theHunter: Call of the Wild is a hunting simulation game set in expansive open-world environments. Players take on the role of a hunter who tracks, identifies, and harvests wildlife using realistic tools and strategies. The German Shorthaired Pointer DLC introduces a new canine companion that assists with locating animals across multiple size classes, streamlining the core loop of exploration and pursuit.
Gameplay
The core experience revolves around patient tracking and precise shooting in detailed natural settings. Players move through reserves on foot or with limited vehicles, scanning for signs such as tracks, droppings, and calls. Weapons range from rifles to bows, each requiring careful shot placement to achieve ethical harvests and high scores. The addition of the German Shorthaired Pointer expands these systems by providing active assistance in detection. On command, the dog searches within defined radii depending on the selected behavior, then adopts a pointing stance to indicate direction and distance to the target. This mechanic applies to animals from small game up to large species, excluding only the most dangerous predators.
Commands allow fine control over search patterns. Point S keeps the dog close for compact areas and small targets. Point M extends the range while maintaining visibility of the point. Point L sends the dog farther afield for bigger game that tolerates its presence. Spot Point directs the dog to an already identified animal, and the Point Species trait lets it focus on a specific type after a clue has been examined. These options integrate directly into existing sessions without altering the fundamental pace of careful movement and observation.
A free update enables skill combination for owners of prior dogs such as the Bloodhound or Labrador Retriever. One dog can inherit abilities from two breeds, for example merging pointing with retrieval so that flushed birds can be recovered after the shot. Training occurs at the kennel through the cache system at outposts, and performance improves with focus and bond levels built over repeated use.
Game Modes
The game supports single-player sessions focused on personal progression through reserves and harvest goals. Players can also join online co-op to hunt alongside others, sharing discoveries and coordinating approaches in the same world instance. No separate competitive or time-limited modes exist beyond these options; the emphasis remains on open-ended exploration and repeated visits to different regions.
Dog Companion Mechanics
The German Shorthaired Pointer operates through a command wheel that players access during active hunts. Its behaviors adapt to the chosen command, and the dog signals success with a clear stance that remains visible even at moderate distances. This system rewards timing, as prolonged pointing on medium game can cause the animal to flee. The dog also responds to species-specific cues, allowing targeted searches after initial evidence appears. Combined with the skill-merge update, it becomes a versatile tool for both locating and recovering game in varied terrain.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who enjoy deliberate, simulation-style hunting rather than fast-paced action. The German Shorthaired Pointer adds measurable efficiency to tracking without removing the need for player skill in movement, wind awareness, and shot selection. Those who already own earlier dog DLCs gain extra value from the free combination update, which expands one companion into a multi-role asset. Co-op sessions provide opportunities to coordinate dog use with friends across shared reserves. The game receives ongoing updates that introduce new content and refine existing systems, maintaining relevance for dedicated hunters. Individuals seeking realistic animal behavior, open-world freedom, and companion-assisted gameplay will find consistent engagement here, while those preferring arcade-style mechanics or heavy multiplayer competition may prefer alternatives.
