A whole life as a wolf: New wildlife simulator launches on Steam with 97% positive reviews and #1 on SteamDB
WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition is a detailed wildlife simulation developed and published by Eduweb. After launching in Early Access on July 25, 2019, the game saw its full release on July 22, 2025, quickly climbing to the top of SteamDB’s “Hot Releases” chart. Players take on the life of a gray wolf pup in northern Yellowstone. You start by creating your wolf, customizing everything from fur pattern and eye color to body shape and even the sound of your howl. From there, you set out to hunt, claim territory and find a mate to start your own pack. But the journey continues – raising and protecting your pups becomes your main goal, as you defend your family from threats like bears, coyotes and rival wolves. Many players report emotional and intense moments, building strong bonds with their pups and packmates. And when loss strikes, it can be genuinely heartbreaking.
Players can choose to play through a single season or dive into a deeper generational story in “Saga” mode. In this long-term journey, pups grow up and eventually leave the pack to start lives of their own. Hunting plays a central role in WolfQuest. It is not just about survival for your wolf, but also about feeding your pups every day. The hunting mechanics go far beyond a simple mini-game – players must track prey, monitor wind direction, identify weak animals and strike at the right moment. Fail to do so, and the prey might escape or even fight back. The realistic behavior of wolves, prey and rival packs is one of the most praised aspects of the game. Additionally, WolfQuest includes an optional co-op multiplayer mode where up to eight players can explore and hunt together in the wild.
Over its years in Early Access, WolfQuest has earned more than 9,000 Steam reviews, with an impressive 97% of them being positive. Still, the game isn’t without its flaws. Many players mention a steep learning curve, particularly regarding territory control, scent tracking and hunting strategy. The lack of in-depth tutorials makes the early stages more challenging than necessary. Performance issues and occasional bugs are also noted, and visually, the Unity-based simulation isn’t especially striking by modern standards. However, the overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests most players are willing to overlook these shortcomings.
One downside for new buyers: the full release did not launch with a discount. On Steam, WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition is currently listed at its regular price of $19.99.
