The Monster Hunter franchise has carved a unique niche in the gaming world, offering a blend of exhilarating combat, intricate crafting systems, and captivating monster designs. With each iteration, Capcom has refined the formula, pushing the boundaries of the action RPG genre. Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment, arrives with high expectations, promising to be the most ambitious and polished entry yet. After an extensive 47-hour hunting spree, reaching Hunter Rank 86 and delving deep into the endgame content, I’m ready to share my comprehensive analysis of Monster Hunter Wilds. This review will dissect every aspect of the game, from its combat mechanics and narrative depth to its visual presentation and overall polish, providing a detailed perspective for both seasoned hunters and newcomers alike.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter games have traditionally focused on the thrill of the hunt, often relegating the narrative to a secondary role. However, Monster Hunter Wilds takes a significant step forward in storytelling, weaving a compelling narrative that complements the core gameplay loop. The game opens with Capcom’s renowned character creator, allowing players to craft their hunter with meticulous detail. You’re swiftly thrust into a world brimming with intrigue, embarking on a quest to investigate the mysteries surrounding an extinct monster and a lost civilization in the Forbidden Lands.
The narrative unfolds through a series of chapters, missions, and beautifully crafted cutscenes, offering a more structured and engaging experience than previous entries. You’re accompanied by a diverse cast of characters, including the resourceful smith Gemma, the ever-supportive handler Alma, and the enigmatic young boy Nata, a Keeper from the lost civilization. Longtime fans will appreciate the nods to previous games, such as the appearance of Fabius, the Ace Lancer from Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, now a seasoned Guild veteran.
While the story still grapples with some inherent dissonance, particularly the locals’ over-the-top praise for your hunting prowess, the overarching themes of ecological balance and humanity’s place in the natural world resonate effectively. The extra effort invested in the narrative presentation pays dividends, creating a more immersive and emotionally engaging experience.
The heart and soul of any Monster Hunter game lies in its combat, and Monster Hunter Wilds delivers the most refined and satisfying combat system in the series’ history. The game boasts a diverse roster of nearly three dozen monsters, with more slated for future updates. This menagerie of creatures includes reimagined fan favorites alongside a host of innovative new monsters, each possessing unique behaviors, attack patterns, and weaknesses.
The monster designs are simply breathtaking, ranging from nimble and agile predators to colossal behemoths that dominate the landscape. The sound design is equally impressive, with each monster’s roars, growls, and screeches creating an immersive and terrifying soundscape. The balance between different monster types is also commendable, with a healthy mix of wyverns, fanged beasts, leviathans, and other classifications, ensuring a varied and challenging hunting experience.
The combat itself is a masterclass in action game design. Each of the 14 weapon types feels distinct and impactful, offering a unique playstyle that caters to different preferences. The lance, my personal favorite, has undergone a significant overhaul, transforming it into a powerhouse of defensive offense. The new instant-guard mechanic allows for precise counterattacks, while the enhanced combos and shield slams provide a satisfying sense of weight and power. The great sword, hammer, and other weapons have also received significant improvements, making them feel more fluid and responsive than ever before.
The introduction of Focus Mode adds another layer of depth to the combat. This mechanic allows hunters to target specific body parts, inflicting wounds that can be exploited for increased damage. It’s a welcome addition that encourages strategic targeting and adds a dynamic element to each encounter.
The crafting system in Monster Hunter Wilds remains a core component of the gameplay loop, allowing players to forge powerful weapons and armor from the materials gathered from defeated monsters. However, the game introduces a significant change to the skill system, separating weapon skills from armor skills. Weapon skills are now directly tied to the weapons themselves, while armor primarily provides generalist, utility, and defensive skills.
This new system has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it simplifies the process of trying out new weapons, as you don’t need to craft an entirely new armor set. It also gives weapons a stronger sense of identity, as each weapon comes with its own unique set of skills. However, it also limits the flexibility of build crafting, making it more difficult to create highly specialized builds.
The decoration system has also been revamped, with decorations now being weapon- or armor-exclusive. While this system makes it easier to acquire specific decorations, it further restricts the possibilities for build customization. Despite these limitations, the crafting system remains engaging and rewarding, offering a tangible sense of progression as you acquire and upgrade your gear.
Monster Hunter Wilds introduces the Seikret, a majestic avian mount that serves as your primary mode of transportation across the vast and diverse landscapes. The Seikret not only allows for swift traversal but also provides a unique tactical advantage during hunts. You can call upon your Seikret to quickly reposition yourself, escape from dangerous situations, or even swap weapons mid-hunt.
While the Seikret is a welcome addition, its implementation is not without its flaws. The auto-pathing can sometimes be unreliable, leading your Seikret to crash into walls or get stuck in awkward positions. Additionally, the weapon-swapping mechanic, while intriguing, feels somewhat clunky and unnecessary in most situations. A more streamlined method of swapping weapons would significantly enhance this feature.
Despite its many strengths, Monster Hunter Wilds is not without its shortcomings. The game suffers from a number of UI and UX annoyances that can detract from the overall experience. The radial menu can feel unresponsive at times, and the Seikret’s summoning can be delayed. Important NPCs can wander off, making them difficult to locate, and map notifications can sometimes interfere with navigation.
The game also exhibits some minor technical issues. I encountered a few instances of camera or environment hitches that obscured the action, and some monster spawns are located far from the nearest camp, requiring lengthy and tedious runs. The cooldowns on the wearable mantles, which provide temporary bonuses, do not reset after each hunt, limiting their usefulness.
Despite these minor flaws, Monster Hunter Wilds is a triumph. It represents the pinnacle of the Monster Hunter series, delivering the most refined and engaging combat system, a captivating narrative, and a stunning world to explore. The game’s diverse roster of monsters, intricate crafting system, and innovative gameplay mechanics provide countless hours of enjoyment. While some UI and UX issues and the revised skill system hold it back from perfection, Monster Hunter Wilds is an early contender for game of the year.
Monster Hunter Wilds is a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike. It’s a testament to Capcom’s dedication to refining and evolving the Monster Hunter formula, delivering an experience that is both exhilarating and deeply rewarding. I eagerly anticipate the future updates and expansions that will undoubtedly further enhance this already exceptional game.
