Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2

The original Xbox release of Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2 plays more like a sequence of dangerous trail encounters than a patient hunting simulation. A direct Xbox review finds that animals bursting from cover can create a useful jolt of tension. Rustling, danger music and rifle effects also provide cues that make those brief attacks easier to read. The campaign's identity is less convincing. Many objectives involve saving people, and repeated walks along similar paths replace the deliberate tracking that the title may lead a hunting fan to expect. As ambushes recur, surprise gives way to a predictable routine. Blocky animals and environments further limit the outdoor atmosphere. The available Xbox-specific account does not establish a severe input or crash problem, so the technical deduction is for rough presentation rather than invented functional failure. This measured score credits moment-to-moment excitement and helpful audio while charging for repetition and a poorly served premise. It concerns the 2005 sequel, not Dangerous Hunts 2009 or another Cabela release. Someone seeking a simple older-console action hunt may enjoy a few missions; a player wanting careful stalking, varied strategy or convincing wildlife should be cautious.

Who it is for: Original Xbox players who want simple animal-attack action rather than a simulation.

Play notes: The scored release is the 2005 Xbox sequel, not Dangerous Hunts 2009.