Do you want to indulge your primal instincts and embark on adrenaline-fueled adventures from the comfort of your living room? Xbox offers various hunting games that cater to every taste and preference. From realistic simulations to action-packed challenges, these titles transport players into the heart of the wilderness, where they can test their skills, track elusive prey, and immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of the great outdoors. Here are the ten best hunting games available on Xbox, promising hours of excitement for gamers of all levels.
1. theHunter: Call of the Wild
- Genre: Simulator, Action, Sport
- Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One
- Date of release: 8 December 2016
- Developer: Expansive Worlds
- Average Playtime: 25 hours
The first title on the list is one of those traditional games everyone knows. Although theHunter had hit-or-miss titles in the past, Call of the Wild is one of the best hunting simulators out there. It’s the perfect way of learning what the hunt is really about. You can choose to go on a group expedition or hunt alone. But the hunt is not an easy one. You’ll have to find the prey in the vast wilderness and execute a perfect kill.
The multiplayer mode of theHunter: Call of the Wild allows you to compete with other players and prove you’re the best hunter. The individual animals are unique, and it’s up to you to decide which is a worthy trophy. The environment is alive, so your steps can crunch leaves or break twigs and scare the animals. Even if you’re not competitive, you can enjoy the beauty of the realistic wilderness in this game. It’ll make you want to explore every corner of the map.
2. Hunting Simulator 2
- Genre: Simulation, Sport
- Platform: PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Date of release: 25 June 2020
- Developer: Neopica
- Average Playtime: 14 hours
If you’re searching for true realism, it doesn’t get better than Hunting Simulator 2. After all, the simulation is in the title. Not only do you have to search for prey and explore the wilderness of the USA and Europe, but you’ll also get to enjoy the unique flora and fauna of the regions and make significant decisions, such as which ammunition to use to make the perfect kill. You’ll also have access to many professional gear that real hunters use.
Although this game does not have multiplayer or even a co-op mode, you won’t need to be alone during the hunt. Hunting Simulator 2 gives you a dog that’ll follow you around or lead you towards the prey. In fact, there are multiple dog breed choices, and you’ll have to select the right one for the job.
3. Big Buck Hunter Arcade
- Genre: Simulation
- Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Wii, Arcade games, iOS
- Date of release: 24 October 2016
- Developer: FameMill Entertainment
- Average Playtime: 3 hours
This is the first game on the list that, although a simulator, is not about being serious or too realistic. It’s a simple game without a lot of depth. You can play only through a couple of levels in a single-player mode or with one friend in locally set-up multiplayer.
Although this game severely lacks realism, it’s an entertaining hunting game, especially if you play it with someone. You’ll get a serious laugh out of it, and that’s why Big Buck Hunter Arcade even made it to the list. It’s a fantastic game if you want something casual, fun, and entertaining.
4. Hunt: Showdown
- Genre: Survival, RPG, Action
- Platform: PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Date of release: 22 February 2018
- Developer: Crytek
- Average Playtime: 84 hours
Hunt: Showdown is not a traditional hunting game. Set in a fantasy world, it involves hunting monsters. However, there’s a twist. You’ll play as a member of a mercenary group that needs to take contracts and defeat the local monsters. But your group won’t be the only one. First, you must compete for the contract and defeat opponent mercenary groups.
Yes, this game is multiplayer and you can bring your friends if you want to. But you can also opt to play alone. Your task is to track down the mythical monster and survive the environmental hazards that the world’s three maps are filled with. Once you kill the beast and get its trophy, all other mercenary groups playing on your map can see your location and choose to attack you to claim the trophy for themselves.
5. Red Dead Redemption 2
- Genre: Western, Action, Adventure
- Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Stadia
- Date of release: 26 October 2018
- Developer: Rockstar Games
- Average Playtime: 50 hours
Although Red Dead Redemption is not technically a hunting game, it does have some beautifully developed hunting elements. Hunting is a big part of the character’s survival and overall gameplay. Since the chances are you already have this legendary game in your library, you can hop to it whenever you’re in the mood to play a hunting game. Several missions in the game require you to hunt down different game, from small rabbits to big bucks and bears.
Although hunting is not the main aspect of the game, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. You’ll have to practice your shots, be it with an arrow or with a gun, so you don’t ruin the meat when you shoot an animal. Furthermore, if you play Red Dead Redemption Online, you can sell the animal meat and pelts and make a living out of it.
6. Way of the Hunter
- Genre: Simulation, Adventure, Action, Sport
- Platform: PS5, PC, Xbox Series X/S
- Date of release: 16 August 2022
- Developer: THQ Nordic
- Average Playtime: 24 hours
Way of the Hunter is incredibly similar to theHunter, but it tends to compensate for the lack of realism with fun. Nevertheless, this is one of the top hunting simulation games, typically loved by theHunter playerbase. If you compare these two games, you’d conclude that Way of the Hunter has more animals roaming the map, making them easier to kill. Also, inexperienced players find it a little bit easier to choose the correct equipment for a specific type of game.
What makes this hunting game truly unique is its very well-developed storyline and heavy focus on ethical hunting. That means that going for the weaker trophies is rewarding in the long term as the game’s gene pool will remain diverse and strong. If you opt to hunt only the best trophies, you’ll find there’s not much to look forward to in the future.
7. Open Country
- Genre: Simulation, Adventure, Action, Sport
- Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Date of release: 3 June 2021
- Developer: Fun Labs, 505 Games
- Average Playtime: 30 hours
Open Country is a semi-open-world hunting game that allows you to explore the map, ride your RV or ATV through its many landscapes, and simply do whatever you want. If you don’t like games without a set storyline, don’t worry. You can also opt to play the missions given to you by a strange guy you meet at the hunting lodge.
Although Open Country is all about hunting, you’ll hunt for survival. The whole game is packed into one big survival package. Your character will feel hunger, fatigue, and need for sleep. As the game progresses, you’ll also have to search for shelter, medicine, and other supplies. After all, you’re out in the wild and only have your skills to rely on.
8. Fishing Planet
- Genre: Simulation, Multiplayer, Sport
- Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Android, Linux
- Date of release: 11 August 1015
- Developer: Fishing Planet LLC
- Average Playtime: 51 hours
Fishing Planet is the only fishing simulator that made it to the list of hunting games, and rightfully so. If you’re in the mood to fish but without having to leave the comfort of your home, there are many fishing games to choose from. However, Fishing Planet has it all! Apart from a good selection of fish species to catch, you can fish in many different places worldwided, and nature can be breathtaking even though it’s virtual.
Like the more traditional hunting simulators on this list, Fishing Planet offers a wide variety of gear to choose from: lines, rods, reels, baits, and even boats. This game also boasts a multiplayer mode, so you can bring your friend out fishing, or compete with the other players. The best part is that this is a free-to-play game and an excellent choice if you just want to sit back for a couple of hours and enjoy the realistic serenity of actual fishing.
9. Monster Hunter: Rise
- Genre: Action, RPG
- Platform: PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Date of release: 26 March 2021
- Developer: Capcom
- Average Playtime: 48 hours
If you don’t want a realistic hunting experience and want to escape into the world of fantasy, consider Monster Hunter: Rise. The Monster Hunter series is just that! It’s a fantasy world filled with various giant monsters that you’ll need to hunt down to collect loot. But being a fantasy doesn’t mean the hunt will be easy. You’ll have to prepare for each monster.
You won’t hunt alone since this game is heavily focused on co-op. You and your friends will work together to bring the monster down. You can get creative and plan each monster hunt by exploiting enemy weaknesses and relying on your team’s strengths. However, this gorgeous game’ll easily distract you with its flashy graphics during a monster fight.
10. Dauntless
- Genre: Action, RPG, Adventure
- Platform: PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Android
- Date of release: 10 December 2019
- Developer: Phoenix Labs
- Average Playtime: 61 hours
If you enjoy the monster-hunting games on this list, you should also try Dauntless. It’s very similar to the Monster Hunter series, but you’re doing it to save the world from destruction instead of gaining loot from killing monsters.
Dauntless is a completely free-to-play game that even supports cross-platform play. You can gather your friends and enjoy monster hunting even if they don’t have an Xbox. However, this game is very underrated, and not many people play it. That makes it a perfect choice if you want to discover something new.
Which is your favorite hunting game and why? Let us know in the comment section below!