Capcom Must Be Holding So Much Back For Future Monster Hunter Wilds Updates

If you’ve completed Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak already, you might have been taken aback by its conclusion, as it doesn’t offer the usual extensive post-game content that other Monster Hunter games are known for. Unlike previous titles like World and Rise, there isn’t a lengthy grind for endgame challenges, armor collections, or weapon crafting. Instead, you’ll find a brief post-storyline focusing on frenzied monsters and a new crafting system related to tempered monsters, but it’s not as expansive as the post-game content in previous games.

In the six years since Monster Hunter World debuted, I must confess my anticipation for Wilds was higher. Despite the enjoyable experience I had in the Forbidden Lands, it seems that adventure has come to an end quicker than expected. The only explanation that makes sense is that Capcom may be saving a significant amount of content for future updates after launch. Although this practice is common with Monster Hunter games, Wilds feels like it started without all its intended components.

A Monster Hunter Launch is Just The Beginning

It’s important to keep in mind that Monster Hunter World isn’t the same game it was when it debuted in 2016. Over time, through updates, patches, crossovers, and most significantly, the expansion Iceborne, the game has evolved into the one we cherish today.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the transformation we’re seeing in this game didn’t begin with Iceborne. It wasn’t with the Witcher mission, the Horizon Zero Dawn gear, or the Behemoth raid from Final Fantasy 14 that sparked it. Not even Deviljho was there at the start! Comparing the Wilds to the world of today seems unfair, given how far we’ve come. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the Wilds will receive the same incredible post-launch support as the World did, and maybe even more!

Initially released on consoles a year ago, both “World” and “Rise” followed up with a full year’s worth of additional content post-launch before appearing on PC. Consequently, those who play on PC might find the smaller scope of “Wild” at its launch particularly disappointing.

Despite accounting for inflation, Wilds falls short compared to World in terms of content. The most significant absence is that of elder dragons – a type of monster not found in Wilds at all. In contrast, World’s post-campaign focus revolved around hunting tempered elder dragons for decorations and materials, which were noticeably tougher than anything Wilds can provide. Once you’ve completed the storyline in Wilds, there isn’t much left to strive for other than amassing equipment for its own sake.

At its initial release, Wilds boasts only 29 monsters compared to World’s 37 and Rise’s 46. This means it offers fewer diverse creatures and fewer thrilling, memorable encounters. For instance, players of World may never forget the shock of Bazelgeuse’s debut, as it rained down attacks during a hunt, or the awe-inspiring sight of Teostra sauntering across the Wildspire Waste. As of now, Wilds doesn’t seem to provide many such exhilarating moments – but who knows what surprises the future may hold!

What’s Next For Monster Hunter Wilds

Through a recent tweet, the Monster Hunter account confirmed that Wilds’ record-breaking sale of eight million copies in its first three days marks only the start of the next chapter for Monster Hunter. In the near future, we can anticipate some exciting developments. To begin with, two event quests are already planned, offering players new equipment. Furthermore, Title Update 1 in April will introduce the challenging monster Mizutsune at a level beyond tempered, along with a new gathering hub. These additions hint at significant updates for Wilds throughout this year. Although not officially confirmed, it’s reasonable to speculate that a DLC similar in scale to Iceborne or Sunbreak might be released in 2026 as well.

Is there a chance that fans will continue to follow the game’s development? The Monster Hunter series is well-known for its slow release cycles, and even waiting a month for a new monster is quite demanding. Since the launch of World in 2016, the gaming industry has undergone significant changes. If Capcom can’t keep up with the live-service update pace for Wilds, it may experience a substantial drop in players, even though it set new sales records during its first weekend.

For many gamers, it’s not much of an issue. Those who will try, enjoy, and eventually move on from Monster Hunter Wilds within a week are likely to return for another journey when the expansion launches. However, for those of us who relish the grind, I have concerns that Wilds might fall short in the long run, particularly compared to the content abundance that was Monster Hunter World.

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2025-03-08 12:47