Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2011

Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2011 is a hunting video game published by Activision in conjunction with Cabela's for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii. It was released in the U.S. for the DS, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 and for the Wii on October 26, 2010; special editions of the game were released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii that same day bundled with the Top Shot Elite wireless hunting controller. It was released in Europe and Australia in 2011.^[2][3][4][5] The game's story features the character Cole Rainsford, who, along with his father, are on an African safari to hunt dangerous possessed animals that are terrorizing locals.^[6][7] The plot and script for the game was written by the screenwriter Brad Santos.^[7] Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2011 also features shooting galleries as well as multi-level multiplayer modes.^[8] This game had an additional re-release for the Nintendo Wii titled Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2011: Special Edition, which included an exclusive optional "cell-shaded animation mode". The game received mixed reviews from critics.

In 1982, Samson Rainsford, Mbeki, and his friend search a cave in Uganda for the mysterious "Kaftar", believed to be a demon that could only be destroyed by fire. During the hunt, Samson and Mbeki's friend are attacked by the Kaftar. Mbeki shoots it, but the bullet takes no effect. Mbeki's friend sees the creature attacking Samson and makes a run for the exit but the Kaftar strikes him.

In 2001, Samson trains his son Cole to hunt in Alaska. After Cole kills a bull Roosevelt elk, the group tracks a rogue grizzly bear when an avalanche separates Cole from Samson and his younger brother Adrian. He survives, crawls out from the debris and continues to track down the bear into the night. Then, Cole fights the grizzly bear and kills it. Adrian shows up and compliments him when a pack of black wolves with glowing red eyes burst out of nowhere and attack Cole and Adrian. Adrian is mauled to death as Cole watches helplessly.

After ten years later of not speaking to his father, Cole—now a professional big-game hunter—decides to join Samson and Mbeki in Uganda to hunt the Kaftar. A hippopotamus knocks over the boat they are in, separating Cole from Mbeki and Samson. Cole finds Mbeki, and the two encounter increasingly aggressive wildlife, which villagers attribute to the Kaftar’s influence. Mbeki is wounded and later abandons Cole.

Cole eventually finds Mbeki in a ruined research facility where the “Nightfall Program” had attempted to study and replicate the Kaftar’s ability to control animals before the creature escaped. After Mbeki dies from his injuries, Cole enters nearby caves and reunites with Samson. Samson tells his son to follow him to the exit, but he steps on a land mine on the way. Pursued by hyenas seemingly controlled by the Kaftar, Cole escapes to Samson’s cabin. There he confronts the Kaftar, revealed to be a large hyena-like creature. Cole traps and subdues it inside the burning cabin before attempting to escape.

Destructoid called the game's box art ridiculous.^[16] A preview from GameSpot describes the game as "survival game first and a hunting game second", that players must fend off dangerous animals that stalk them as well as face various environmental hazards.^[6] A preview from UGO says that the change of numbering in the series from sequel numbers to years makes the series look like it's copying the Madden NFL franchise. However, the preview said that the game was successful in creating terrifying effects which included fearsome animals in dark environments, and that it featured a well-constructed shooting gallery mode.^[17] Another preview from Destructoid said that the game had more of a Resident Evil feel with the presence of large wolves. They add that the game's intentionally sensitive controls add to the survival-horror gameplay environment, in which hunters normally need to remain still while surrounded by hordes of beasts. The preview also praises the Top Shot Elite for its smooth handling and for its inclusion of an infrared scope, which it says adds to the level of realism to the gameplay.^[18] David Scammell of Gamerzines described the game as 'awesome m8' and cited the Top Shot Elite as the forty third best peripheral of 2011.^[19]

This game works with PlayStation Move.^[20]