Though its gameplay isnt a radical departure from its predecessor, it streamlines nearly every aspect to perfection.
This is the ultimate monster-hunting experience for series veterans and newcomers alike.
This helps the games fantasy setting feel richer and more involved, which serves to draw you in further.
I sunk close to 300 hours into Monster Hunter Worlds and its Iceborne expansion.
That said, I can see myself devoting even more time to Monster Hunter Wilds.
Its a better version of Monster Hunter Worlds and is already my frontrunner for the game of the year.
Find out why in my full review!
Monster Hunter Wilds follows suit, featuring even larger environments.
The games regions go through two distinct seasons called Fallow and Plenty, with an intermediate period called Inclemency.
Inclemency usually consists of heavy rains or sandstorms.
Every season has different monsters, which adds to the games replayability.
This is a big change from Monster Hunter World, which lacked already established settlements.
The different cultures, dynamic seasons and varied ecology make for a rich game world to get absorbed in.
you’ve got the option to ride mounts called Seikret to traverse the lands.
On that note, you could create pop-up camps across the maps that serve as fast travel points.
Monsters can and will destroy your camps in more dangerous locations but you might always rebuild them.
I enjoyed the stark contrasts between the available environments.
Focus Mode is an all-new ability that lets you aim your attacks and blocks with greater accuracy.
Said NPCs get replaced when a real player decides to join your hunt, which is a great feature.
Speaking of monsters, there is a greater variety in Wilds, and not just in terms of numbers.
Whereas the majority of monsters in Monster Hunter World were reptilian (dinosaurs, lizards, dragons, etc.
), Wilds has beasties inspired by the entire animal kingdom.
There are furry mammals, creepy arthropods, slithering cephalopods, and some monsters that combine multiple traits.
It wouldnt be a Monster Hunter game without the ability to customize and upgrade your weapons and armor.
During the endgame, youll gain access to additional resources that let you further customize and optimize your gear.
It never gets old.
In fact, its super addictive.
Hunting monsters still drives the narrative forward, but its refreshing to have characters you actually care about.
He fled his village after it was attacked by a vicious monster called The White Wraith.
Beauty and the Beast
I have no complaints about Monster Hunter Wilds gameplay and deep system mechanics.
Unfortunately, I dont share that same level of enthusiasm for the games visual fidelity.
While this is certainly not an ugly-looking game, the graphical inconsistencies are hard to ignore.
I played on a PS5 Pro, which offers three graphical tweaks.
Fidelity favors 4K resolution at 30 frames per second while Performance offers 60 fps at 1080p resolution.
Balanced is a middle ground that delivers 1440p resolution and ray tracing at 40 fps.
If you have a PS5 Pro, Balanced is the way to go since you get a decent compromise.
For regular PS5 users, stick with Fidelity mode unless you enjoy looking at muddy environmental textures.
The game has lobbies and Link Parties.
However, if you want to directly connect with friends, it’ll require some work.
In short, youll need to send Link Party invites to your friends through your platforms web connection.
While that’s appreciated, an easier way to connect with friends would’ve been better.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Verdict
Monster Hunter Wilds sets a new standard for Capcoms long-running series.
Hunting monsters never gets old and neither does exploring each land.
Like its predecessor, I expect this game will be a monster hit with dedicated Monster Hunter fans.
Theres more I can say about Monster Hunter Wilds, particularly its phenomenal endgame content.
But I want you to experience it for yourself since my words cant do this incredible game justice.
Capcom clearly went out of its way to bring us one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences possible.
