Game Reviews

Deer Hunter: African Safari

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Deer Hunter: African Safari

Africa isn't the first destination to consider when planning a deer hunting excursion, though outwitting wildlife is no different on one continent from the next.

Whether it's North American white-tailed deer or African red deer, they're the same when viewed through the scope of a hunting gun.

Deer Hunter: African Safari illustrates this point well, deviating little from the previous instalment of the series in terms of gameplay. Tag, target, and shoot - the animals may have changed, but the gameplay remains the same. A new setting with less content hardly justifies the outing.

The horns of Africa

It's worth noting that in the whole of Africa there resides only one species of deer and it's nowhere to be found in the game. Instead, you're here to hunt kudu (a native type of antelope, which is similar to a deer), lion, buffalo, zebra, and elephant. An eclectic mix of game to be sure, although identical in their response to gunfire.

The pop of a gunshot is enough to freak the animals in any given location, which makes accurate aiming critical to a successful hunt.

Sliding a finger across the screen moves your targeting reticle, whereas tapping the scope zooms in for more precise targeting. You can even steady your aim by holding your breath, although it's a measure negligibly better than the default shaky aim.

Unclear shot

One creative new feature allows you select a viewpoint from which to survey the landscape. Upon tracking down wildlife on the GPS map, you're granted the choice of a handful of positions from which to begin the hunt.

Unfortunately, you're unable to set the camera angle before starting the hunt, which can result in a hunt being labelled a failure because the game plops you into the field without an animal in your direct line of sight. This causes you to be returned to the GPS map to track down another beast. It's a minor annoyance, but a flaw nevertheless.

The absence of any social networking features is conspicuous, although not surprising given the previous instalment's lack of same.

Deer Hunter: African Safari repeats the mistake of Deer Hunter 3D in foregoing any social gaming network integration, let alone Facebook or Twitter functionality. This leaves achievements and trophy wall prizes hollow.

Pelts at a premium

Network connectivity can be found in the game, but only for purchasing optional equipment. Special tracking equipment and high-powered weaponry are available in paid download packs. Given the ease of hunting with the default equipment provided, there appears to be little reason to part with cash for optional goods.

Furthermore, at more than five times the price of the first game, Deer Hunter: African Safari offers less content. Three locations instead of four, fewer weapons, and less equipment. Why pay more for less when you can download the original for 59p/99c and experience the same gameplay?

While Deer Hunter: African Safari offers minor additions, its gameplay and main set of features remain identical to Deer Hunter 3D. There's nothing here that advances the series in a meaningful way, even if it's accurate to say that it plays well. It hits the mark, but the target was already well marked.

Deer Hunter: African Safari

Deer Hunter: African Safari is a decent game, in spite of its unwillingness to push the series forward with new modes or features
Score
Tracy Erickson
Tracy Erickson
Manning our editorial outpost in America, Tracy comes with years of expertise at mashing a keyboard. When he's not out painting the town red, he jets across the home of the brave, covering press events under the Pocket Gamer banner.