Monster Hunter Wilds Review: A Wild Good Time

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The vast world of Monster Hunter Wilds drew me in with its bustling environments and awe-inspiring creatures, some of which made every effort to eliminate me. Given my familiarity with the series, I found myself even more grateful for the advancements Capcom introduced in Monster Hunter Wilds while still preserving the essence and fundamental elements that define Monster Hunter. Seasoned players will find a satisfying adventure that expands upon their existing knowledge, while novices are given an inviting gateway into the series. Monster Hunter Wilds propels the series forward like never before, seamlessly combining innovative gameplay mechanics, a touching narrative, and immersive gameplay.

As a seasoned gamer who’s sunk countless hours into Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter World, stepping into Monster Hunter Wilds as a fully-fledged Hunter felt refreshingly different. Instead of following the usual narrative where I start off as a novice Hunter, this game lets me dive headfirst into the action right away. The opening scenes even showcased my Hunter’s skills and the fact that I was handpicked for this mission, adding an extra layer of immersion to the experience.

In simpler terms, “Monster Hunter Wilds” builds upon both “Monster Hunter World” and “Monster Hunter Rise“. Its opening is designed to be welcoming, similar to “Monster Hunter World“. It might take a few hours for newcomers to fully grasp the game, but veterans of the series will find it easy to adapt to the new elements.

Among the fresh additions, the star of the show is Focus Mode. With Focus Mode, you can locate and exploit vulnerabilities on monsters, known as Wounds, and strike them precisely. This results in significant damage, momentarily stuns the monster, and dislodges components used for crafting gear. The ability to pinpoint Wounds and attack them enables players to fell monsters more effectively. Even if you’ve played Monster Hunter games before, Focus Mode makes it simpler than ever to engage with monsters, and I found myself using it as often as possible. Monster Hunter games have a reputation for being challenging to get into, but with Focus Mode, novice players will feel their attacks making a difference regardless of skill level.

One aspect of Monster Hunter Wilds that I truly appreciate is the handy helper known as Seikrets. Although they share some similarities with Palicos and Tailriders, Seikrets offer a unique advantage: they can automatically navigate towards their destination. This feature seamlessly integrates with the Slinger, allowing me to gather materials and enjoy the scenery without worrying about steering. In Monster Hunter Wilds, Seikrets play a significant role, contributing both to gameplay and storyline. During intense battles, it was incredibly useful to be able to mount my Seikret and swiftly traverse the battlefield while healing, sharpening my weapon, or changing equipment.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, you’ll focus on perfecting your weapon skills, using them to take down monsters, and enhancing your equipment for better performance. From the get-go, I was offered a choice of weapons, quickly gaining access to the second one. Having two weapons at my disposal enabled swift switches during combat, and I often switched between the Long Sword and Bow, finding a nice mix of close-quarters and long-range fighting. Both weapons delivered satisfying results throughout my adventure, and neither seemed significantly superior to the other. Experimenting with Monster Hunter Wilds’ other weapons left me with an impression of balance, as each weapon felt equally capable. In the end, I favored the Long Sword and Bow, as they aligned with my playstyle, but the variety of weapons available is impressive and caters to a wide range of preferences.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom has tailored each weapon so they all feel useful, even if some require a bit more learning. Newbies can start with the game using basic combos for every weapon, gradually mastering them as they progress. With practice, my proficiency in my chosen weapons increased, making it easier to hunt older monsters effectively and tackle tougher adversaries.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at Capcom’s mastery in crafting a diverse array of monsters for Monster Hunter World (MHW). Right from the starting region of MHW, there was no shortage of formidable foes to confront. It’s truly impressive how Capcom has resurrected many monsters from previous games and introduced brand-new ones exclusive to MHW. The design of these creatures is simply stunning, and the battles are nothing short of exhilarating. Each encounter presents a unique challenge, offering a different beast to conquer.

Mostly, I enjoyed battling every single monster (except for Congalala), and the game experience is superb, especially with diverse creatures like Temnocerans, Wyverns, Leviathans, Fanged Beasts, and others appearing in Monster Hunter Wilds. The diversity in their appearances and attack patterns left me astounded. I frequently had to switch my equipment and modify my strategies. I appreciated the ongoing challenge and the necessity to adjust when confronting specific monsters.

In the game “Monster Hunter Wilds,” the monsters play a significant role in the narrative, with Arkveldis serving as the key catalyst for Nata’s story and the hunter’s mission. Interestingly, while the story has not traditionally been the primary draw of the series, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I appreciated the storyline in “Monster Hunter Wilds.” A significant factor contributing to this enjoyment stems from the compelling characters within the Avis Unit. Characters like Alma and Gemma shine brightly in “MHW,” captivating me every time they appeared on screen. Initially, I had reservations about Nata, but as the game progressed, he grew on me, and I found myself supporting him throughout the adventure. The plot itself may have been straightforward, but the emotional moments scattered throughout kept me engaged and invested.

As I delved deeper into the game ‘Monster Hunter Wilds’, I journeyed through various unique areas, accomplishing tasks and battling beasts. These zones were intricately designed, with some featuring diverse ecosystems within a single locale. This gave the world a vivid, living feel as if it were a genuine ecological system. The majority of these changes occurred because of Seasons, which recur and cause significant transformations to both the terrain and monsters, particularly as you advance in the game and encounter varying weather patterns.

Although I could rave about Monster Hunter Worlds indefinitely, there are a few minor glitches. At times, the controls seemed less responsive, particularly when attempting to use a healing potion or status-removing item. Instead of my character reacting immediately, I found myself repeatedly pressing the button on my D-pad, only for him to remain motionless. Similarly, I called upon my Seikret to pursue a fleeing monster or switch weapons, but my mount often disregarded my call. In both situations, I was forced to keep pressing the input several times. Although these issues weren’t game-breaking, they did contribute to my defeat in one or two challenging battles.

One minor inconvenience lies in the poor angling experience found within Monster Hunter Wilds. Despite my excitement for this feature, as I’m a fan of fishing mechanics in games, my disappointment was evident upon casting my line into the water. The fish surrounding my hook seemed oblivious to its presence, continuously swimming past without so much as a glance. Although fishing isn’t the game’s primary draw, incorporating it and making it less enjoyable diminishes the overall appeal to such an extent that I find myself wishing it weren’t included at all. To add insult to injury, Capcom provides an alternative method for catching fish using the capture net, which is simpler but eliminates any sense of fulfillment.

The Monster Hunter Wilds game is simply fantastic, offering an unmatched level of enjoyment within the series. Capcom has mastered the Monster Hunter formula and combined it with the best visuals the franchise has ever seen. Although some controls can be awkward and unresponsive, I still consider it my preferred Monster Hunter title to date. With its abundance of charm and difficulty, Monster Hunter Wilds is shaping up to be one of the most extensive and content-rich games expected in 2025.

Rating: 4.5/5

The game titled “Monster Hunter Wilds” was critically assessed on the PlayStation 5 platform. For this appraisal, we were furnished with a copy of the game by its publishing company.

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2025-02-24 18:10