Monster Hunter Wilds proves there’s power in numbers

Monster Hunter Wilds proves there's power in numbers

As a seasoned Monster Hunter veteran with over a thousand hours under my belt, I’ve hunted more beasts than I can count. But let me tell you, dear reader, Monster Hunter Wilds has taken the series to a whole new level. The Forbidden Lands are a thrilling, perilous landscape that demands strategy and teamwork like never before.


In a universe pitting humans against monstrous creatures, our future has never seemed more perilous. The forthcoming Monster Hunter Wilds sees us venturing into unexplored lands, where each hunt carries an unfamiliar thrill. Recenty, Shacknews got the chance to test-drive this highly anticipated game for the first time. During our playtime, we discovered that teamwork is crucial.

In the demo for Monster Hunter Wilds, it’s divided into two sections. The initial segment emphasizes story and tutorial elements. The narrative of Monster Hunter Wilds revolves around humans exploring the Prohibited Territories. A boy, who claims to be from this area, was the one who first alerted the player’s colony about this legendary region. The boy managed to escape a fierce monster by fleeing through an underground passage, but in pursuit, the monster caved in the tunnel. This monster is believed to be the mythical White Wraith, thought to have been eradicated long ago. The human settlement is following the boy’s trail in search of the White Wraith, only to discover that the Forbidden Lands hold far greater perils.

Monster Hunter Wilds proves there's power in numbers

In this scenario, trouble arises when a group of Balahara are seen chasing a young girl on a Seikret. A player-hunter, in a bid to assist, climbs onto their own Seikret and wards off the Balahara using a sling. Once they’ve mastered riding the Seikret and saving the girl, she requests help locating her missing brother.

It’s been discovered that her brother has found himself in a tricky situation with the elusive, amphibious creature known as Chatacabra. This creature attacks from afar, using its long tongue and harmful saliva. However, it can be weakened by ranged attacks from tools like the Heavy Bow. Once the Chatacabra is injured, the player is given an option to send out a distress signal, summoning AI-controlled hunters for assistance. After successfully subduing the Chatacabra, it became apparent that strategic numbers would play a significant role in Monster Hunter Wilds.

As I dove back into the game during the demo, a sense of deja vu washed over me. You see, at Summer Game Fest, I watched as Capcom developers chased down an elusive Alpha Doshaguma. Now, it was my turn to join the hunt. It was time for me to track down the Alpha Doshaguma myself!

Initially, the Capcom team made monster hunting appear effortless, but I only had a set of tutorials to guide me at the start. In the initial part of the demo, I could choose my preferred weapon, but the second part unexpectedly equipped me with a Great Sword and a Light Bowgun. Upon encountering the Alpha Doshaguma, the battle began in full swing, leaving me too engrossed to switch weapons. So, I charged into combat with the Great Sword, only to discover a significant challenge: The Alpha Doshaguma wasn’t fighting solo; it was accompanied by a group of smaller Doshagumas.

Triumph in Monster Hunter Wilds relies on numerical superiority, which involves arriving with support and separating the enemy forces. Alpha monsters usually have lesser minions accompanying them. If these numbers are not managed, the player can quickly become overwhelmed. To break up these numbers, players are advised to launch Large Dung Pods using their sling. The foul stench of monster waste is potent enough to disperse the group, isolating the alpha and making it vulnerable.

Time for more hunters to join us! The SOS flare will be extremely useful for solo hunters, as it summons AI hunters who can provide assistance in numerous ways. They can either deliver heavy attacks or serve as distractions while you strategize your own offensive. Furthermore, these NPC hunters can also assist in setting traps to make the target weaker.

Overcoming an Alpha Doshaguma is no easy feat, even with additional aid. The terrain’s constant shifts don’t make things easier, and the weather can turn against you in a heartbeat during combat. I’ve seen bushes spontaneously form around me, potentially becoming a flammable hazard. In various instances, sudden thunderstorms would break out, requiring me to be extra cautious while navigating my Seikret to avoid lightning strikes.

In a land shrouded with mystery, known as The Forbidden Lands, reside various beasts, some of which may prove beneficial or detrimental. During the Summer Game Fest demonstration, I observed that the developers encountered a formidable creature – later identified as a Rey Dau. This electrifying winged beast can pose a significant threat with its electric discharge. As the developers found themselves under the Rey Dau’s watchful gaze, I managed to evade its attention. Unfortunately, the Alpha Doshaguma did not share my luck and was struck with immense damage after an attack from the Rey Dau, losing thousands of hit points almost instantly. The wounded Alpha limped away, leaving a trail of potential focus points for additional damage due to its multiple injuries.

Initially, the Capcom developers pulled down the alpha after just 25 minutes. However, I managed to bring it down in only 13 minutes, primarily due to a lucky Rey Dau attack and some aid from Balahara. Similar to the developers, I defeated the alpha near another smaller Doshaguma, which turned hostile and attacked my team, despite the hunt being over.

1. Monster Hunter Wilds promises to deliver an exhilarating adventure, one that will undoubtedly spawn amusing stories for colleagues. The Seikret feature, enabling groups to track wounded beasts, enhances the gameplay significantly. Despite the abundance of details (and it seems I’ve only scratched the surface based on the videos), it’s still feasible to dive in, engage in a monster hunt, and enjoy the experience. Monster Hunter Wilds is set for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2025.

Based on my personal hands-on experience with an early version of the PS5 at a press event in Los Angeles, CA, I must say that what I played was quite impressive. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the final product may still undergo changes before its release. As someone who has been following the evolution of video games for many years, I can confidently say that the PS5 is shaping up to be a game-changer in the industry, but only time will tell if it lives up to the hype.

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2024-08-24 16:28