Monster Hunter Wilds Review — Brave New World

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I became quite thrilled when offered the chance to preview Monster Hunter Wilds. At first, I was uncertain about playing it outside my work, but the prospect of getting an early sneak peek at the game rekindled memories of my past experiences with Monster Hunter: World, my introduction to the series. Although I encountered certain issues with Monster Hunter: World, I still enjoyed the game immensely and anticipated that Monster Hunter Wilds would essentially offer more of the same. However, I was taken aback to find that every issue I had with World has been rectified in Monster Hunter Wilds, a game that could potentially surpass the original and be a near-flawless experience.

One notable enhancement that sets Monster Hunter Wilds apart from other games in the franchise is its pace.

I remember Monster Hunter: World quite vividly, although it’s been a while since I last played it. The main attraction of any Monster Hunter game lies undoubtedly in its epic monster-hunting battles. However, what makes these fights so enticing can be overshadowed by an abundance of tutorials, additional missions, or fetch tasks that often seem more like filler content intended to extend the gameplay time rather than contribute significantly to the overall experience.

It came as quite a surprise when I looked at my playtime for Monster Hunter Wilds and found out that after seven hours of gameplay, there were no side quests or additional content other than optional hunting missions I had chosen to accept. The rhythm of Monster Hunter Wilds is such that you’ll find yourself in one battle after another, with each mission introducing a new monster. Unlike some games, it doesn’t have you fetching items like honey or spending time learning camp mechanics. Instead, the parts of the game dedicated to character development are concise, either through short cutscenes or quick segments leading to more action.

Playing this game offers a wonderfully invigorating experience, maintaining a consistent rhythm that makes it feel like minutes are passing by instead of hours. Although side quests and essential preparation stages for your hunter are still present, they’re designed in such a way that they can be skipped if desired, allowing the main storyline and action to remain the primary focus without interruption.

The narrative was quite captivating as well. Typically, you don’t play Monster Hunter games for their stories; but Monster Hunter Wilds surprised me with its plot. Although I often found myself fast-forwarding through cutscenes and dialogues, the tale of the White Wraith and Nata held my attention effectively.

In Monster Hunter Rise, not only the storyline and speed have been enhanced, but also the core mechanics that make the Monster Hunter series popular.

As a dedicated Monster Hunter gamer, let me tell you, one game-changing feature that’s really elevated my gaming experience is the new Focus Mode. In previous games, if I wanted to switch up my attack direction, I had to halt my movement, turn around, and then attack in the direction my character was facing. Frankly, it was a bit of a hassle, and I know I’m not alone in feeling that way. But with Focus Mode, I can now pinpoint my attacks with precision! My hunter automatically adjusts to face the direction of my camera when this mode is activated, making it a breeze to hit those pesky monsters. It’s a game-changer, for sure!

Focus mode is designed primarily for capitalizing on the game’s newly implemented wound system. In combat against monsters, wounds will appear once they’ve sustained enough damage, and attacking these wounded areas in focus mode inflicts additional harm. Destroying these wounds causes the monster to stumble, and you’ll receive rewards in the form of monster components. This mechanic brings a more Monster Hunter-esque experience when defeating these large, imposing enemies, and I can hardly imagine playing Monster Hunter without it now that I’ve used it.

In the latest version of Monster Hunter Wilds, mounts have reappeared, boasting enhancements. They no longer just provide swift movement across the game map; they also function as a portable inventory that can be accessed during battles. This feature allows players to swap out items like potions or equipment, sharpen weapons on-the-go, and even carry a second weapon and switch between them during combat. This feature significantly boosts gameplay and adds another layer of convenience to the Monster Hunter series, making it challenging to return to previous games after experiencing this upgrade. Monster Hunter Wilds brings about positive changes that are hard to ignore.

To alleviate any concerns about performance during the beta phase, rest assured that Monster Hunter Wilds performs exceptionally well in its initial update. With all settings set to ultra, I achieved a consistent 120+ frames per second, enjoyed swift loading times, and encountered no visual glitches or lagging. In essence, the game runs smoothly and boasts stunning visuals, making it challenging to tear myself away and write this review.

In my viewpoint, Monster Hunter Wilds stands out as the top game in the series for me. It preserves all the beloved features that long-time franchise fans enjoy, while at the same time trimming down a considerable amount of complexity, making it much more inviting for beginners. This game managed to grab my focus and hold it tightly, unlike any other game I’ve played recently, and has swiftly made its way onto my list of favorites.

The Final Word

Monster Hunter Wilds left me pleasantly surprised, enhancing aspects that I had criticized while maintaining elements I enjoyed from previous games. In all respects, Monster Hunter Wilds has made significant strides, making it likely to win over both newcomers to the series and seasoned veterans alike.

Try Hard Guides was provided a PC review copy for this Monster Hunter Wilds. Find more detailed looks at popular and upcoming titles on our Game Reviews page! Monster Hunter Wilds is available on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

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2025-02-24 18:08