General Questions
1. Why Early Access?
We’re launching Way of the Hunter 2 in Early Access so the players can help shape the game while it’s still being built. Community input matters most at this stage, once core systems are baked, it’s much harder to make meaningful changes.
While the game is playable and features a huge amount of content, we’re still working on additional features and final balancing. We’ll be releasing several content updates during the Early Access phase.
Early Access allows us to improve the game based on your feedback. It helps us get closer to our ultimate goal – to create the best hunting game out there.
We encourage players to share feedback with us through any official channel, such as our Discord, Steam Forum, Reddit, or via THQN Redmine, in case you encounter any bugs and issues.
You can learn more about our decision to launch in Early Access in the dev diary "Why Early Access", watch it - HERE.
2. When exactly does the game release?
The game launches into Early Access simultaneously across all time zones on March 26th 2026, at 3:00 PM Central European Time. There is no ETA for the full release of the game yet.
3. Which platforms will the game be released on?
Early Access is available on Steam - PC only. It allows us to rapidly patch and iterate with the community, which is currently only feasible on PC. The full version of Way of the Hunter 2 is planned to be released on PC (Steam, GOG), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S - but there is no ETA yet.
4. Does the game support Steam Deck?
While the game can technically be launched and played on Steam Deck, it is not officially supported at this time. Running it may require manual configuration and various workarounds, none of which have been thoroughly tested on our end.
Performance and gameplay are not optimized for Steam Deck, and users should expect potential issues that would not normally occur on a PC that meets the minimum system requirements.
5. How much will the game cost?
Way of the Hunter 2 Early Access launch price is $29.99 / €29.99. The price will increase during Early Access, and the full 1.0 release will be priced at $39.99 / €39.99.
There is also a 20% launch discount available until April 9, 2026, which reduces the Early Access price to $23.99 / €23.99 for a limited time.
6. Will there be physical editions? Collector’s editions?
We don’t have any details on this yet. As we get closer to the full release, we’ll share more information about any special editions for Way of the Hunter 2.
7. Is there a roadmap for future content?
If Way of the Hunter 2 follows a similar financial trajectory (pun proudly intended) to Way of the Hunter 1, we will be supporting the game for years to come. You can find the full detailed roadmap and our blog post about it on our website via THIS LINK.
8. Will there be microtransactions or other monetization features?
No, there are no plans for microtransactions in Way of the Hunter 2. In the future, we plan to support the game with DLC content as part of its long-term strategy, following a similar approach to the first game.
9. How long will Early Access last?
Early Access is currently planned to last around six months, but this may change during development.
Technical Questions
1. Which engine does the game use?
The game is currently developed in Unreal Engine 5.7. As UE5 itself is continuously evolving, we plan to adapt to newer engine versions over time. However, we won’t update immediately after each release, as the process can be complex and time-consuming. If we decide to upgrade the engine, we will inform the community.
2. How does Unreal Engine 5 improve the game visually?
UE5 allows us to use technologies such as Nanite and Lumen.
Nanite allows for highly detailed geometry, especially for foliage and trees, improving environmental realism.
Lumen handles global illumination, which significantly improves lighting such as sunrises, sunsets, and natural light behavior.
These systems help make the world more detailed and visually dynamic.
3. Does the game support DLSS, FSR, Frame Generation, or resolution scaling?
Yes, the game supports DLSS 4.5 and FSR 4, along with resolution scaling and multiple quality presets. Frame Generation is also available.
4. What are the final hardware requirements?
Minimum Requirements:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 11
Processor: Ryzen 5 3600X / Core i5-9600K
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce RTX 2060 / Radeon RX 5600 XT
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 30 GB available space
Recommended Requirements:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 11
Processor: Ryzen 5 7600X / Core i5-14600K
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce RTX 4060 Ti / Radeon RX 7600 XT
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 30 GB available space
Please note that performance optimization is an ongoing process. We are continuously working to improve and fine-tune the game throughout development, therefore, the hardware requirements may change during the Early Access period.
5. Could progress be reset during Early Access?
Unfortunately, yes, it’s possible. During Early Access, we will be making multiple internal changes to core game systems, which may occasionally cause compatibility issues between builds. In some cases, this could affect save files or player progression. We’ll do our best to minimize this and avoid progress loss, and we’ll inform you in advance if a reset becomes necessary.
6. Will Early Access saves carry over to the full release?
Most likely not. As mentioned above, ongoing changes to the core systems during development may make existing save files incompatible with the full release. That said, we’ll do everything to minimize any impact and protect your progress.
7. Will the game feature multiplayer and persistent worlds?
Yes, both are planned. However, multiplayer still needs a little time to cook, so it won’t be available at the Early Access launch. We aim to introduce it as soon as possible in one of the upcoming updates. Both single-player and multiplayer will have separate worlds and populations, meaning they won’t overlap. Both modes are planned to support persistent worlds, but each will function independently within its own experience.
8. Will motion blur, film grain, and similar options be toggleable?
More graphics customization options will be revealed later, during Early Access development, and their priority will also be influenced by player feedback and demand.
9. Are controls customizable?
Yes. Controls can be customized for keyboard and mouse. Controller layouts, however, are not customizable.
10. Does the game support ultrawide monitors?
Yes, ultrawide monitors are supported. However, we’re aware there may be some minor issues at launch. We’ll be monitoring this closely and will address any problems if they come up.
11. Can HUD elements be disabled?
HUD customization is not fully available at launch. However, there are already some settings players can adjust to suit their preferences. On the EA launch, players can customize the crosshair and Hunter Assist via settings, its information can be toggled or turned off entirely. We plan to expand and refine HUD customization options over time as development continues.
12. Is the game playable offline?
Yes.
13. Are mods planned or supported?
No. Mod support is not planned at this time.
14. Will accessibility options be included?
Accessibility options will continue to evolve during Early Access, and some features will be expanded based on player feedback. With Way of the Hunter 2, we aim to support different playstyles and accessibility needs, such as colorblind accessibility, and we’ll continue improving these options throughout development.
Gameplay & Systems
1. Will caller mechanics and animal behavior be improved?
Caller mechanics and animal behavior systems will continue to be expanded and tweaked during Early Access based on player input.
2. How complex is the trophy and antler generation system?
The trophy generation system is significantly expanded compared to the first game.
In Way of the Hunter 1, trophies were largely preset variations.
In Way of the Hunter 2, trophies are procedurally generated, allowing for greater diversity and uniqueness.
That said, the system is still evolving during Early Access, and the full variety we’re aiming for won’t be available right at launch. We’ll continue to expand and refine it over time, including features like non-typical trophies. We’ll share more details in an upcoming dev diary focused on the trophy system, including a deeper look at antler generation - stay tuned!
3. Will animals move and create tracks dynamically, or will they stick to fixed paths and tracks like in the first game?
Yes. Tracks are dynamically created between need zones, and spooked animals can also create temporary dynamic tracks across the map.
4. Will herd management and tracking animal systems be expanded?
We want to support herd management as much as possible. Several improvements are already planned, and we’ll continue developing these systems based on player feedback during Early Access.
5. Will there be additional weapons and equipment?
Yes. We plan to expand the selection of weapons, attachments, and equipment throughout Early Access. This will include suppressors or more advanced options for night hunting in an early update, along with other additions over time. Frequently requested items, like muzzleloaders, will be considered and prioritized based on development plans and community feedback. More details will be shared in a detailed roadmap at a later stage.
6. Will there be hardcore or customizable difficulty settings?
Difficulty options will be further developed during Early Access. At Early Access launch, there are three difficulty levels available, and these may be adjusted over time based on development priorities and community feedback. We also plan to add more difficulty presets in the future, although not necessarily during Early Access.
7. Will there be character customization?
Character customization and clothing options are planned, but they won’t be included at the Early Access launch. The priority of this feature may also depend on community demand compared to other requested features.
8. Will customization affect gameplay?
Functional gear, such as suppressors, will have a direct impact on gameplay. Cosmetic options, however, are not expected to affect gameplay right now, though the exact approach will be discussed internally.
Maps, Animals & World Design
1. Is the game open world or story-driven?
The game offers both an open-world free hunt experience and structured missions, with a strong focus on gameplay and clear objectives, complemented by light story elements for added context and atmosphere. You can pick up objectives from NPCs across the map, each with their own story, many with references to the first game, and plenty of easter eggs along the way. No spoilers though… you’ll have to discover them yourself. There are four NPCs waiting across New Laurentia.
2. How many maps are available at Early Access?
At the launch of Early Access, the game features one map - New Laurentia, a 10×10 km open-world region inspired by the North American wilderness. An additional map is planned to be added in a planned update soon.
3. How many animal species are available?
There are currently 13 species available at the Early Access launch, with around 30 species planned across all maps by the full release.
Species currently available in Early Access:
American wolverine
Grizzly bear
Dall sheep
Eastern wild turkey
Northwestern gray wolf
Mallard
Western moose
White-tailed ptarmigan
Rocky Mountain elk
Rocky Mountain mule deer
Snowshoe hare
Northern white-tailed deer
Wood bison
More species are planned to be added during Early Access.
4. What can the dog companion do?
The dog can search for animal signs, help locate active life zones, and track wounded animals by following blood trails. The dog improves over time through bonding and use, becoming more obedient and reliable. Players will also be able to name their dog and develop its skills over time.
5. Are new environments planned for the future?
Yes. The game is designed for long-term support, so new maps and environments are planned for future updates. Creating a new map is a massive project that can take over a year of work, including location research, pre-production, production, testing, and polishing.
Way of the Hunter 2 launches into Early Access in just two days, and this is just the start. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out to us on social media or on our official Discord - we hear you. We’ll keep this FAQ updated as development continues.
