Cabela's Big Game Hunter Pro Hunts: A Review

Cabela’s Big Game Hunter Pro Hunts, developed by Activision, represents a significant entry in the long-running Cabela’s hunting game series. Following several installments that faced criticism from fans for various shortcomings, Pro Hunts aims to revitalize the franchise. While it successfully rekindles interest, it does so by prioritizing immediate, arcade-style fun over strict realism. This review will delve into the game’s strengths and weaknesses, exploring its gameplay mechanics, graphical presentation, and overall experience.

A Vast Hunting Ground Across the United States

One of Pro Hunts’ most compelling features is its expansive game world. Players are given access to a massive virtual representation of the United States, allowing for a wide variety of hunting experiences across diverse biomes. The open-world design grants significant freedom in choosing hunting grounds, enabling players to strategically select locations based on their target species. As players progress through the career mode, new territories and hunting areas become available, consistently introducing fresh challenges and preventing gameplay from stagnating. This gradual unlocking of content, coupled with a well-designed progression system focused on acquiring new weapons and ammunition, sustains player engagement over an extended period.

The game also emphasizes responsible hunting practices, encouraging ethical behavior and mindful decision-making. Players are not permitted to indiscriminately hunt any animal they encounter. Instead, successful hunting necessitates strategic planning and precise marksmanship. The game penalizes players who wound animals without delivering a lethal shot, underscoring the importance of accurate placement and ethical consideration for the animals. This focus on responsible hunting adds a layer of depth and realism that elevates the experience beyond simple shooting gallery mechanics.

Arcade Action with Hollywood Flair

While Cabela’s Big Game Hunter Pro Hunts boasts a considerable amount of content and demonstrable research into hunting techniques and animal species, its gameplay deviates significantly from strict realism in favor of a more accessible, arcade-style approach. The game employs various visual aids to streamline the hunting process, which may detract from the challenge for seasoned hunting game players. For instance, animal sounds are represented by on-screen circles, and tracks are prominently highlighted to ensure players won’t miss crucial clues. These features are beneficial for beginners, facilitating a smoother learning curve. However, this simplification limits the game’s adjustability. Even on higher difficulty settings, the game remains relatively easy, failing to provide the same level of challenge found in more simulation-focused titles like The Hunter.

The game’s stylistic choices further underscore its arcade leanings. Elements like the immediate availability of a high-powered sniper rifle from the outset, the unrealistic proximity of predators and herbivores, and the incredibly fast reload times (even while receiving tactical advice over a walkie-talkie) contribute to an experience that feels more akin to a rustic version of Call of Duty than a true-to-life hunting simulation. While this stylistic departure isn’t inherently negative, it’s crucial for players to understand that Pro Hunts prioritizes accessible action over meticulous simulation. This is particularly noticeable in the game’s menus, which are clearly designed with consoles in mind and feel clunky and unintuitive on a PC.

Average Graphics with Impressive Special Effects

Graphically, Cabela’s Big Game Hunter Pro Hunts falls short of its contemporaries, particularly considering its publisher, Activision. The overall visual quality, encompassing scenery, vegetation, and animal animations, lags behind other games in the genre. However, the game compensates for its graphical shortcomings by incorporating striking special effects. Most notably, each shot fired triggers a slow-motion sequence showcasing the bullet’s trajectory and its impact on the animal’s body, complete with a transparent view of the affected organs. While visually impressive, this feature might not appeal to all players, potentially being considered overly dramatic or even distasteful by some.

A Balanced Hunting Experience for Casual Players

Compared to its predecessors, Cabela’s Big Game Hunter Pro Hunts emerges as a pleasant surprise. Its vast map, diverse selection of weapons, and numerous animal species offer considerable replayability. However, the game’s lack of difficulty and its emphasis on visually appealing, action-oriented gameplay might not satisfy all players. The game excels as an introduction to the hunting genre, catering to beginners or those who prefer a less demanding, more action-packed experience. However, players seeking a more realistic and challenging hunting simulation would be better served by opting for titles like The Hunter, which prioritizes authenticity and precision.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Massive Game Map: The expansive map of the United States provides incredible variety and replayability.
• Wide Array of Weapons and Prey: A large selection of weapons and animal species ensures diversity in hunting experiences.
• User-Friendly Interface: The game’s controls and mechanics are generally intuitive and easy to learn, making it accessible to players of all skill levels.
• Engaging Career Mode: The progression system and unlocking of new areas keep players engaged and motivated.
• Emphasis on Responsible Hunting: The game subtly encourages ethical hunting practices, adding a layer of depth beyond mere shooting.

Cons:

• Lack of Realism: The arcade-style gameplay mechanics and exaggerated visual effects detract from the simulation aspect.
• Average Graphics: The visuals are dated and underwhelming compared to other games in the genre.
• Simplified Difficulty: The game may be too easy for experienced players seeking a more challenging experience.
• Clunky PC Menus: The console-focused menu design is frustrating and inefficient on a PC.
• Hollywood-esque Presentation: The dramatic slow-motion effects and other visual flourishes may not appeal to all players.

Alternatives

Several alternative hunting games offer different gameplay experiences compared to Cabela’s Big Game Hunter Pro Hunts. The Hunter, for instance, is a more realistic and simulation-focused title that prioritizes accuracy and precision. Other games like Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts and Hunting Unlimited offer varying degrees of realism and gameplay mechanics. The choice of game ultimately depends on individual preferences regarding realism, difficulty, and overall aesthetic presentation. Pro Hunts definitely caters to a more casual audience seeking immediate fun, whereas other options focus on immersive simulation and challenge. The selection of the “best” hunting game is highly subjective and depends on personal preferences.