THQ Nordic and Nine Rocks Games have confirmed that the hunting simulator Way of the Hunter 2 will leave Early Access on September 29th and launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. Pre-orders are now live, and the Heirloom Pack is included as a bonus. The price will increase, and multiplayer is in development.
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Way of the Hunter 2 will leave Early Access on September 29th – release date, platforms, and pre-orders revealed
Publisher THQ Nordic and studio Nine Rocks Games have revealed the exact release date for the full version of their hunting simulator: September 29, 2026. On this date, the game will launch simultaneously on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, ending its PC Early Access, which began on March 26th. Pre-orders are now open, and everyone who orders now will receive an exclusive Heirloom Pack – more details later.
By the way, the developers are open about the game’s price increasing as it gets closer to release. Way of the Hunter 2 cost $29.99 in Early Access, and after version 1.0, the price will increase—this is standard practice for Early Access titles. So, those still hesitant should hurry if they want to save money.
Way of the Hunter 2: Full Version Release Date and Platforms
When will Way of the Hunter 2 leave Early Access?
The official announcement was made at the THQ Nordic Showcase, where it was confirmed that the game would reach version 1.0 on September 29th. This isn’t a delay or rumor: the date is fixed in the official release notes and is already visible in stores. Until then, the project will remain in Early Access, but all owners of the current version will automatically receive the final build at no additional cost.
What platforms is the game available on?
Way of the Hunter 2 is being released on three main platforms:
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PC — exclusively on Steam;
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PlayStation 5;
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Xbox Series X|S.
PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions are not planned—the developers are focusing on the current generation’s capabilities. However, the game has already been designated “playable” on Steam Deck, which will please handheld gamers.
What’s included in version 1.0 — Early Access Roadmap
What updates have been released during Early Access?
During the five months of Early Access, the Nine Rocks Games team released several major patches. The most notable was the addition of a second hunting ground, Kilimaya (African savannah), in May, which complemented the Canadian New Laurentia. Tracking systems, animal behavior, and the interface were also improved. The developers promise that final balance and optimization tweaks will be implemented by the release.
Multiplayer in Way of the Hunter 2
One of the hottest topics is multiplayer mode. It is in active development and, according to the studio, will appear in one of the next updates after release. Details are still scarce, but it is known that there will be several co-op hunting modes. This is a significant improvement over the first game, which lacked multiplayer.
Partner Brands and Realistic Equipment
Notably, the game integrates equipment from more than ten real global brands—manufacturers of weapons, optics, and accessories. Among them are Bergara, Bushnell, Christensen Arms, Strasser, Zeiss, and others. These aren’t just cosmetics: every gun, scope, and decoy has real-world counterparts and impacts gameplay, adding a unique authenticity to the simulator.
Way of the Hunter 2 Pre-Order – Price and Heirloom Pack
What does the Heirloom Pack DLC include?
Pre-order the game before release will receive a bonus Heirloom Pack. It includes:
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a classic rifle with engravings;
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a scope with decorative embellishments;
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a modern rifle with increased accuracy;
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a decorative fountain with animal figures in front of the hunting lodge.
This pack is purely cosmetic, but collectors will definitely appreciate it. Additionally, for those who want the ultimate experience, the Deluxe Edition is available—it provides 24-hour early access to the release version and the Season One Season Pass, which includes eight future DLCs.
How much does Way of the Hunter 2 cost?
Prices vary by region and store. For example, on European Steam, the base version costs approximately 149 zł, on the PS Store it’s 169 zł, and on Xbox it’s 167.49 zł. Exact prices for Russia haven’t yet been announced, but the benchmark is an increase over Early Access. In any case, owners of the Early Access version will receive 1.0 for free, and all their saves will likely transfer (official confirmation pending).
Way of the Hunter 2 PC System Requirements
Minimum:
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OS: Windows 11;
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Processor: Ryzen 5 3600X / Core i5-9600K;
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RAM: 16 GB;
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Graphics Card: GeForce RTX 2060 / Radeon RX 5600 XT;
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DirectX 12;
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Free Space: 30 GB.
Recommended:
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Ryzen 5 7600X / Core i5-14600K;
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GeForce RTX 4060 Ti / Radeon RX 7600 XT.
The game uses Unreal Engine 5, so the higher-than-average requirements are the price to pay for the open-world detail and realistic physics.
What players are saying about Way of the Hunter 2
On Steam, the game currently has mostly positive reviews. Players praise the atmosphere, detailed animal behavior, and graphical quality, but criticize minor bugs and the lack of multiplayer. The developers are actively responding to feedback and promise to make the game as stable as possible by September 29th. So if you enjoy hardcore simulators where every shot requires careful calculation, this release is definitely worth your attention.
Bottom Line
Mark your calendars for September 29th: Way of the Hunter 2 is coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox. Pre-orders are available now with the bonus Heirloom Pack, and the price is lower than the release price. If you’ve already played in Early Access, just wait for the update; your progress will be intact. If not, now’s the time to check out the discounts while they’re still available.
