Wondering whether to buy

[Anthracite]

So I've read a lot of reviews and watched a lot of videos, but I'm still unsure whether to buy this given I just got burned by another EA game.

A lot of the reviews seem to be written by kids and are centred on nostalgia and RPing; I'd be interested in hearing from other adults who bought the game without prior experience, and who aren't interested in making OCs out of the wolves you play as. Is there any real game here, or is it mostly a running and howling simulator? I don't mind a bit of grind and hardship, I have 100% achievements on ancestors: the humankind odyssey after all, and honestly I'm looking for something similar. I know there's no multi-species evolution in this game, but the day to day survival aspect seems similar.

Also not sure how KK is so fatal in wolves when it's so harmlessly common in dogs (99% of labradors are KK f.ex.), but that's an issue for another scientific paper.

Thanks.

[Miko]

I know you said you wanted feedback from other adults, but I'm quite an experienced, mature player who'd like to share my thoughts. I personally think that if you enjoy realism, survival, hardship and quite a long playthrough, this may be the game for you! I'd also say it's much more than running and howling. it can keep you hooked for hours on end with territory marking, den attacks, hungry pups and more. there's grinding here and there too.

[Runic-Raptor]

I will admit I played the previous version as a kid, so I do have some nostalgia - and beyond that, nature simulators like this are exactly the kind of game I adore, so this being a favorite game of mine is to be expected.

So WolfQuest is built as a northern range, Yellowstone wolf simulator. Pretty much all actual gameplay is based around real wolf behavior, and therefore is fairly unlike a majority of video games which center around progression through a story or world. (I'm not familiar with Ancestors/Humankind Odyssey, so I cannot provide any comparison there).

The "story" of WolfQuest is always the same. You are a wolf, looking for a mate, hunting, maintaining territory, protecting your pups, and raising them to adulthood. The two "episodes" that are out currently cover everything except for raising them to adulthood and all the trials that include. Completing these two episodes take a number of hours, but with some focus could be completed in an afternoon or two.

After raising your pups, you can raise another litter with your wolf and mate, or play as one of your pups on their journey.

The gameplay can be kind of repetitive, but it is meant to accurately reflect the life of a Yellowstone wolf. Wolves aren't going on grand adventures, or necessarily exploring and discovering things that are interesting to the player.

There are a number of landmarks, collectibles, and Easter eggs for the player to find (such as human items you can find and bring back to your pups), but nothing so unrealistic or grand.

I feel like a lot of people built characters and personalities for their wolves as a way to make each run interesting and different (and obviously many then use those wolves as OCs).

I primarily attribute personalities to my wolves as a way to challenge myself to play differently, and really embrace the immersion of being a wolf. "This wolf is aggressive, so he'll chase predators away even after they've given up their attack," or "This wolf is more cautious, so they won't start a hunt they don't think they can finish."

---

It's a really good game, and the developers clearly put a LOT of care into it.

But ultimately, it depends what kind of game you're looking for.

If you like animal survival games, especially ones based in reality rather than lore or story, then this is probably a good game to try!

If you like wolves or have ever wanted to play as a realistic wolf, this is definitely a good game to try!

If you're more someone who's interested in adventure based gameplay, speedrunning, or more in depth story and lore, then WolfQuest isn't really that kind of game.

I play on accurate ironwolf, and I have a lot of fun playing again and again, even if the core gameplay can be somewhat repetitive. I like to play as realistic wolves, but I do think of them as individuals with personalities to keep things interesting. I play as my wolf's pups, and then their pups, and so on. (I even keep a research styled log of which wolves survive and die, and compare it to actual Yellowstone statistics because I'm a nerd)

I also have a full review which goes into more detail about the game and some of the features I really appreciate it having.

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I'd personally recommend it, I enjoy it a lot, and I know the Devs put a lot of time and care into the game and its community. But it is up to you to decide if it's the kind of game you think you'd enjoy.

[Loach]

KK is fatal in wolves because it weakens their resistance to diseases they may come across in the wild. Dogs often get vaccines against illnesses.

Wolves do not have the luxury of these vaccines. If a wolf pup in the wild gets parvovirus or distemper there is no vet to call for to make them better, so that extra resistance to disease, even if it is just a little, is important.

- - -

I've played the game since I was a kid and regularly wind up making characters of my wolves (I get attached after playing with them for so long, so it happens), so can't really answer the rest of your questions.

I will say that the reason I have stayed with it since its original release in 2007 is not purely out of nostalgia: it's because it's the one game I find right now that lets me actually live to some degree as the animal depicted , with functioning AI and other systems instead of say, being empty online servers where you're just competing against other players. I like that I can make a wolf, get put in the world, and then actually hunt deer or elk or moose or beavers.

For someone of your mindset, though, I recommend perhaps waiting. Right now the game functions where first map is like Level 1 and second map is Level 2. The full saga with a complete game loop to raise pups to adults and see them go off on their own isn't here yet and I feel like that might appeal to you more, since at that point there'll be a proper loop from year to year and not a point where it sort of 'stops'.

[PhantomX]

I'm an adult player who basically only plays single player, and aside from some of my gripes with the mates, there's actually quite a lot to enjoy and even something of a skill curve, hunting is fun, though sometimes it's a lot of running to drain their stamina, (looking at you mule deer), fighting off competitors, dealing with a risk and reward scenario in a few situations, and honestly even though i get frustrated in slough creek at times i always end up coming back. the game does nothing but improve and the devs interact quite regularly with the fan base, and with the rest of the saga coming out, I enjoy this game quite a bit.

for early access it already feels quite filled out and i look forward to the rest of the planned content.

[PhantomX]

I did play the first one but honestly found it quite boring, and after 2 full run throughs never went back to it. this one however i have over 200 hours on, and since i play on accurate ironwolf, many many failed attempts at getting a wolf to age 8 lol but as i said i always end up coming back to it, i think its the hunting i enjoy the most honestly, though the time management is also fun

[cutecabaret]

If you like animal simulators, this is the best one on the market right now. The gameplay loop is a little bit repetitive but accurate does provide a decent challenge and make you have to actually think. There's a few AI problems I have gripes with but for the most part it's solid and for an EA game this is actually pretty well done. My advice if you do end up getting it is you NEED to watch the older devlogs and read their off site knowledge base, because the tutorial is a little bit janky and not a lot of things are explained to the player, especially if you have played other GENRES of video games before and expect things to work the same way.

[airgid-sionnach]

If you're worried about this game becoming abandonware, the devs have been working on AE for over four years. Many people who had bought 2.7 got AE (Also refereed to as WQ3) for free. They will not abandon the game, and this is the only Early Access game where I can say that.

(Figured enough people talked about gameplay)

[Wylloh]

I cannot speak for how similar this game is to any others, as this is the only game I play that involves direct, single-player animal simulation. But, I am an adult that's been playing this game for a couple of years now, and I can say without a doubt that this is one of my favorite games to play. Additionally, I don't have a sense of nostalgia for 2.7, because I never played it.

In regards to making OCs, however -- I am a roleplayer, so it's only natural for me to make OCs in games, and WolfQuest is no exception. I don't use multiplayer (so no direct role-playing with others), but I do make stories out of my wolves' lives and keep everything in a document and spreadsheet. This "storytelling", if you will, is part of the reason I love to play this game so much, and I will be honest here: I'm not sure that I would like this game so much if I couldn't be creative with it. But that being said, everyone has their own way to enjoy games! And who's to say you wouldn't find your own way, aside from yourself?

The gameplay itself probably starts off pretty slow with finding a mate at first, but currently the main part of the story is raising your pups, which is anything but slow. If I went into a lot of detail this post would end up very long, so I'll just say this: never consider your pups to be safe. Additionally, they're planning a new update to the game called the Saga (I would watch the devblog about it, called Where No WolfQuest Has Gone Before), which will shift away from its currently episodic nature and make progression more natural. And since you like challenges: there are three game modes, ranging from easy to hard ("accurate"). There's also a mode called Ironwolf, where your wolf has only one life, and if you die, then that's the end. I have a feeling you might like the challenge of accurate ironwolf.

In short, this game really is anything but a running-around-and-howling simulator. Day-to-day survival is definitely present in this game, and if you play on accurate ironwolf, any mistake can be fatal. More often than not I forget that this game is in early access -- it's clear how much the devs care for this game. Sure, it could do with a bit of polish here and there, but it's a truly amazing game in my opinion.

Edit: If you're interested in an evolution game, Niche might be more up your alley. However, it can get even more repetitive than this game can due to its simplicity (the only way I can enjoy Niche is if I make a story out of it).

[Wylloh]

Originally posted by cutecabaret:

If you like animal simulators, this is the best one on the market right now. The gameplay loop is a little bit repetitive but accurate does provide a decent challenge and make you have to actually think. There's a few AI problems I have gripes with but for the most part it's solid and for an EA game this is actually pretty well done. My advice if you do end up getting it is you NEED to watch the older devlogs and read their off site knowledge base, because the tutorial is a little bit janky and not a lot of things are explained to the player, especially if you have played other GENRES of video games before and expect things to work the same way.

WolfQuest was the first game like it that I ever played and I never needed a tutorial to help me -- but that doesn't mean others won't. There is a "Game Help" section in-game too that wasn't mentioned here. This game does have a bit of a learning curve, but don't let those small struggles discourage you from ever playing the game again if you decide to buy it.

[Sightless]

Adult here who is usually good at separating myself from stuff. I'd be able to give you a better answer if you gave details on what kind of games you like. Since I don't have those variables, I'll just tell you what kind of game this is.

First off before anything else it is a simulation game. Other simulation games that come to mind are dinosaur games, zoo tycoon, farm games, etc. If you like simulation games you will like this.

It is a game that is interesting as in it can take the form of intense micromanaging and metagaming (which I love), or you can make it as straightforward and clear cut as you want. I'm always finding out new ways people play it from me that vary quite considerably. So if that versatility sounds fun to you then you might like it.

You mention you don't like oc stuff and such. Then this game might not have much replay value for you as of yet. What is getting a lot of people to replay it is the fact that they can have their wolves play until they die of old age and play as their pups. So it feels like a cycle. If you do not create the attachment or feel rewarded for that kind of progress then you might not like the game. Later the game will go through natural seasons and the continuation of your pack. That may feel more rewarding.

And if it sounds meh to you then don't buy and try something else and wait till later to check the game. We all have are likes and dislikes so no hard feelings.

[Anthracite]

First of all, thank you for all the in depth replies; I have read them all and other posts, and I get the sense that this community is one of the most helpful and least toxic gaming environments I've yet found. I appreciate this greatly.

I have actually got Niche already, though I don't play it any more because once you've maxed out your creatures in all environments... well that's it if you aren't a RPer (which, ironically, I do every day, just via text not games). The other games I currently play most are Ancestors, Planet Zoo and various village builders/civ progression, so I think that experiencing clear progress is pretty important to my game-style. I do worry about getting bored pretty quickly in this game due to this, hence why I asked. I do agree the upcoming Saga version looks more like my style so I may wait until that has been finished before I dip in, because I do think this game looks brilliant for what it's trying to achieve and the devs do appear to be dedicated, but when you've just been burnt... well, you get a bit sore.

I do have a, perhaps random, question, about the size of the maps. I don't mean in what size they're emulating irl, but in terms of day/night length vs territory size and activities. In Ancestors f.ex. the map is long enough that to walk from one end to another would take about an in game week, if you were caring for your apes. How would this compare to WQ? Does it feel like a race against the clock to get everything done? Does it drag so you end up lounging around most of the time? Or have they met that sweet spot?

Thanks a lot for your replies.

[PhantomX]

Originally posted by Anthracite:

I do have a, perhaps random, question, about the size of the maps. I don't mean in what size they're emulating irl, but in terms of day/night length vs territory size and activities. In Ancestors f.ex. the map is long enough that to walk from one end to another would take about an in game week, if you were caring for your apes. How would this compare to WQ? Does it feel like a race against the clock to get everything done? Does it drag so you end up lounging around most of the time? Or have they met that sweet spot?

Thanks a lot for your replies.

This is an interesting question to try to break down. This is just how i kind of see it in the best way to be able to answer.
the day/night cycle seems decently long, and you're not restricted to the time frame *necessarily. territory size is going to depend on you, even though the game encourages you to have at least 15 hexes, you can have less and you can have more, there's pros and cons to both. the only real limit for travelling and hunting is going to be health, but imo more importantly, wakefulness meter. you can still manuever at 0% but your stamina cap lowers GREATLY, so its best to hunt after you've slept, then deal with territory and threats can still be manageable.
For the map size, you can sprint from one side of a large territory to the other at full wakefulness, though you probably wouldn't be able to do much else. A lot of this is going to depend on how you want to manage your hunting and territory, and the mates will *occasionally* help with at least a few hexes assuming they and the pups are hungry, they may also find food but... ngl some players, myself included, find the mate AI... questionable at best. Some people aren't bothered and have no issues with mates, I would personally say don't expect them to help too much and only depend on them if absolutely necessary, or just use them to help you hunt.

There's also different maps, personally amethyst feels smaller to me then slough creek, and there's less to do, crossing amethyst takes a few minutes and thats it. slough is where you have your main territory and pups after getting a mate in amethyst. and lost river.... i haven't played.

[lanaenae]

I played this game as a child, though I'm an adult now and play a variety of games. If you tend to player harder games, I don't think WolfQuest will be a huge challenge for you (at least it's not for me, even on accurate) but it's still an enjoyable challenge.

Right now, your pups do not age to adulthood, so if that's something you're interested in, I'd hold off until the saga version comes out. The game revolves around more than running around or howling. You do need to eat, sleep, protector your territory, and hunt for your pups. The hunting is what people seem to find most difficult. That and fighting off threats to your pups.

I think the game requires a particular love for wolves and realism, so if you're not interested in those, I'd say pass. If you are, this is the best game you'll find for it.

As for the KK gene, it lessens disease resistance and has been studied in several scientific articles. I believe the developers explain it and their sources in a few dev blogs. You can rest assured that the devs of WolfQuest work closely with biologists and those affiliated Yellowstone to bring the best accuracy they can to the game while also making it fun.

[Anthracite]

Thanks for all your replies, again. I earned a tenner doing a taxi run so decided to give the game a go, and I spent 8 hours in a row on it. I think I can definitely say it's held my interest so far! I decided not to be a dudebro and try to prove how amazing I am by starting on a difficult level, so I'm interested to see how the game will be as I move up the difficulty scale.

[Wylloh]

Originally posted by Anthracite:

Thanks for all your replies, again. I earned a tenner doing a taxi run so decided to give the game a go, and I spent 8 hours in a row on it. I think I can definitely say it's held my interest so far! I decided not to be a dudebro and try to prove how amazing I am by starting on a difficult level, so I'm interested to see how the game will be as I move up the difficulty scale.

I'm sure you'll be playing accurate in no time! Damage modifiers scale based on difficulty-- I don't remember what it is for easy, but in challenging it's a 1-to-1. In accurate, however, while you do 1.5x damage, you receive 2.7x (I believe) damage. It makes hunts go by quicker than they are in challenging but you definitely need to be more cautious. It takes a small bit of getting used to when you first switch, but now that I have, I enjoy accurate a lot more.