Shelter 2 is similar to the original Shelter but here the player is in
control of a lynx and not a badger. The aim of the game is still to protect
four cubs but the environments are more open allowing the player to explore
the world more freely. As the player moves through the world the seasons and
weather change, from cold winters to rainy autumns.

The game starts with the mother being pregnant and having to run away from a
group of chasing wolves. Once having reached the safety of the den the cubs
are born and the player can name each of them. From then on the player’s main
task is to hunt down food such as rabbits, birds and deer and bring it to the
den. As they grow larger they will start following their mother out in the
wilderness and start catching their own prey until they are large enough to
move on on their own. Most animals are hunted by simply running after them
while some like the deer require jumping onto. The lynx has a stamina meter
and when its emptied it can not run until it recharges. To make it easier to
find food there is a smell function which when used shows the animals in red
against a grey background.

In the world there are also some predators that the player has to watch out
for or the cubs might get killed. This include wolves, bears, eagles and
foxes. Wolves for example appear on the tundra and when they do the player has
to find a plateau that the wolves can’t reach and jump onto it. If not the
player gets knocked out and when waking up again one of the cubs will be gone.
In addition to the predators there are also some environmental dangers to
watch out for, such as fog and fires.

Shelter 2 Special Edition