The hunt is enhanced as Hunting Simulator 2 goes next-gen on Xbox Series X|S and PS5

When Hunting Simulator 2 launched on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC back in the middle of 2020, it failed to provide a gaming experience that was capable of going toe-to-toe with the genre leader – theHunter: Call of the Wild. But that’s not stopping NACON and Neopica Studio from continuing to make their presence felt in the market, with them now rolling out into the next-generation with fully optimised versions of Hunting Simulator 2 on Xbox Series X|S and PS5. 

Available to purchase and download this very minute on Xbox Series X|S and PS5, the improved and enhanced version of Hunting Simulator 2 doesn’t just take the previous base game, but drops in new content, visual upgrades and technical additions to see it once more go up against theHunter. 

Priced up at a rather cool £49.99 for the Standard Edition of the game, Neopica have included all the latest features that have hit the game over the previous months in this next-gen edition, offering up no less than 27 new rare varieties of animals, allowing you to bear witness to these in their usual habitat. Strangely, it isn’t possible to hunt all of these – and putting aside what you think of the whole ‘hunting’ scenario for a minute, it’s strange to see a Hunting Simulator not let you hunt everything – but it is what it is, with the teams behind the game pointing to real regulations in terms of the protected species at hand. 

There is however also a more expensive option in the form of Hunting Simulator 2 – Bear Hunter Edition. This fires the shots at £58.49, gathering up the base game with the Bear Hunter Pack. This is a pack that includes a bear hunting license (hence the name), along with 6 exclusive clothing items and weapons. If you’re serious about Hunting Simulator 2 on Xbox Series X|S or PS5 then perhaps this is the best option for you. 

That’s not all though and Nacon are also providing additional purchases in the form of the Beretta Model 486 for £2.49, and the Beretta Weapon Pack for £4.19, containing 7 new Beretta shotguns perfect for the small game. Honestly though, start moving into those territories and Hunting Simulator 2 on Xbox Series X|S begins to get very expensive; something which may irk many seeing as this version is not playable on Xbox One. 

There are however new exploration trophies to hand, and improvements to the visuals, and the in-game lighting, and the interface AND the vibration iterations. All in, there seems to be a fair bit more added here with the game than what was pushed out originally on Xbox One, PS4, PC and Switch. 

Features include:

• • Explore the plains of Colorado, the Texan desert and the forests of Europe in vast open worlds.
• • Track down 33 animal species in their natural environment by using the best hunting techniques.
• • Hunt animals with realistic behaviours and advanced artificial intelligence.
• • Use your hunting dog to track your prey. Labrador Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer and Beagle, each dog has its specific hunting attributes.
• • Kit yourself out with over 160 weapons, accessories and clothing items from the best brands, including Browning, Winchester, Bushnell, Kryptek and Verney-Carron.

We’ll find out whether or not all these things come together as one in our full review of Hunting Simulator 2 on Xbox Series X|S in the days ahead. Keep an eye out for it but if you’re already sold on the premise, or are looking for an alternative hunt to that of Call of the Wild, the usual digital stores will sort you out – our favourite being that of the Xbox Store. You’ll also find it on the PlayStation Store.

Game Description:

Xbox Series X|S version of Hunting Simulator 2 NOT playable on Xbox One. It’s open season! In stunning natural environments, choose your gear from the best official weapons and accessories and set off with your dog in search of a variety of animal species in this hunting simulation.