Monster Hunter Wilds offers a unique experience in the world of hunting and adventure, thanks to Capcom’s creativity and ability to develop and publish games. The company decided to bring back the classic spirit of the series but in a new way that combines tradition and innovation. The changes Capcom introduced aim to provide a gameplay experience that satisfies both long-time fans and newcomers with modern additions. But will these changes be the key to success, making the game fun and fresh, or will they negatively impact the series’ identity? Can the game satisfy players looking for both tradition and innovation? Let’s find out!

Story

Monster Hunter Wilds revolves around a grand adventure filled with legends and epic events in an ancient, abandoned world. The story begins when a boy named Nata is attacked by a powerful monster, forcing him to flee his village. He is later found unconscious and injured in a forbidden area known as the Forbidden Lands, a place no one has explored for over two thousand years and is shrouded in mystery.

A group of hunters, led by the former hunter Fabius, finds Nata, who tells them about a mysterious monster called the White Ghost that attacked his people. This monster was believed to be extinct, but after its reappearance, the team decides to embark on an expedition to uncover the truth and provide support to the affected region.

The player takes on the role of a newly promoted hunter whose main mission is to accompany Nata on his journey back to his homeland and protect him from the dangers they face. The player is also responsible for exploring the Forbidden Lands and dealing with the monsters that threaten the inhabitants. Along the way, they will meet many characters, each playing a crucial role in the unfolding events.

Gameplay

From the moment you start Monster Hunter Wilds, you’ll notice the innovative combat system and gameplay that immerses you in the heart of battle with smooth and dynamic combat. After over twenty years of delivering refined combat experiences in the series, this game introduces a new system that combines power and precision with great tactical freedom. In this version, players rely on a wide range of weapons, from the lance and great sword to the hammer and more. Each weapon has its unique feel, blending offense and defense, allowing players to choose a style that suits their personal strategy.

For example, the lance features innovative techniques like Instant Guard, which provides immediate protection when needed, and Shield Slam, which delivers powerful strikes that open up opportunities for timed double attacks. The new Focus Mode adds another layer, allowing players to target monster weak points by revealing wounds that appear during battle. These wounds not only indicate traditional weak spots but also open up opportunities for additional damage, making each encounter require careful study of the monster’s movements and strategic exploitation.

The combat system isn’t just about using weapons; it also extends to a skill customization system divided between weapons and armor. Offensive skills are specialized for weapons with specific combat identities, while armor focuses on general abilities and defensive skills. This division makes switching weapons a strategic challenge, as players must adjust their character’s build based on their chosen playstyle. Additionally, players can carry two weapons simultaneously thanks to the flying companion Seikret, adding an extra tactical dimension, especially in multiplayer modes. This feature not only changes the gameplay style but also allows players to stay mobile and act quickly without needing to stop to recover health or change settings.

This system is considered one of the most balanced in the series’ history, offering veterans the chance to delve into complex strategies while making it easier for beginners to jump into battles with continuous support that reduces the impact of mistakes and failed attempts.

Monster Hunter Wilds offers an open-world experience with interconnected maps that allow players to travel between diverse environments without returning to a traditional central city. The game has moved away from the old concept and instead relies on a series of connected biomes, keeping players always in hunting zones and enhancing the sense of being immersed in the game world. The biomes stand out with their massive size and dynamic features, such as the Crimson Forest, which boasts significant climatic diversity and intricate details.

The environments change with seasons and weather; the climate shifts, and so do the terrains, offering new experiences with each visit. For example, during the Fallow season, rivers and wetlands dry up, revealing red daytime beds and aggressive creatures searching for food, while the Plenty season transforms the environment into lush greenery with flowing water that brings life back to the land. These changes not only provide a renewed beauty to the world but also create new opportunities for hunting and interacting with monster behaviors, encouraging players to understand their habits and movement patterns as the environments change.

The variety of monsters is one of the main attractions in Monster Hunter Wilds. The game features around thirty unique monsters, with promises of adding more in future updates, such as the Mizutsune, which will appear in the free spring update. This variety isn’t just a number; it’s a diverse mix of monsters loved by series fans and new creatures that bring unexpected challenges and fresh energy to battles.

The monster designs are rich in detail; each monster is crafted with artistic precision, combining deep sounds and enchanting soundtracks that create a unique sensory experience. From agile monsters like Lala Barina, known for their speed and lightness, to massive creatures like Doshaguma, embodying raw strength and size. And let’s not forget the humorous touches; some monsters feature unexpected details, like a pink monkey-like creature with a satirical twist, adding a playful variety to the challenges.

A new strategic layer is added with the introduction of special monster states like Tempered, which increases their health and damage output, and Frenzied, which makes monsters attack faster and more ferociously. Each state requires players to use different tactics, carefully studying weaknesses and choosing the right weapons and strategies for each encounter.

Character building and skill customization are key aspects that add strategic depth to Monster Hunter Wilds. Players start by distributing skill points between weapons and armor, allowing them to develop their character according to their combat style. The new system shows greater balance compared to previous versions; it doesn’t just focus on increasing attack power but also includes defensive skills and accessories that improve overall performance.

The game offers a wide range of decorations and accessories that can be used to enhance combat abilities. Additionally, accessories like Charm Accessories are an important part of character building, as they provide extra points that players can allocate to defensive and offensive skills. This integrated system gives every player the opportunity to strategically plan their progression, making them better prepared to handle the various challenges in advanced stages.

One of the significant innovations in Monster Hunter Wilds is the introduction of the flying companion Seikret, which represents a qualitative leap in dealing with difficulties during battles. This feature continuously supports the player; if they take a heavy hit or fall during combat, Seikret quickly intervenes to pick them up and prevent the harsh penalties players faced in previous versions. Additionally, Seikret has a reserve of supplies that can be used at the right moment, whether for healing injuries or changing weapons and gear to match the demands of the encounter.

This feature has completely changed the pace of battles, as it gives players the freedom to continue fighting without needing to seek support or wait for long recovery periods. It also reduces the frustration that beginner players might feel, making the game more forgiving of mistakes and encouraging exploration without fear of significant losses.

Every monster encounter is a strategic lesson in itself, as players must constantly adapt their tactics. If they misjudge a monster’s weak point or use the wrong weapon for the encounter, they might find themselves needing to adjust their strategy on the fly. This dynamic gameplay adds a layer of realism and challenge that keeps the game vibrant and engaging for both veteran and beginner players.

Graphics and Technical Experience

From the moment you enter the world of Monster Hunter Wilds, you’ll notice technical issues that clearly affect the experience. At times, you’ll see scenes with stunning graphics that showcase the artistic design, but suddenly, other shots look much weaker, as if you’re switching between a modern game and something from an older generation.

On Xbox Series X, the performance mode sometimes runs the game smoothly at 60FPS, but suddenly, the performance drops sharply for no apparent reason. As for the graphics mode, it offers the best possible visual appearance, but the frame rate can drop below 30FPS, making the game less smooth, especially in moments requiring quick responses.

The user interface isn’t free from issues either, as the circular menu can sometimes be slow to respond, and there are errors in character positioning and map navigation. These problems highlight that the game needs strong updates to balance high graphics with smooth gameplay, ensuring a better and more stable experience.

Final Verdict

9/10

Monster Hunter Wilds offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation, and Capcom has managed to introduce strong improvements to the gameplay, making the experience more advanced and suitable for both veteran and new players. The dynamic open world, strategic combat system, and variety of monsters all enhance the game’s fun and immerse you in the adventure and hunting atmosphere. However, despite the new additions that make the world more vibrant and interactive, there are some technical issues, such as inconsistent graphics quality and unstable performance, which can affect the overall experience. That said, Monster Hunter Wilds is a bold step forward in presenting a new vision for the series, and with future updates, the game could become even stronger and more enjoyable.