Monster Hunter Wilds review: A bigger, bolder, wilder World than ever

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In my opinion, playing Monster Hunter Rise reminds me greatly of Monster Hunter World from 2018. As the fifth mainline installment in the franchise, it seems more like an advancement rather than a radical change or complete overhaul from its predecessor. After all, both games have built upon the series’ roots on handheld devices and made the leap to more powerful hardware.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that while Wilds shares some similarities with World, it is not a carbon copy. Instead, it has been significantly enhanced in numerous ways, making the overall experience far more enjoyable and certainly worth your time.

A vibrant, evolving World

As a dedicated Monster Hunter gamer, I can’t get enough of the core combat – hacking and slashing those beasts – and the introduction of Focus Mode has only made it more thrilling! Landing Focus Strikes on the monsters’ vulnerable spots multiplies the fun. The sensation when I unleash a massive hammer blow or a swift dual dagger combo, causing deep wounds, is indescribable. With a quick press of L2 to aim and R1 to attack, I can then “break” these wounds for even more damage. It’s an exhilarating feeling that never gets old, regardless of the weapon type I choose from the game’s impressive arsenal of 14 options.

Using ideas from the game “Monster Hunter Rise,” the Seikret is an innovative mount that lets you ride and glide across the sprawling maps of “MH Wilds.” Unlike the canyne from “Rise,” the Seikret resembles a mix between a bird and a velociraptor. You can personalize its appearance, as well as your hunter’s and your Palico cat companion’s looks.

Exploring your Seikret-guided maps, offering smooth navigation, is consistently enjoyable. Regardless if you’ve ventured in the same locale previously, the landscapes transform with varying weather conditions, time, plant life, and wildlife. This makes revisiting to discover novel sights or overlooked aspects a rewarding endeavor.

Among the standout features of this game, one that truly shines is the ability to mount a second weapon on your Seikret and swiftly switch between them during battle. This element has added a layer of excitement as I’ve enjoyed experimenting with different weapon types based on the monster I’m encountering.

Occasionally, you might find yourself in need of a hammer to shatter a monster’s skull, while other times, switching to a greatsword or greataxe becomes essential to sever its tail for an upgrade. This diversity only enhances the thrill and complexity of embarking on these hunts.

By setting up moveable camps on your game map, you’ll have instant access to fast travel, making it easier than ever to jump back into the game. These camps are adjustable and responsive to the environment as well, with local wildlife even having the ability to destroy them. However, they can be easily rebuilt in a timely manner.

Wild’s World looks stunning and appealing, but the preview version had frustrating technical problems like texture glitches and significant frame rate drops, even on powerful computers. I’m optimistic that the finished product will run more smoothly as these issues seem to be an exception rather than the rule in this game.

As big as you want it to be

MH Wilds’ narrative isn’t particularly innovative or attention-grabbing, but it provides a solid foundation for the engaging gameplay mechanics. It offers a rationale for battling increasingly bizarre, larger, and powerful monsters as the tale unfolds. The choice of surname ‘Wilds’ is apt, given that the majority of the story revolves around you and your group exploring deeper into unexplored lands to discover new monsters, resources, and even new people. However, the game doesn’t fully come alive until you’ve completed the main storyline.

When the story concludes in MH Wilds, that’s when the main event, or the endgame, starts. I haven’t even touched upon all the endgame activities yet, especially with friends, but High Rank missions return, offering a plethora of fresh gear to acquire and enhance as you battle an extensive list of both novel and returning monsters.

As the challenge intensifies, you’ll encounter various versions of monsters you’ve previously faced as well as brand-new ones. Plus, with upcoming seasonal updates introducing fresh monsters, beginning with Mizutsune in the initial post-release update this spring, there will always be something new to discover. Keep in mind that announcements for additional content such as Monster Hunter World’s Iceborne or Rise’s Sunbreak DLC may surface within a year or so.

It’s possible that some gamers might complete the story and prepare for their next game, yet I suspect that many will find themselves captivated by the game mechanics and eager to upgrade their equipment. Consequently, it seems plausible that they would delve deeper into High Rank and beyond, potentially investing over 100 hours in the process.

Newcomers to Monster Hunter should be aware that its control scheme can take getting used to, as it’s distinct from most other action games. The fighting combos might seem unusual at first, but I found myself needing to re-learn them even after investing hundreds of hours in MH World. Don’t abandon the game too quickly; stick with it and practice, because the pleasure it offers is definitely worth the effort.

Repetition for emphasis

Have you ever come across the idea of “repetition for emphasis” in literature? It’s a technique often used in poetry and speeches to underscore a point by repeatedly using the same words, sounds, or phrases. In essence, Monster Hunter is similar, as it encourages players to repeat missions and battles with monsters to emphasize that the core gameplay mechanic revolves around grinding for better equipment, particularly in High Rank.

Frequently, you’ll find yourself in need of multiple parts from defeated monsters for upgrading both your armor and weaponry, enabling you to conquer whatever challenges lie ahead. Additionally, it’s essential to craft a variety of weapons, some with improved critical hit rates and elemental effects, to successfully defeat all the monsters you encounter.

In essence, it’s a recurring pattern, yet incredibly effective within this game due to the captivating combat and exploration experiences. For acquiring resources in the wild, which has become more effortless than before, you can now use the Hook Slinger to snag items from afar instead of having to get close to them.

In Monster Hunter World (MH Wilds), the process of earning gear upgrades is never dull, instead it feels enjoyable. If you prefer not to tackle these tasks solo, simply send an SOS Flare for help. You can invite up to three other players or NPCs to join your battle. The game ensures that you’re never isolated unless you choose to be so, and that’s perfectly fine as well.

When you jump into the world of MH Wilds, you can count on enjoying similar exciting, addictive monster-hunting battles. This game encourages resource gathering, extensive character customization, exploration, and endless treasure hunting, all while offering further content with upcoming free updates and a potential expansion down the line. For me, it’s already shaping up to be a strong contender for Game of the Year.

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2025-02-24 18:24