Hunting Simulator 3 Launches on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

Hunting Simulator 3 is now available for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Developed by NACON Studio Ghent and published by NACON, the new entry brings the hunting series to current-generation hardware with Unreal Engine 5 technology, two large outdoor regions, more than 35 animal species and an ecosystem system intended to make every trip into the wilderness less predictable.

The release represents a substantial expansion of the simulation's scope. Rather than presenting hunting as a simple matter of locating a target and taking a shot, Hunting Simulator 3 emphasizes preparation, observation and responding to the environment. Wind direction, scent, ground cover, movement and seasonal shifts all form part of the process, while wildlife is designed to behave independently of the player.

NACON says the Hunting Simulator community now includes two million fans. With its latest instalment, the studio is aiming to give those players larger spaces to explore, a deeper collection of authentic gear and more ways to establish a personal hunting routine, whether that means patiently tracking large game, taking a vehicle across rough terrain or working alongside a canine companion.

Two 39-square-mile hunting regions

Hunting Simulator 3 launches with two regions, each spanning 39 square miles. One is inspired by the high-altitude woodland environments of Colorado, while the other draws from the broad, wind-swept plains of Texas. The contrasting settings should encourage players to alter their tactics depending on the territory they choose to enter.

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The Colorado-inspired area places an emphasis on forested wilderness and higher elevations. Dense vegetation can provide useful cover, but it can also limit sightlines and make it harder to identify animals before they detect the player. The Texas-inspired location, by comparison, offers more open plains shaped by exposure to the wind. That makes awareness of the surrounding conditions especially important, as players need to think about how their approach may carry sound or scent toward an animal.

Players can begin their excursions behind the wheel of a Polaris UTV, using the vehicle to cover longer distances through the map. Once they have reached a promising location, they can leave the vehicle and continue their search on foot. This split between travel and careful movement is central to the game's intended rhythm: getting to a hunting area is only the first step, and the slower work of reading the landscape begins after that.

SimFauna aims for evolving animal behavior

A major feature of Hunting Simulator 3 is its SimFauna system. Wildlife is not meant to wait in fixed positions for the player to arrive. Instead, animals are designed to live independently within the environment, reacting to the changing seasons and learning from the behavior they encounter.

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That means repeated mistakes may have consequences. A player who rushes into an area, moves carelessly through cover or approaches from the wrong direction may disturb animals and make future opportunities more difficult. Successful hunts depend on paying attention to several factors at once, from the wind and the player's scent trail to available vegetation and the amount of noise created while moving.

The game includes more than 35 animal species. Large game can demand a patient approach and a careful choice of equipment, while predators create a different kind of concern during wilderness excursions. Hunting Simulator 3 frames the outdoor spaces as active habitats rather than just a sequence of shooting ranges, with the animal population and environmental conditions expected to shape how a session unfolds.

Hunting Simulator 3 places tracking, fieldcraft and environmental awareness at the center of its wilderness experience.

The seasonal element is particularly notable because it supports the broader goal of variety. Even players returning to a familiar section of a map may need to account for different conditions and wildlife patterns. For a hunting simulation, that ongoing adjustment is likely to be one of the most important aspects of long-term play.

A canine companion for tracking and retrieval

Players do not have to venture into the field alone. Hunting Simulator 3 includes a dog companion that can be directed through a command wheel. The companion can follow scent trails, assist the player in moving through terrain and retrieve small game after a successful hunt.

That makes the dog more than a cosmetic addition. Tracking is an essential part of the genre, particularly when visibility is poor or an animal has moved beyond the player's immediate view. A companion capable of picking up scents can help turn a difficult search into a more manageable pursuit. The retrieval function also supports the practical side of the experience, helping players complete a hunt after the shot has been taken.

Using the command wheel suggests that players will need to decide when and how to involve their companion rather than simply treating the dog as a passive follower. In a game built around deliberate movement and careful awareness, coordination with a canine partner adds another layer to the overall expedition.

More than 200 items, including 75 firearms

Equipment selection is another major pillar of Hunting Simulator 3. The game includes more than 200 authentic items, covering firearms, optics and accessories. The available collection includes 75 firearms, alongside scopes and other tools suited to different approaches and conditions.

Several established brands are represented, including Remington, Beretta, Winchester and Browning. Their inclusion gives players a broad array of recognizable equipment as they prepare for different targets and landscapes. Choosing a weapon and attachments is presented as part of planning for a hunt, rather than a one-size-fits-all decision made before every outing.

Different terrain can naturally create different priorities. Open country may call for one type of setup, while a heavily wooded area may require players to focus on a different balance of visibility, mobility and control. The game's attention to wind, vegetation and animal behavior means that equipment is only one element of preparation, but it remains an important one.

Players can acquire and modify gear through the game's hunting lodge, which serves as the central hub between trips into the field. The lodge is also where trophies can be displayed, allowing successful hunts to become part of a visible personal collection. In addition, it includes an area to practice, giving players an opportunity to spend time with their equipment before setting out into either of the game's large regions.

The hunting lodge and clay shooting activities

The lodge is intended to provide a home base for the full Hunting Simulator 3 experience. It combines practical functions, such as purchasing and customizing equipment, with the more personal act of showing off trophies. This makes it a place where players can review their progress, adjust their preferred loadouts and prepare for whatever type of hunt they want to pursue next.

For players who want to focus specifically on their shooting, the game also offers clay pigeon sessions. These shooting activities include scoring and a global leaderboard, creating a more competitive option outside the open-world tracking and hunting loop.

The clay pigeon mode gives players a focused challenge that can be approached independently of the wider wilderness systems. It also complements the lodge's practice facilities, giving users a way to test their aim and compare results globally. While the simulation's core remains its outdoor hunting areas, this extra activity broadens the package for those who enjoy precision shooting challenges.

Available now on current-generation platforms

With its two expansive regions, adaptive SimFauna wildlife system, dog companion, Polaris UTV travel and extensive equipment collection, Hunting Simulator 3 is designed around the slower, methodical side of the hunting genre. Players are expected to study their surroundings, make use of cover, monitor the wind and adapt to animal behavior rather than relying on a direct route to a target.

Hunting Simulator 3 is available now on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The release does not include announcements for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, mobile devices or handheld platforms.