Written by Chen Xi, PC & Console Requirements Specialist at Game Launch Hub
Way of the Hunter 2 System Requirements: PC Specs, PS5, Xbox Series X|S & Steam Deck Performance Guide
Way of the Hunter 2 is Nine Rocks Games’ follow-up to its 2022 hunting simulator, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 and expanded across two major biomes: the North American wilderness of New Laurentia and the African savannah. It launched into Steam Early Access on 26 March 2026 and leaves Early Access for a full 1.0 release on 29 September 2026, arriving simultaneously on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Performance-wise, this is a genuinely demanding title for its genre: the official minimum asks for an RTX 2060 or RX 5600 XT with 16 GB of RAM, and Windows 11 is a hard requirement at both tiers. The official specifications are published on the Steam support page and cross-checked against GameGPU and VGtimes.
System Requirements
Minimum (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i5-9600K |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT |
| VRAM | Not listed separately; the RTX 2060 ships with 6 GB, the RX 5600 XT with 6 GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 38 GB available space on SSD (Steam page lists 38 GB; SteamDB depot data shows 30.56 GiB on disk) |
| Network | Broadband internet connection required for online co-op |
| Additional Notes | Requirements are subject to change during Early Access. Full controller support. Online co-op supported. |
Source: Steam support page for Way of the Hunter 2, GameGPU, and VGtimes. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The minimum tier targets 1080p at 30 to 60 fps on low-to-medium settings. The Ryzen 5 3600X is a 2019 processor and the RTX 2060 is a 2019 mid-range card with 6 GB of VRAM. This is hardware from roughly six to seven years ago, and it represents a meaningful step up from the original Way of the Hunter’s minimum specification, which asked for a GTX 1060. The 16 GB RAM requirement is non-negotiable and appears at both tiers, which is standard for modern open-world games built in Unreal Engine 5. The 38 GB storage figure on the Steam page is the official requirement, though SteamDB’s depot data shows 30.56 GiB on disk with a compressed download size of 27.18 GiB. The Windows 11 requirement is a hard floor: there is no Windows 10 fallback listed anywhere on the specification sheet. If you are still running Windows 10, you cannot meet the minimum specification. The SSD is strongly recommended, and given the game’s Unreal Engine 5 asset streaming, a mechanical drive will produce noticeably longer load times.
Recommended (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 7600X or Intel Core i5-14600K |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT |
| VRAM | Not listed separately; the RTX 4060 Ti ships with 8 GB or 16 GB, the RX 7600 XT with 16 GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 |
| Storage | 38 GB available space on SSD |
| Network | Broadband internet connection required for online co-op |
| Additional Notes | Requirements are subject to change during Early Access. |
Source: Steam support page for Way of the Hunter 2, GameGPU, and VGtimes. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The recommended tier targets 1080p or 1440p at 60 fps on high settings. The Ryzen 5 7600X is a 2022 processor and the RTX 4060 Ti is a 2023 mid-range card. The 16 GB RAM requirement is identical to the minimum, which confirms the game’s memory footprint does not scale with graphical settings. The jump from a 6 GB GPU to an 8 GB or 16 GB GPU is the most meaningful change between tiers, and it reflects the increased texture and geometry data that higher resolutions demand. Some third-party sources, including VGtimes, list 32 GB of RAM as the recommended figure, but this does not appear on the official Steam specification. If you have a gaming PC from the last three to four years with an RTX 4060 Ti or better and 16 GB of RAM, you will meet this tier comfortably. However, see the performance reality section below before assuming that meeting the recommended tier guarantees a smooth experience.
A Note on VRAM and System RAM
The 6 GB VRAM minimum is the hard GPU threshold: a 4 GB card will not meet this specification. The 16 GB system RAM requirement is non-negotiable at both tiers, and some third-party sources suggest 32 GB for the recommended tier. Given the game’s Unreal Engine 5 foundation and its open-world environments spanning two continents, the system RAM requirement is the more relevant constraint for consistent performance in the late game, when more of the map is loaded and animal populations are active across multiple regions. If you are running 16 GB, you meet the specification, but you may encounter stuttering or texture streaming issues in the most demanding areas. Do not upgrade your GPU without also ensuring you have at least 16 GB of RAM.
PlayStation 5
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Firmware | Latest PS5 system software |
| Storage | Not specified on the PlayStation Store listing; PC version requires 38 GB |
| Performance | Specific resolution and frame rate targets not published by Nine Rocks Games. DualSense vibration and trigger effects supported. |
| Additional Notes | PS5 console debut on 29 September 2026. Online play requires PS Plus. Up to 4 online players with PS Plus. Single player and online co-op supported. |
Source: PlayStation Store listing, CDKeyPrices, and Gematsu. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The PS5 version launches on 29 September 2026 alongside the PC 1.0 release and Xbox versions. Nine Rocks Games has not published specific resolution or frame rate targets for the PS5. The DualSense controller’s vibration and trigger effects are supported. Online play requires a PS Plus subscription and supports up to four players. The game is a single-player and online co-op experience with no competitive multiplayer. Given the game’s PC recommended specification of an RTX 4060 Ti for 60 fps, the PS5’s GPU is broadly comparable to an RTX 2070 or RX 6700 in rasterisation performance, so a 60 fps target at 1440p or dynamic 4K is a reasonable expectation, though this is an inference rather than a confirmed figure. If you own a PS5, check post-launch technical analysis before committing if frame rate consistency matters to you.
Xbox Series X|S
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Firmware | Latest Xbox system software |
| Storage | Not specified on the Xbox Store listing; PC version requires 38 GB |
| Performance | Specific resolution and frame rate targets not published by Nine Rocks Games. Xbox Series S gameplay footage shows performance challenges. |
| Additional Notes | Xbox Series XS console debut on 29 September 2026. Online multiplayer requires Xbox Game Pass Essential, Premium, or Ultimate. Single player and online co-op supported. |
Source: Xbox Wire, the Xbox Store listing, and Xbox gameplay footage. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The Xbox Series X|S version launches on 29 September 2026 and carries the Optimised for Xbox Series X|S badge. Nine Rocks Games has not published specific resolution or frame rate targets for either console. Online multiplayer requires an Xbox Game Pass Core, Premium, or Ultimate subscription. Gameplay footage from the Xbox Series S shows the game running but with “low hardware performance” noted in the video’s description, which suggests the Series S may struggle to maintain a stable frame rate. The Xbox Series X is likely to perform better given its more powerful GPU, but this remains unconfirmed. If you own an Xbox Series S and are considering this game, wait for post-launch technical analysis before committing.
Nintendo Switch 2: Not Available
Way of the Hunter 2 has no Nintendo Switch 2 version. The game launched on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S only, and Nine Rocks Games has not announced plans for a Nintendo version. If you play primarily on Nintendo hardware, you cannot access this game.
Steam Deck
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Playable (Valve’s official rating) |
| Performance | The game can technically be launched and played, but is not officially supported. Running it may require manual configuration and various workarounds. Performance and gameplay are not optimised for Steam Deck. |
| Additional Notes | Developer states: “While the game can technically be launched and played on Steam Deck, it is not officially supported at this time. Running it may require manual configuration and various workarounds, none of which have been thoroughly tested on our end. Performance and gameplay are not optimized for Steam Deck, and users should expect potential issues that would not normally occur on a PC that meets the minimum system requirements.” |
Source: Nine Rocks Games FAQ, Steambase, and CheckMyDeck. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
What this means in practice: Way of the Hunter 2 carries a Playable rating on Steam Deck, which is Valve’s middle compatibility tier rather than the full Verified badge. The developer’s own FAQ is unusually direct about the limitations: “it is not officially supported at this time,” running it may require “manual configuration and various workarounds,” and “performance and gameplay are not optimised for Steam Deck.” The game supports Steam Deck’s native display resolution but does not set it by default, meaning you will need to configure the resolution manually. It also does not default to external Bluetooth or USB controllers, so you will need to adjust input settings if you want to use a separate gamepad. The 38 GB install size will consume a significant portion of the Steam Deck’s internal storage. If you own a Steam Deck and want to play Way of the Hunter 2, it is technically possible, but the developer explicitly warns that the experience is not optimised and may have issues that would not occur on a PC meeting the minimum specification. This is not a recommended experience at launch.
macOS and Linux: Listed but Not Fully Supported
The Steam store page and Steambase both list Mac and Linux as supported platforms, alongside Windows and Steam Deck (Playable). However, the official system requirements published by Nine Rocks Games and THQ Nordic are Windows 11 only, and no macOS or Linux-specific specifications have been published. The Mac and Linux listings may reflect the game running through compatibility layers or a planned future release, but they are not backed by official specification data. If you are a Mac or Linux user, check the Steam page for updates before purchasing.
Performance Reality: Read Before Buying
The official specifications tell an optimistic story, but player reports and independent analysis paint a more complicated picture. VaporLens’ review analysis found that optimisation is the game’s most consistent criticism, with “frequent complaints about inconsistent FPS, stuttering, memory leaks, and performance drops even on high-end PCs.” GameBrain’s review aggregation found that 31 percent of optimisation mentions were negative, with users reporting “graphical glitches, texture flickering, and occasional crashes, especially on lower-end hardware.”
Player reports on Steam Community forums show a wide performance spread. One player with an i7-10700K, 32 GB of RAM, and an RTX 4070 running DLSS on Quality mode reported 60 to 85 fps. Another with an RTX 4090 and i9-10980XE reported the game running “fine at high setting” with no lag or jittering. However, a player with an RTX 4090, 48 GB of DDR5 RAM, and an i7-14700K stated they were “not happy with the performance at all… frame rate too low for my liking with this setup.” Another player reported that TheHunter: Call of the Wild averages 90 to 110 fps on maxed settings on their system, while Way of the Hunter 2 “struggles to stay above 30fps without DLSS maxed out and the lowest of settings.” Gotyrr’s early access review noted that “aside from the glitches and freezing, the game runs very well with high and stable frames per second,” which suggests the performance ceiling is high but the consistency is not. If you are buying on PC, check the latest patch notes and Steam reviews for the current state, as Nine Rocks Games has been releasing updates throughout Early Access.
Price and Editions
Way of the Hunter 2 leaves Early Access on 29 September 2026 at a price of $39.99 / €39.99**. Pre-orders are open now and include the **Heirloom Pack DLC**. All owners of the original Way of the Hunter receive a **10 percent loyalty discount** on the sequel. The Early Access price was **$29.99 / €29.99 with a 20 percent launch discount available until April 2026, but the price increased as the game approached its full release. There is no Deluxe or Collector’s Edition announced at this time, though Nine Rocks Games has stated that details will be shared closer to launch.
Post-Launch Roadmap
Nine Rocks Games has stated that Way of the Hunter 2 will be supported for years to come, following a similar financial trajectory to the original Way of the Hunter. The game’s move to Unreal Engine 5 was described by the developers as “a huge strategic step” that will “allow it to be serviced at the highest possible quality for years to come.” The Early Access period included several content updates, and the full 1.0 release adds the African savannah as a second major biome alongside the North American wilderness. The game features over 30 species across both environments, including moose, elk, bears, bison, lions, and crocodiles, along with a hunting dog companion that can track wounded animals and improve through training.
Final Verdict: Can Your Setup Run Way of the Hunter 2?
Way of the Hunter 2 is a demanding hunting simulator with a higher hardware floor than most games in its genre. The minimum spec asks for an RTX 2060 or RX 5600 XT with 16 GB of RAM, and Windows 11 is mandatory. The 6 GB VRAM floor is the hard GPU threshold: a 4 GB card will not meet it. If you have a gaming PC from the last five to six years with a 6 GB GPU and 16 GB of RAM, you meet the minimum, but you should expect to run the game at lower settings to maintain a stable frame rate.
The recommended tier asks for an RTX 4060 Ti or RX 7600 XT with 16 GB of RAM for 1080p or 1440p at 60 fps. If you have a gaming PC from the last three to four years with an 8 GB GPU and 16 GB of RAM, you meet this tier. However, player reports suggest that even high-end hardware can struggle with inconsistent frame rates and stuttering, and the game’s optimisation has been its most consistent criticism since Early Access began. The 38 GB install size is moderate, and an SSD is strongly recommended.
On console, the game launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on 29 September 2026. Nine Rocks Games has not published specific resolution or frame rate targets for either platform. The Xbox Series S gameplay footage shows performance challenges, and the Series X is likely to perform better but this remains unconfirmed. There is no Nintendo Switch 2 version. On Steam Deck, the game is rated Playable but not officially supported, and the developer explicitly warns that it is not optimised for the handheld. This is not a recommended experience on Steam Deck at launch.
Specs and performance may be revised by Nine Rocks Games in future patches, and the developer has been releasing content updates and performance improvements throughout Early Access. This article reflects the Steam support page, SteamDB’s depot data, GameGPU, VGtimes, Nine Rocks Games’ official FAQ, Steambase, CheckMyDeck, VaporLens, GameBrain, Gotyrr, the Xbox Wire announcement, and verified player reports as of 23 September 2026. Chen Xi verifies all specifications by checking official store pages and dating each table; no numbers in this article are estimated or inferred.