Way of the Hunter 2 on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC compared: editions, bonuses, PS5 Pro support, GOG, demos, physical copies and cross-purchase rules.
Way of the Hunter 2 Xbox vs PS5 vs PC: What Each Version Has
Same game on all three platforms, launched September 29, 2026, with the base game at $39.99 everywhere. The $59.99 Deluxe is a console product: PlayStation and Xbox sell it as one package, Steam has no bundle at all — its only purchase option is the $39.99 base game — and GOG builds its own Digital Deluxe from base game plus Season Pass. The platforms differ in extras, not core game: PC gets hardware upscaling and a DRM-free GOG build, PS5 the Platinum Trophy and the only free trial, Xbox an "Optimized for Series X|S" badge and Game Pass streaming. There is no Ultimate Edition, and nothing you buy on one platform carries to another. Checked against the Steam API, the storefronts and the developer FAQ on October 3, 2026, during build 1.1.212672.
What Is Identical on Every Platform
- Content and systems: the same three hunting grounds, 28 species and gear (maps, animals), on Unreal Engine 5 with Nanite and Lumen, thermal night vision and suppressors. Only the upscalers and input limits below differ.
- Rules: two-player co-op, no cross-play, no microtransactions, no mods — the full answer.
Price and Edition Breakdown by Store
| Store | Standard | Deluxe | What the Deluxe contains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | $39.99 | None; no bundle exists | Season Pass + Heirloom Pack as add-ons |
| GOG | $39.99, DRM-free | "Digital Deluxe" bundle | Base + Season Pass |
| PlayStation Store | $39.99 | $59.99 | Base + Season Pass |
| Xbox Store | $39.99 | $59.99 | Base + Season Pass + Lodge Decoration |
The four DLC items are priced identically on all three stores:
| DLC | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Season Pass | $34.99 | 8 DLCs across year one, items unrevealed |
| Heirloom Pack | $4.99 | .243 Win rifle + scope, .270 Win rifle, bronze elk statue |
| Night Hunting Pack | $4.99 | Free with the original Way of the Hunter |
| Lodge Decoration | $1.99 | In the Xbox Deluxe bundle |
It was a pre-order bonus on PS5 and Xbox and a freebie for PC Early Access buyers. On October 3, 2026 it is a $4.99 add-on everywhere, while the FAQ platform table still shows the pre-launch state.
Platform Feature Comparison
| PC (Steam / GOG) | PS5 | Xbox Series X|S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | DLSS 4.5, FSR 4, scaling, frame generation | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Rebinding | Keyboard/mouse yes, controller no | Controller no | Controller no |
| Achievements | 20 on Steam | Platinum Trophy | Listed in capabilities |
| Free trial | None on Steam | 2-hour trial, PS Plus Premium | None listed |
| Online play, streaming | Free online, none | PS Plus required | Game Pass required; cloud streaming included |
| Ratings (Oct 3, 2026) | Mostly Positive on Steam | 3.81 / 5, 431 ratings | 66 ratings |
PC: Steam vs GOG
Both PC stores ship the same build and list DirectX 12 and 38 GB, matching Steam rather than the older FAQ numbers (system requirements). GOG is the PC-exclusive option: DRM-free, offline installer, no Galaxy required — Galaxy only syncs achievements and cloud saves. Steam adds 20 achievements, Steam Cloud, Family Sharing and trading cards, plus one limit: Steam Deck is not officially supported, so it runs unoptimized (what that means in practice).
PS5: Pro Support, Platinum Trophy and the Two-Hour Trial
The PlayStation Store gives PS5 the richest offer set: a 2-hour trial through PS Plus Premium, DualSense vibration and trigger effects, seven listed accessibility features and console sharing. Online play needs PS Plus, and the store claims up to four online players.
On PS5 Pro, evidence is thin: the FAQ question about Pro enhancements (performance/visual modes) is answered with one word — Yes — naming no modes or patch, and neither the 1.0 nor 1.1 patch notes mention a Pro build. Read it as promised, not delivered. Two store-versus-developer gaps remain: the "up to 4 online players" claim contradicts the developer's two-player co-op, and PS5 Performance Mode renders a mountain see-through near Sasquatch Lake.
Xbox Series X|S: Optimized, Cloud Playable, Two Live Bugs
The Xbox listing is stamped "Optimized for Xbox Series X|S", supports 12 languages and shows 66 ratings. It is cloud playable with Game Pass, but a purchase is required and online multiplayer needs a subscription.
Its capability list outruns the developer's words: online co-op (2–4), split screen, achievements, clubs and cloud saves. Steam lists no split-screen entry and the developer describes only two-player co-op, so treat split-screen as unverified.
Version 1.1's known-issues list carries two Xbox entries: inventory may clear after fast travel in multiplayer, and Series S can crash in memory-heavy scenes like a lodge full of dioramas. The known issues guide covers the process, including the Xbox Live bug-tracker login quirk.
Can You Upgrade From Standard to Deluxe After Launch?
- There is no Ultimate Edition. Only Standard and Deluxe exist; on Xbox, "Ultimate" is a Game Pass tier for cloud streaming that does not include the game.
- Pre-orders closed on September 29, so no pre-order Standard is left to upgrade. Assemble the Deluxe yourself: Season Pass ($34.99) plus Heirloom Pack ($4.99), reproducing everything except the now-worthless 24-hour early access.
- Whether the stores sell you the Deluxe product once you own the base game is undocumented — check the product page.
One legacy-owner wrinkle: the FAQ promises 13% off for original owners on all platforms, the live PlayStation and Xbox pages show a 10% notice, and the FAQ footer requires owning the original digitally on the same platform. Verify at checkout; price and editions breaks down each tier.
Cross-Purchase and Cross-Play: Both Are No
Official source: Way of the Hunter 2 FAQ — "No. PC, PlayStation, and Xbox are separate platforms and separate purchases. Purchasing the game on one platform does not grant ownership or pre-order bonuses on another."
- No cross-buy: a Steam copy unlocks nothing on console, and console bonuses never landed on PC.
- No cross-play: not in 1.0; requirements must be cleared with every platform holder.
- No save transfer: no documented way to move a save.
Demo and Trial Status
The free PC demo is gone. The official Steam announcement is dated February 23, 2026 and reads "As part of Steam Next Fest (February 23 – March 2) ... starting today"; the developer blog post for the same demo carries a February 22 date, which explains the one-day gap. The demo was Steam-only, 25% of the map with hard visible borders, and it awarded no XP. The "last 24 hours" notice says it was withdrawn after March 6, 2026, 4 PM CET, and its Steam app (4355440) now returns no store data. The live trial is PS5-only, via PS Plus Premium.
Physical Copies
Physical copies are announced but not dated. The FAQ says they are "planned for both PC and consoles and are currently in production", with "more details soon" — no date, no format list, no official retail price.
| Detail | Status on October 3, 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PC, PS5, Xbox editions | Planned, in production | Developer FAQ |
| Date, formats, official price | Not announced | Developer FAQ |
| Box contents | Disc and standard box, PS5 and Xbox Series X, listed at $39.99 each via Walmart by a pre-launch retail tracker — a third-party claim, not a THQ Nordic announcement | Third-party retail listing |
| Rating | ESRB Teen, on both console stores | PlayStation and Xbox store pages |
| Disc pre-order bonus | None announced; the Heirloom Pack route closed on launch day | Developer FAQ |
| Physical-purchase support | The bug tracker already asks whether you bought physically or digitally, plus a receipt | Developer known-issues page |
Which Version Should You Pick?
- PC with a discrete GPU, for DLSS 4.5, FSR 4 or a DRM-free install.
- PS5 for the only free trial, a Platinum Trophy and console sharing.
- Xbox if you already subscribe to Game Pass, or Series X|S optimization matters.
- All three? Three purchases, no shared progress or DLC.
FAQ
Can I buy it on Steam and play on PS5? No. The platforms are separate purchases; ownership on one grants nothing on another.
Is there a Way of the Hunter 2 Ultimate Edition? No. Only Standard ($39.99) and Deluxe ($59.99); on Xbox, "Ultimate" is a Game Pass tier.
Is there a free demo on PC? Not anymore. It was withdrawn on March 6, 2026 and is no longer listed on Steam. PS5 has a two-hour trial.
Does PS5 support PS5 Pro enhancements? The FAQ says yes in one word, naming no modes or patch, and no Pro build appears in the 1.0 or 1.1 patch notes.
Can I upgrade a Standard purchase to Deluxe? No upgrade path is documented. Buy the Season Pass ($34.99) and Heirloom Pack ($4.99) separately.
Related
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Way of the Hunter 2 known issues after launch: the demo config fix for broken resolution settings, plus how to report a bug.
All 3 Way of the Hunter 2 maps with exact sizes: New Laurentia and Kilimaya at 100 km2 each, Hearth & Hunt at 16 km2. What each holds.
How to play co-op in Way of the Hunter 2: how to invite a friend, open a lobby, join a session, and the 2-player limit that trips people up at launch.
New Laurentia in Way of the Hunter 2: the 100 km2 North America map, its 15 species, elk and moose behaviour, need zones, tracks and hunting pressure.
Way of the Hunter 2 update 1.1 summary: weather forecast, inverted look, controller deadzone fixes, what is still broken, and how to report bugs.
Way of the Hunter 2 costs $39.99 or $59.99 deluxe. What the 8-DLC Season Pass adds, what Heirloom Pack includes, and how game 1 owners save.
Way of the Hunter 2 Season Pass: 8 DLCs in year one, $34.99, release window, what is inside right now, and the three statues that prove it worked.