Deer Hunter II: The Hunt Continues
DeveloperSunstorm Interactive[1]
PublisherWizardWorks
ReleasedOctober 1998[2]
PlatformsWindows
SeriesDeer Hunter
EngineSunstorm Terrain Engine[3]

Deer Hunter II: The Hunt Continues is a 1998 video game from WizardWorks, which was based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. An add-on for the game titled Deer Hunter II: Extended Season was released in May 1999.[4]

Gameplay

In Deer Hunter II: The Hunt Continues, the gameplay pivots into a more immersive simulation of the hunting experience. Players can now walk freely through the terrain, aided by a GPS device that replaces the map screen of the original. This GPS not only tracks location and elevation but also helps navigate the twelve new hunting locales, ranging from Pennsylvania to Georgia, each offering seasonal variations like rut, pre-rut, and post-rut conditions. The game introduces a hunter profile system, allowing users to create and track multiple identities, complete with hit ratios, weapon settings, and a personal trophy room. Weapon selection features nine options from traditional longbows to scoped revolvers and bolt-action rifles, each requiring manual sighting for accuracy. Inventory tools include attractant scents, decoys, calls, and even a scrape dripper, all designed to mimic real-life hunting tactics. Tracking wounded deer includes visible blood trails, scrapes, and droppings guiding the player. The hunter's stamina also plays a role; sprinting too long results in fatigue, slowing movement.[5]

Development

Deer Hunter II was first teased in July 1998.[6] The game was officially announced a month later in August,[7] and was released in October of that year. The title was endorsed by Wildlife Forever, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining America's wildlife heritage. A portion of the sales from this game was donated to Wildlife Forever.[8]

Reception

The game received average reviews. Computer Gaming World said, "Deer Hunter II is a game that, while it won't appeal to the non-hunting, hard-core gaming crowd, is just right for real-life hunters or anyone who wants a fun diversion between work assignments"[9]

Sales

Globally, Deer Hunter II shipped more than 500,000 units within the first month of its release. More than 800,000 units were shipped worldwide by January 1999.[10][1][2][11] According to PC Data, Deer Hunter II was the best-selling game of November 1998, and it was also the best-selling piece of PC software for that month, even beating out the Windows 98 upgrade.[11] Ultimately, PC Data ranked Deer Hunter II as the fifth best-selling game during 1998 in the US.[12]

References

  1. ^ "GT Interactive's New Sequel to 'Deer Hunter' Taps Into Fast-growing Consumer Market of "Casual Gamers". Business Wire. Gale. October 5, 1998. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2022. – via The Free Library
  2. ^ Jebens, Harley (October 5, 1998). "Deer Hunter II Ships". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived April 21, 1999 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  3. ^ Fudge, James (February 10, 1999). "Sunstorm to License STE - the engine behind Deer Hunter 2". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived July 9, 2003 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  4. ^ Fudge, James (April 15, 1999). "GT Interactive Announces Deer Hunter II: Extended Season". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived May 24, 2003 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  5. ^ Vallina, Joe (December 3, 1998). "Deer Hunter II Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived December 16, 2004 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  6. ^ Mills, Karren (July 12, 1998). "Interactive hunting games bringing in big bucks". The Greenville News. Gannett Company. p. 32. Retrieved June 30, 2023. – via Newspapers.com
  7. ^ Ocampo, Jason (August 24, 1998). "GT Interactive looks to replace its seminal hunting game". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived July 9, 2003 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  8. ^ "Buck Fever Goes 3D With Wizardworks 'Deer Hunter II', Sequel To The Best-Selling 'Deer Hunter' PC Game". WizardWorks. August 24, 1998. Archived August 18, 2000 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  9. ^ Vallina, Joe (March 1999). "Time to Die, Bambi: Part II (Deer Hunter II Review)". Computer Gaming World. No. 176. Ziff Davis. p. 180. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  10. ^ "GT Ships in Excess of 500,000 Copies of 3D Sequel to Million-Unit and Top 10 Selling 'Deer Hunter' CD ROM". Wizardworks. October 5, 1998. Archived June 1, 2000 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  11. ^ IGN staff (January 26, 1999). "Deer Hunter Marches On". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived September 28, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  12. ^ "Top 10 Best Selling Games of 1998". Computer Gaming World. No. 177. 1999. p. 51.