with 74 percent approval across more than 1,400 reviews. It appeals most to players who already enjoy methodical tracking and want a reliable assistant that grows alongside their own progress.
Those focused on solo reserve exploration or small-group multiplayer hunts gain the clearest benefit from the added efficiency and companionship mechanics. The leveling and bonding loops encourage repeated use without altering the base simulation's pace or difficulty.
