Monster Hunter Wilds – Review
OUR RATING: 9/10
Monster Hunter Wilds builds upon the foundation laid by Monster Hunter World, refining the formula that has made the series a global phenomenon. With its stunning visuals, improved gameplay mechanics, and a host of new features, this entry aims to please both veterans and newcomers alike. The moment you step into the Forbidden Lands, you’re immediately struck by the sheer scale and beauty of the environment. Capcom has outdone themselves with the level of detail and variety in the game’s biomes. From lush forests teeming with life to arid deserts swept by sudden sandstorms, each area feels distinct and alive.
What sets Monster Hunter Wilds apart from its predecessors is the dynamic weather system and changing seasons. As you progress through the game, you’ll witness environments transform before your eyes. A once-dry riverbed might suddenly become a raging torrent, while a barren plain could burst into bloom. This ever-changing landscape not only adds visual variety but also impacts gameplay in meaningful ways.
The Forbidden Lands are home to a diverse cast of creatures, both familiar and new. Longtime fans will recognize iconic monsters like Rathalos and Gore Magala, while newcomers will be introduced to an array of imaginative beasts. The attention to detail in monster design is truly impressive, with each creature exhibiting unique behaviors and adaptations to their environment.
At its core, Monster Hunter Wilds stays true to the series’ signature gameplay loop: prepare, hunt, craft, repeat. However, Capcom has introduced several quality-of-life improvements that streamline the experience without sacrificing depth.
One of the most notable additions is the Focus Mode, which allows hunters to target specific parts of a monster with greater precision. This new mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy to combat, as you can now deliberately aim for weak points or parts you need for crafting. The wound system complements this feature, allowing you to create vulnerable spots on monsters that can be exploited for massive damage.
The introduction of the Seikret mount is another game-changer. These avian creatures not only provide swift transportation across the vast landscapes but also serve as mobile supply stations. The ability to carry an extra weapon on your mount adds flexibility to your loadouts, allowing you to adapt to different situations on the fly.
Combat feels more fluid and responsive than ever, with each of the 14 weapon types offering a unique playstyle. Whether you prefer the raw power of the Great Sword or the agility of the Dual Blades, there’s a weapon to suit every hunter’s taste. The new Offset Attacks and Perfect Guards add depth to the combat system, rewarding skillful play with powerful counterattacks.
Monster Hunter Wilds is undoubtedly a visual spectacle, showcasing the capabilities of current-gen hardware. The level of detail in both monster and environment design is staggering, from the individual scales on a dragon’s hide to the way foliage reacts to your movement.
However, it’s worth noting that this visual fidelity comes at a cost. Some players, particularly on PC, have reported performance issues and frame rate drops. While these issues don’t significantly detract from the overall experience, they can be noticeable during intense battles or when traversing densely populated areas.
Monster Hunter has always been about the thrill of the hunt, and that experience is amplified when shared with friends. Monster Hunter Wilds continues this tradition with its robust multiplayer system, allowing up to four players to team up and take on challenges together.
The new Link Party feature aims to streamline the process of joining friends’ hunts, although it’s not without its quirks. While it does keep players connected through cutscenes, there can be some hiccups when transitioning from story moments to actual gameplay.
As with previous entries in the series, crafting and customization play a central role in Monster Hunter Wilds. The satisfaction of turning monster parts into powerful weapons and armor remains as addictive as ever. The game offers an impressive array of gear to craft, each with unique stats and visual designs that reflect the monsters they’re made from.
The layered armor system has been expanded, allowing for even greater customization of your hunter’s appearance. Now, when you craft a high-rank armor piece, it’s automatically added to your layered armor options, eliminating the need for separate crafting.
While Monster Hunter has never been known for its storytelling, Wilds attempts to weave a more cohesive narrative than its predecessors. The plot revolves around the mysterious White Wraith and its connection to the Forbidden Lands. While the story serves its purpose of guiding you through different areas and introducing new monsters, it falls short of being truly engaging.
The characters, while charming, lack significant development, and the plot often feels like a thin excuse to send you on your next hunt. However, this is unlikely to bother most players, as the real draw of Monster Hunter has always been the gameplay itself.
For many hunters, the real game begins after the credits roll. Monster Hunter Wilds doesn’t disappoint in this regard, offering a wealth of post-game content to keep players engaged. High Rank quests provide tougher challenges and better rewards, while the promise of future updates and potentially G-Rank expansions ensures longevity.
While Monster Hunter Wilds is a visual marvel, it’s not without its technical issues. The game’s use of the RE Engine, while allowing for stunning graphics, seems to struggle with the open environments and seamless transitions. This is particularly noticeable on PC, where players have reported inconsistent performance and high CPU usage.
Console players, particularly on PS5, seem to have a more stable experience. However, the occasional frame rate drop and texture pop-in can still occur, especially during intense battles or when traversing between areas.
One of the most notable changes in Monster Hunter Wilds is its approach to difficulty. The early hours of the game, particularly in Low Rank, feel significantly easier compared to previous entries. This change makes the game more approachable for newcomers but may leave veterans feeling unchallenged initially.
However, as you progress into High Rank and beyond, the difficulty ramps up considerably. The endgame content provides the challenge that longtime fans crave, with monsters that require strategy, skill, and proper gear preparation to overcome.
No Monster Hunter review would be complete without mentioning the soundtrack. The music in Wilds continues the series’ tradition of epic, orchestral scores that perfectly complement the action on screen. From the adrenaline-pumping battle themes to the more ambient tracks that accompany exploration, the soundtrack adds immensely to the overall atmosphere of the game.
Monster Hunter Wilds introduces several quality of life improvements that make the overall experience more enjoyable. The ability to eat meals and restock supplies at pop-up camps scattered throughout the map reduces downtime between hunts. The automatic collection of monster materials that fall during battle is a small but welcome change that keeps the action flowing.
The new quest system, which allows you to start hunts directly from the map or while out in the field, further streamlines the experience. This reduction in menu navigation and loading screens keeps you engaged in the world and focused on the hunt.
Despite its few shortcomings, Monster Hunter Wilds is a triumph that pushes the series forward in meaningful ways. The stunning visuals, refined gameplay mechanics, and wealth of content make it a must-play for fans of action RPGs and monster-slaying adventures.
For newcomers, this is the most accessible entry point to the series yet, with improved tutorials and a gentler difficulty curve in the early game. Veterans will find plenty to love in the expanded move sets, new monsters, and challenging endgame content.
While technical issues on PC and some storytelling weaknesses prevent it from being perfect, the core Monster Hunter experience has never been better. The thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of crafting new gear, and the joy of cooperating with friends to take down massive beasts are all here in abundance.
