Way of the Hunter 2
Way of the Hunter 2 vs the original and Call of the Wild
Way of the Hunter 2 builds on the original’s hunting simulation with a companion dog, habitat work and a new Headquarters region. Call of the Wild is a separate series with an official eight-player multiplayer listing. Choose around your group and preferred systems rather than treating the similar names as interchangeable.
Three games, two different series
The original Way of the Hunter launched in 2022; its sequel launched in September 2026. Both are developed by Nine Rocks Games and published by THQ Nordic. theHunter: Call of the Wild launched in 2017, is developed by Expansive Worlds and belongs to a different series.
These differences matter when searching for advice: a reserve name, weapon table or key binding from one game is not evidence for another. This comparison uses official feature descriptions, not a claim that we have personally benchmarked or completed all three.
What changes from the original to the sequel
The original store lists two base reserves, Pacific Northwest and Transylvania, each 144 km², with animal behavior, Hunter Sense and shot replay. The sequel FAQ lists New Laurentia and Kilimaya at 100 km² each, plus the 16 km² Hearth & Hunt Headquarters. Map size alone is not a measure of encounter quality.
The sequel describes a companion dog for signs and blood trails, habitat-related ecosystem work and an expandable Headquarters lodge. Shot review also appears in the original, so it should not be advertised as an entirely new invention. Existing first-game DLC is a separate purchase record, not proof of content owned in the sequel.
Choose multiplayer around a verified group size
Call of the Wild’s official store supports online multiplayer for up to eight people. It also says a group can enter a paid reserve when one member owns that reserve. That statement concerns reserve access; it does not promise ownership of every weapon pack or other DLC.
The Way of the Hunter 2 FAQ says two-player co-op, while Xbox currently labels it 2-4. That conflict remains unresolved without a current lobby test. Do not promise a four-person session or infer crossplay from a multiplayer badge. The original store confirms co-op but the captured page does not establish a maximum for this comparison.
Check the hardware and package before buying
The sequel Steam listing requires Windows 11, 16 GB RAM, DirectX 12 and 38 GB storage. The original lists Windows 10, 8 GB minimum RAM, DirectX 11 and 19 GB. These published requirements support checking compatibility; they do not demonstrate measured frame-rate differences.
Call of the Wild’s captured listing asks for 140 GB storage. Its old minimum OS line mentions Windows 7, but the same page warns that Steam supports Windows 10 and later. Check the complete package contents and current checkout price. A larger DLC catalog or lower temporary discount does not by itself settle which hunting experience you will prefer.