Open Country

Open Country is a game still in development, but what we have seen in it so far reveals it to be an exciting multi-genre game. Open Country can be a hunting game, a crafting simulation, and even has missions thrown in. This game is still being improved, but what we’ve seen of it is really exciting. Let’s delve into the world of Fun Labs’ Open Country.

A Smooth Experience

The first impression this game gives is one of sheer beauty. The graphics are very good, and movement feels very smooth as you walk around one of three maps. Each map is inspired by a different season (summer, fall and winter) and there is actually an element of story that is unusual for a hunting survival game.

Rather than be simply dropped into a world with no explanation, it turns out you have entered the wild for a purpose. Your character wants to become a master hunter, and your goal is to survive in the wild until you become one.

Survival and Hunting

The game is mostly a crafting, hunting, survival game. Fun Labs’ has taken elements of many of the games it has done for Cabela’s, and added them all into this game. The hunting is similar to Cabela’s Hunting Expedition, and you can ride ATVs like in Cabela’s Off-Road 4x4 Adventure. You can go off and do what you like in this game, but it’s all strung together by a lose story line and even some missions you can play to help you understand what your goal is.

Bonding with man’s best friend

One unique feature to this game is that a hunting dog is available in this game. The dog can help you with hunting—but only if you win him over. The dog is found in game and won’t trust you at first. You’ll have to spend time petting him and interacting with him before he’s willing to help you.

Some rough patches

There were a few areas during testing where it was obvious the game was still very much in development. All the ATVs allow you to travel faster to the places you want to go, their movement isn’t anywhere near as good as the movement from walking around. It doesn’t feel natural at all.

Another problem is that while the feel of the weapons are good, and there is a very generous number of weapons available, you can shoot an animal almost anywhere, and it will instantly kill the animal in question. We can assume that this will be fixed as the game progresses, but right now it’s an almost comical part of the game.

Pros:

• Many unique features for a hunting and survival game
• Well developed maps and natural movement

Cons:

• Some bugs yet to be worked out