Way of the Hunter 2 vs Hunting Simulator 3
Buy Way of the Hunter 2 for a 2026 open world you can play with one friend. Buy Hunting Simulator 3 if you hunt alone and want the dog, the lodge, and the licensed gear. The PC editions share a price; Nacon lists HS3 console editions at $49.99.
| Way of the Hunter 2 | Hunting Simulator 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | Nine Rocks / THQ Nordic | Nacon Studio Ghent / Nacon |
| Release | 29 Sep 2026 (Early Access 26 Mar 2026) | 29 Oct 2026 |
| US Steam / console price | $39.99 US Steam; console price not separately checked | $39.99 US Steam / $49.99 console (Nacon) |
| Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series | PC, PS5, Xbox Series |
| Co-op | Two-player online | Single-player |
| Places | New Laurentia, Kilimaya, Hearth & Hunt HQ | Two reserves, about 100 km² each |
| Animals | 13 at Early Access; full-launch count not published | Publisher does not print one count |
| Extra | Season pass, eight DLCs announced | Apex Predator and Classic American packs |
Eight differences that change the purchase
- Picture: both are current-gen. I am not scoring screenshots.
- Pace: WotH2 is the herd-and-trophy sequel. HS3 sells a guided loop.
- Maps: three named WotH2 regions versus two HS3 reserves. Official km² for WotH2 was not printed.
- Animals: WotH2 published an Early Access count of 13 and a plan near 30. The 1.0 count is not a single number on the pages I used. HS3 says dozens and stops there.
- Weapons: HS3 leans on licensed brand gear. WotH2 does not make that the headline.
- Co-op: two players versus none.
- Performance: no shared benchmark in these sources, so no FPS claim.
- Price: WotH2 Steam $39.99; HS3 Steam $39.99, while Nacon lists $49.99 for PS5/Xbox Series. WotH2 Early Access had been $29.99.
Two sentences to keep: pick WotH2 to hunt with one other person across New Laurentia and Kilimaya. Pick HS3 to hunt alone with a dog. The ranked context is best hunting games.
FAQ
Which should I buy?
Buy Way of the Hunter 2 if you want two-player co-op and the African reserve. Buy Hunting Simulator 3 if you want a solo loop with a dog and licensed gear. WotH2 is $39.99; HS3 is $39.99 on PC and $49.99 on PS5/Xbox Series.
Do they have the same maps?
No. WotH2 lists New Laurentia, Kilimaya, and a Rocky Mountain hub. HS3 lists two reserves of about 100 km², one described as seven biomes and one in Texas.
Is either on Game Pass?
I have no publisher sentence putting either game on Game Pass.
Sources
- Steam: Way of the Hunter 2 — checked 2026-11-13
- THQ Nordic launch note — checked 2026-11-13
- Steam: Hunting Simulator 3 — checked 2026-11-13
- Nacon: Hunting Simulator 3 — checked 2026-11-13
Updated 2026-11-13. Questions: [email protected].