Hunting Simulator 3 PS5 Review: Is Nacon's Open-World Sim Worth It?

The digital wilderness has never felt quite this vast, quiet, or technically demanding. In this hands-on Hunting Simulator 3 PS5 review, we break down whether Nacon Studio Ghent's latest outing delivers the ultimate next-gen tracking experience or falls prey to simulation bloat. Anyone diving into our Hunting Simulator 3 PS5 review will quickly realize that this sequel leans aggressively into authentic ballistics, expansive terrain, and strict hunting ethics.

Developed by Nacon Studio Ghent and released in late 2026, the game promises a major leap forward over its predecessor. With two sprawling 40-square-mile reserves, licensed hardware, canine companions, and an updated animal behavior system, the franchise aims to challenge reigning genre champions like theHunter: Call of the Wild and Way of the Hunter.

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Maps, Scale, and the SimFauna Wildlife System

The heart of any hunting simulation lies in its terrain and animal behavior. Hunting Simulator 3 launches with two massive regions: the rugged subalpine ridges of Colorado and the sun-baked, brush-choked hills of Texas. Each reserve covers roughly 40 square miles, giving players substantial ground to cover on foot or behind the wheel of an all-terrain vehicle.

To bring these environments to life, the developers introduced the proprietary "SimFauna" ecosystem. Rather than spawning static herds at predictable times, the system tracks animal routines, herd hierarchies, and biological maturity over sustained periods.

During testing conducted for this Hunting Simulator 3 PS5 review, the animal AI demonstrated both impressive realism and occasional stubbornness. Spotting a herd of mule deer or whitetail requires reading the wind direction, managing silhouette visibility, and switching off lights well before cresting a ridge. If an errant breeze carries your scent 150 yards away, mature bucks issue warning stomps and immediately clear out.

Wind Direction & Scent Cone
      ▲
     / \     [Scent sweeps downwind]
    /   \
   /  O  \   <-- Hunter (Stationary / Crouched)
     ---
      │
      ▼      [Animals upwind remain unaware; animals downwind spook instantly]

Community reports and our own playthrough sessions confirm that animals exhibit distinct age grading. When scanning game through high-powered optics, binoculars display vital data such as estimated age (e.g., a 1.3-year-old spike versus a 4.2-year-old trophy buck). Harvesting young animals yields negligible scores and modest financial payouts, forcing players to glass herds carefully and pick mature targets.

Map Comparison: Colorado vs. Texas Reserves

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Ballistics, Real-World Arsenals, and Terminal Damage

Gunplay is where Hunting Simulator 3 firmly stakes its claim as an authentic simulator rather than an arcade shooter. Testing the ballistics for our Hunting Simulator 3 PS5 review revealed a punishing, highly rewarding trajectory model that demands an understanding of flight time, bullet drop, and zeroing.

At the lodge's long-distance shooting range, targets extend past 1,000 yards. Firing a modest cartridge like a .243 Winchester over 600 yards requires significant holdover if your optic is zeroed at 100 meters. Bullets do not strike instantly; there is a tangible delay between the crack of the primer and steel ringing downrange.

The game features an impressive stable of officially licensed firearm and optics manufacturers, including:

• Winchester: Model 70, XPR Sporter, XPR Strata, Wildcat rimfires
• Beretta: BRX1 straight-pull rifles, premium over/under and side-by-side shotguns
• Browning: X-Bolt series, semi-automatic centerfire rifles, T-Bolt rimfires
• Remington: Model 700 bolt-actions, 870 pump shotguns
• European Specialties: Merkel, Haenel, and Verney-Carron boutique builds
• Archery: Bear Archery compound bows, traditional longbows, and hunting crossbows
• Optics: Bushnell variable zoom and tactical reticles

Terminal ballistics are equally detailed. Following a successful shot, an X-ray trajectory camera breaks down internal damage. Striking heavy bone, such as a shoulder or rib, visibly bleeds kinetic energy from the projectile. If a lightweight bullet hits an angled rib, it may fragment or stop short before penetrating both lungs. Conversely, firing an overpowered caliber like a .300 Winchester Magnum at small game causes massive tissue destruction, ruining the harvest score.

Shot Impact & Energy Transfer Profile
[Muzzle Exit] ────> [Air Drag & Drop] ────> [Rib Impact: -45% Energy] ────> [Double Lung Cavitation] ────> [Far-Side Bone Stop]

Popular Calibers and Ethical Game Matchups

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Gameplay Loop: Companion Dogs, Tag Economy, and Vehicles

A successful hunt in Hunting Simulator 3 requires patience, preparation, and strict adherence to hunting regulations. Before stepping out into either reserve, players must acquire legal tags.

In this Hunting Simulator 3 PS5 review, the economy proved to be one of the game's most unforgiving elements. Tags are purchased individually or in bundles (such as an eight-deer harvest license) using earned cash or reserve vouchers. If you drop a Canada goose or black bear without the proper permit—or use an unapproved caliber—your payout drops to a symbolic single dollar, and taxidermy privileges are revoked.

To make traversing 40-square-mile maps manageable, players can deploy utility vehicles like the quiet, electric Polaris side-by-side ATV. While driving at high speeds through brush can spook wildlife across a massive radius, it saves critical time when commuting between remote outposts, high stands, and harvest sites.

The canine companion system adds vital depth to the tracking phase. Players can adopt and name a hunting dog, utilizing an intuitive radial command wheel to control its behavior in the field.

Canine Command Wheel
          [ Scout ]
              ▲
              │
 [ Heel ] ◄───┼───► [ Stay ]
              │
              ▼
         [ Retrieve ]

A trained retriever eliminates the frustration of tracking downed waterfowl in deep reeds or searching for small game like prairie dogs after a long-distance shot. When hunting big game, issuing a scout command allows your hound to sweep forward, identify fresh tracks, and alert you to nearby bedding areas without flushing prey.

Canine Companion Commands & Utility

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PS5 Performance, DualSense Features, and Visual Fidelity

Console players often worry that complex PC simulations will suffer from clunky controller schemes or poor performance. Fortunately, our hands-on Hunting Simulator 3 PS5 review testing showed solid optimization across the board.

Players can switch seamlessly between a traditional first-person perspective and a third-person camera. While first-person remains mandatory for precise aiming and long-range optics, third-person navigation makes cross-country hiking and navigating brush far more comfortable.

The title leverages the PlayStation 5's DualSense wireless controller effectively. Trigger resistance tightens as you squeeze through the wall of a two-stage rifle trigger, providing tactile feedback before the firing pin drops. Haptic feedback subtly rumbles when walking across rocky scree, wading through Colorado marshlands, or gunning the throttle of an electric Polaris ATV.

Visually, the lighting engine shines during dawn and dusk cycles. Long shadows stretch across Texas draws, and dynamic mist gathers over Colorado valley floors. Texture streaming occasionally hitches when driving vehicles at top speed, but foot-based tracking holds a smooth frame rate target. You can inspect further technical specifications on the official Hunting Simulator 3 on Steam page.

Technical & Gameplay Scorecard

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Final Verdict: Does It Take Down the Competition?

When delivering our final Hunting Simulator 3 PS5 review verdict, it is clear that Nacon Studio Ghent focused on depth over instant gratification. This is not a fast-paced shooting gallery; it is a methodical, atmospheric sim that rewards patience, proper zeroing, and disciplined scouting.

The inclusion of genuine firearms from Browning, Winchester, and Beretta—paired with the SimFauna dynamic animal aging system—gives every harvest genuine weight. While the rigid tag economy and punishing caliber restrictions may frustrate casual players, seasoned hunters will appreciate the dedication to real-world conservation laws.

If you are looking for an open-world outdoor simulator that puts marksmanship and fieldcraft above run-and-gun action, Hunting Simulator 3 on PlayStation 5 is well worth adding to your digital trophy lodge.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hunting Simulator 3 support cross-play or multiplayer?

The core experience focuses heavily on single-player open-world exploration, shooting range challenges, and lodge customization. Online multiplayer modes allow hunters to explore reserves and track game alongside friends, though cross-platform play depends on current network patch versions.

How punishing is the tag and licensing system?

The licensing system is strict by design. Harvesting an animal without the appropriate tag, or dropping game with an unapproved cartridge class (such as shooting waterfowl with a .300 Win Mag), slashes your harvest payout to $1 and locks out taxidermy options. Always buy tags prior to setting out from the lodge.

Can you play the entire game in third-person mode?

In our Hunting Simulator 3 PS5 review, we confirmed that players can freely toggle between first-person and third-person camera angles while on foot. However, lining up shots through rifle scopes, iron sights, and bow pins automatically shifts you into first-person view for precision aiming.

Is the electric Polaris ATV available from the start?

Yes, utility vehicles can be accessed from reserve garages once unlocked. The electric side-by-side offers a quiet, swift method for traveling across the 40-square-mile maps, though driving too close to active herds will still alert skittish game.