theHunter: Call of the Wild - Mississippi Acres Preserve is a hunting simulation set in a detailed reserve modeled after the wetlands, pine forests, bluffs, and rivers of Mississippi. Players take on the role of a hunter navigating realistic environments while tracking and harvesting a range of local wildlife. The experience emphasizes patience, observation, and precise shot placement over fast action.
Gameplay
Hunting in Mississippi Acres Preserve revolves around identifying animal signs, moving quietly through varied terrain, and selecting appropriate gear for each target. The reserve features distinctive areas where wetlands transition into pine stands and riverbanks, creating opportunities to encounter species in their natural settings. Small game such as Gray Fox, Northern Bobwhite Quail, Eastern Wild Turkey, Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, and Common Raccoon requires careful stalking or flushing techniques. Larger animals including Feral Pigs, Black Bears, and Whitetail Deer demand different approaches based on their behavior and habitat preferences.
The American Alligator stands out as a unique addition, capable of moving between water and land. This reptile adds new considerations for positioning and timing shots near rivers and freshwater bodies. The included Kullman .22H bolt-action rifle serves as a dedicated tool for smaller targets, offered in multiple variations that balance portability with effectiveness against class 1 and 2 animals. Players manage equipment, track movement patterns, and adapt to environmental factors like flooding that has reshaped parts of the landscape.
Game Modes
The reserve supports both solo exploration and shared sessions. Narrative missions form a single-player story campaign centered on recent flooding that displaced residents and prompted an uneasy alliance between rival hunting clubs. Warden Immi Davis becomes central to uncovering a larger conspiracy, guiding players through a sequence of objectives tied to the reserve's recovery efforts.
Open hunting allows free movement across the map to pursue any available species without mission constraints. Multiplayer integration lets players join a host who owns the reserve, granting access to the full map and animals while excluding the narrative missions. This setup supports cooperative outings focused on shared hunts rather than story progression.
Wildlife and Environment
Each species presents distinct challenges based on size, speed, and habitat. Birds and small mammals often require quick reactions in open or brushy areas, while larger mammals roam across multiple zones. The American Alligator introduces amphibious movement that changes how players approach river edges and swamps. Man-made sections add raccoons that interact with human structures, providing contrast to the wilder sections of the preserve.
Landscapes range from murky waterways to forested bluffs, with flooding effects visible in affected communities. These elements influence animal distribution and player navigation, encouraging repeated visits to different regions for varied encounters.
Is It Worth Playing?
Mississippi Acres Preserve appeals to players who enjoy methodical hunting simulations with realistic animal behaviors and detailed environments. The addition of the American Alligator as the first reptile species and the Kullman .22H rifle expands options for targeting smaller game across multiple maps. Narrative missions deliver a focused story experience, while open hunting and multiplayer sharing provide flexibility for different play styles.
Reception has been mixed, with some players noting the varied terrain and new species as highlights, while others point to story elements as divisive. The reserve remains available as paid content for the base game, with no ongoing seasonal updates specific to this map. Those who value patient tracking and precise shooting in a Southern wetland setting will find the most consistent engagement here. Players seeking faster-paced action or broader multiplayer features may prefer other reserves or the core game modes instead.
