Deer Drive

It might surprise you but games about hunting are actually plentiful. Some attempt to simulate a real hunting experience, such as Hunting Simulator 2020. Others, like Big Buck Hunter Arcade, have a more casual style. Deer Drive is a game that brings the two together. It’s a game where your shooting prowess doesn’t have to be incredibly accurate while the gameplay aims to still give you the impression of a real hunt. In essence, it plays more like a first-person shooter like Call of Duty where you can have fun without worrying much about your skills.

Here’s everything you need to know before you download Deer Drive.

Bring Home the Trophy

There are two reasons people hunt animals for, food and achievement. In Deer Drive, your main goal is to collect trophies to show off your hunting abilities.

Some animals are docile but fast so you’ll need to track them down and line up a shot at the right moment. Then there are animals that will attempt to attack or intimidate you. Each prey has its own difficulty. The harder it is to take them down, the bigger the trophy. Of course, there are animals that you shouldn’t shoot, such as does. Killing these will reduce your score and your reputation.

An Assortment of Animals

Deer Drive is primarily about taking home prized deer but there are scores of the other animals, each with their own unique patterns. You could, for instance, come across grizzly bears that don’t take kindly to humans. These ferocious beasts will attack you relentlessly on sight. Beware of moose, as well. These may not be out to kill your necessarily but their charge attack still hurts a great deal. And if you want to really test your aim in Deer Drive, try shooting some of the various birds and vermin.

In the Forest

As a hunter, being in the forest needs to feel natural and tranquil. Deer Drive’s environments try to place you in that exact place through its natural-sounding audio design. The game also features real weather effects that can help or hinder your hunt accordingly. Heavy rain and fog, for instance, can mess with your vision which is crucial for taking down trophy animals. One of the most jarring aspects of the game is its musical score. While clearly an effort has been made, the music in Deer Drive just doesn’t blend well with its environments and gets old quickly.

The Bottom Line

Deer Drive may not be one of the best hunting games out there but it’s got heart. The game blends together arcade action with simulation to produce a balanced experience.

Pros

• Simple shooting experience that feels like a relaxed FPS
• Lots of different animals to hunt down

Cons

• It can feel quite outdated because of its graphics
• While the sound design is okay, the game’s music is repetitive and annoying