I'm hunting deer, dear!
Pros:
Plenty of details!
Cons:
Sometimes the deer do stupid stuff!
The Bottom Line:
A must have for deer hunting enthusiasts! All of the challenge with none of the death!
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Being a big fan of the first Deer Hunter game I was pleased when my wife bought me Deer Hunter 4 as a Christmas gift. I always said I was going to buy Deer Hunter II, then Deer Hunter III. Of course, I never did!
This game is a huge improvement over the original! Every aspect of the original has been improved on and so many new things have been added that this game can't even be fairly compared to the original!
In the first game you pretty much tip-toed through the woods looking for deer. Well, in Deer Hunter 4 you still tip-toe through the woods. However, if you're not the tip-toe type, you can now zip around on an ATV or a snowmobile! You can also drive around in the truck this time. In the original the truck was just scenery. And, if that's not enough, you can even grab a boat and head out into the water!
The scenery in this game is greatly improved as well! Now you don't just trek through the endless woods. There are lakes, roads, houses, trails, and the obligatory trees. You can hunt in a variety of places, such as Canada, Colorado, Missouri, and Washington.
Another great addition to this game is changing weather and seasons. It rains. It snows. Trees lose their leaves. It gets dark. Everything you would expect to encounter while out hunting is in here!
The deer themselves have been given "brains" as well. They now have enough artificial intelligence to "hear" you moving around if you aren't careful. They can also "see" you walking towards them. This means you have to be patient and wait for them to come to you. The one flaw I've noticed is the deer have a tendancy to run towards you when you start shooting. If you hit one in a group, chances are pretty good at least one more will run right in front of you. This allows you to get multiple kills. But this is a minor complaint.
This game has also added the task of planting seeds and growing your own rye, corn, and wheat. These can be used to attract the deer. You can also use calls, scents, decoys, and other essential equipment.
If hunting isn't your thing you can try your hand at being hunted! Deer Hunter 4 offers a "Play The Deer" mode which allows you to experience hunting from another perspective.
Another great feature is the option for on-line play. You can hunt with your friends via the internet. Now you and your pals can get together for a day of hunting without ever leaving your homes!
Overall, this is one of the best games I have played in a while. Some people may be turned off by the slow pace of the game. There are times when all you do is set up a decoy then sit and wait until something shows up to investigate. Although the wait can get a bit boring, it pays off when you hear the rustling of an approaching buck. Your bloods starts pumping as you anticipate the moment when you see that big blacktail approaching. Just don't get too anxious or he'll be gone before you can even raise your rifle!
If you're a hunter, you'll appreciate the reality of this game. If you can't bring yourself to hunt for real, this offers an alternative that doesn't result in the death of a real living thing. If video depictions of animals being killed bother you, steer clear!
