Hunting is a very common mechanic in video games, and players often have to hunt in order to complete quests, collect resources, and sometimes to feed their character. Typically separate from normal combat, hunting in many games is seen as a side activity or minigame, while, in others, it's a major part of gameplay.
From sweeping RPGs to action-packed adventures and hunting simulators to survival games, hunting is a game mechanic that spans many genres, taking an activity that can be considered boring to many in real life and making it fun for all. For hunters who game and gamers who never hunt alike, these hunting mechanics are some of the most fun and unique out there.
Tomb Raider (2013)
The newest batch of the critically-acclaimed Tomb Raider (2013) features hunting as a major feature, which helps reflect the adventures of a younger, less experienced Lara Croft just trying to survive.
For instance, towards the beginning of this game, Lara must hunt deer for meat, which acts as a prelude for the violence that she is soon to be thrust into as the game's story progresses, while also highlighting the vulnerability of herself and her friends on the island of Yamatai. Hunting in the game offers a few rewards, but the grit of the experience makes it stand out.
The Oregon Trail
An educational game with a prolific impact on gaming culture, The Oregon Trail is the source of many nostalgic memes and references nowadays. From the original 1974 version on through its rereleases and variations, this game has players taking control of a wagon leader on the Oregon Trail, with all of the dangers the journey entails.
The game is made up of many mechanics, including managing the health and needs of the player's wagon party and maintaining supply levels in the face of constant misfortunes. One of the main mechanics was a hunting minigame that saw players targeting animals to get meat, with bigger and more dangerous animals providing better rewards.
Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
This sweeping, epic adventure in the Breath Of The Wild can use meat in their meals.
Getting this meat requires Link to hunt Hyrule's animals, with several hostile and ive animals providing meat if the protagonist can catch and defeat them. Experimenting with different creatures offers different kinds of meat, while different food combinations can help players unlock new recipes with new benefits.
Far Cry Primal
Hunting has appeared as a game mechanic in several games in the Far Cry series, but Far Cry Primal offers perhaps the most interesting take on hunting, as players are cast as prehistoric hunters. Without modern technology on their sides, players need to get crafty to catch prey and collect skins and meat.
At first, hunting is fairly difficult without the proper resources and tools, requiring players to chase down prey or take on ferocious beasts like mammoths. As players advance, however, they will gain access to tools like bait, traps, and even tamed animals to assist them in hunting prey and reaping the rewards.
Resident Evil Village
The latest entry in the long-running Village, players take control of Ethan Winters as he searches for his kidnapped daughter Rosemary, leading him to the mysterious village of the title.
Although there are plenty of monsters to contend with in the game, players can also hunt and fish to collect meat and prepare dishes to upgrade Ethan's abilities. Hunting, however, is not easy, as some animals present dangers and must be dealt with carefully. Also, animals don't respawn, so players have to carefully manage their meat.
Assassin's Creed III
With so much of the game taking place on the American Frontier in the 18th century, it makes sense that Assassin's Creed III would heavily feature hunting. Playing as Connor (aka Ratonhnhaké:ton), a Native American hunter, players are able to hunt throughout the game in order to get hides to sell.
The actual process of hunting allows players to use a variety of strategies in tracking and hunting animals, including using bait and wielding different weapons. Some weapons leave the hide in better shape than others, but, when tracking down dangerous carnivores like bobcats, players may run out of options to do the job cleanly.
TheHunter: Call Of The Wild
A hunting simulator that promises to bring the realism and immersion of hunting into players' homes, TheHunter: Call Of The Wild boasts a large world for players to explore. As hunters in this game, players will need to be patient, using tools like scents and callers while also learning how each animal acts and reacts to their presence.
With both single-player and multiplayer modes, TheHunter offers plenty of ways to immerse oneself in the hunt. The gameplay mechanics also heighten the experience by requiring players to pay careful attention to the time of day, weather conditions, and wind direction to be the best hunter around.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Unlike many other games that involve hunting, a variety of monsters.
With such a diverse array of creatures both real and fictional to take on, players will need to learn the best ways to identify and deal with different species. Different creatures will require different strategies for tracking, approach, and combat, meaning that any given monster hunt can be a complex challenge.
Red Dead Redemption 2
An expansive adventure in the American frontier, Red Dead Redemption 2 is known for its wide array of complex and connected gameplay mechanics, creating an immersive western-inspired experience. This naturally includes an emphasis on hunting animals for meat and hides which can then be used by protagonist Arthur Morgan for a variety of purposes.
In addition to selling these resources, players can have Morgan use them in cooking and crafting. The act of hunting requires attention to detail, as well, as players will have to be careful how they take down animals; a bullet in the wrong area can cause an animal's pelt or meat to lose value.
Monster Hunter Rise
The Monster Hunter series revolves primarily around the act of hunting down enormous beasts, using an array of gear and skills in epic battles. The latest entry in the series, Monster Hunter Rise, continues this tradition of hunting-based combat on a massive scale.
With a variety of tools available to players and a large number of monster species to hunt down in the area around Kamura Village (and there are more added every update), hunting in this game takes some practice and fine-tuning for each different monster type. With a multiplayer mode, as well, monster hunters can team up with friends to pull off impeccable hunts.