Monster Hunter Wilds Review – A Hunter’s Dream

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After a long hiatus without a primary Monster Hunter game, I can now exhale with relief and say, at last. While I certainly didn’t dislike World or Rise, I’ve invested countless hours into the former, and I still occasionally play it for a brief hunt, serving as an odd lullaby for me. However, nothing will ever surpass the thrill of a new Monster Hunter game launching. You might think Monster Hunter Wilds is just World with a fresh coat of paint, but you’d be mistaken. Wilds isn’t merely an enhanced, visually appealing, and more engrossing Monster Hunter title – it’s the epitome of monster hunting, and Capcom has graciously served it to us on a silver platter.

Licensed to Hunt

In the games World and Rise, it was the plot that didn’t linger much with me. Don’t get me wrong; there were some truly spectacular scenes, ones that made my jaw drop quicker than a group of Bazelguese bombs being detonated. However, as I reflect on these stories, I found myself more captivated by the prospect of the next hunt. Each time I gazed at the narrative, I saw my character and Palico, and my response was always: “Alright, who’s up next?” The Wilds addresses this issue head-on by offering an exceptional storyline and, above all, the most impressive and badass depiction of our hunter yet.

Immediately, Monster Hunter Wilds makes it clear that you’re not a novice hunter. Instead, you’re like a character from an action film who receives a dangerous assignment between missions. You, along with other seasoned monster hunters, embark on a journey to the Forbidden Lands to investigate the White Wraith, a beast responsible for attacking Nata’s village. The basic Monster Hunter formula remains consistent: you watch a cutscene, encounter a new monster, hunt it, and advance the storyline. However, Capcom has introduced an unexpected twist to this formula by infusing an old-school RPG feel into the gameplay. To clarify further…

In most RPGs, whether they’re classic or modern, especially those with high fantasy themes, you play as a protagonist embarking on an adventure with a group of companions. The game ‘Wilds’ captures this concept perfectly. Unlike some games where you might be alone or just have your Handler to keep you company, in ‘Wilds’, you’re accompanied by a diverse team. Among them are Olivia, a hunter from another unit, Gemma, the skilled blacksmith who’s known for her work on Steam’s dating sim games, and your friendly and helpful Palico, along with many others you’ll encounter during your journey.

Instead of focusing on the expanding roster of personalities, it’s the thrilling sense of exploration that captures you as you journey through the Forbidden Lands. Unlike before, there is no central location like Astera. Instead, you establish a base camp in each region and set up smaller camps as checkpoints. Despite the lack of a central hub, the feeling of discovery as you move from one place to another is palpable. You immerse yourself in their unique cultures and interactions. They share their struggles and solutions to the threats they face. These elements greatly enhance the immersive world-building, a dimension we’ve only glimpsed during hunts, but seldom experienced within the narrative before.

To conclude, our protagonist, the hunter, is more than just a supporting character. Capcom has done an exceptional job in developing him, making him stand out rather than mere puppet to commands. He’s not a novice hunter who stumbled into something greater than himself. Instead, he’s one of the best, and everyone around him acknowledges this. Certain scenes where my hunter spoke and acted sent shivers down my spine. Combine this with the seamless gameplay of Wilds, and we have a plot that stands out among the franchise’s offerings.

Size Definitely Matters

Regardless of the narrative, I understand that many enthusiasts are here for the hunting experience, and luckily, there are numerous ways to engage in it. Notably, weapons from both World and Rise have made a comeback in Monster Hunter Wilds, but they come with fresh mechanics. For instance, the Sword and Shield now boast a new attack that allows for swift dismemberment of monsters. Moreover, Capcom has improved the mobility and reactiveness of these weapons, making them an ideal choice for any hunt. The Long Sword, to illustrate, features a new Crimson combo, enhancing the excitement and fun of executing it. Although I haven’t tested every weapon, the combat in Wilds feels more polished than ever before and should appeal to both novice and experienced players alike.

In the last couple of instalments, combat has seen numerous modifications. The previous game, World, was heavily focused on timing, strategic decisions, and landing that decisive strike against a monster once you’ve learned its attack patterns. On the other hand, Rise felt more like a power trip with its fast-paced combos and mobility enhancements during movement. Wilds strikes a balance between these two but tends to favor World-like gameplay a bit more.

In Wilds, the gameplay heavily emphasizes its strategic aspects. Mastering a monster’s behavior is much like figuring out the attack patterns of a boss in soulslike games. Each creature has specific behaviors you must learn to predict, dodge, or counter effectively. To make things even more engaging, Focus Mode is a fantastic new feature added to the series.

When I manage to weaken a beast sufficiently, entering Focus Mode lets me strike a radiant area for a lethal blow and detach a piece from the monster, netting me additional resources. However, I find that Focus Mode isn’t as seamless with every weapon. Using Dual Blades or Sword and Shield to hit a weak spot feels natural. But when wielding larger weapons, it can feel awkward, and occasionally my strike misses the mark, even when aiming precisely at the target area.

Besides this, the game Wilds offers an optimal blend of accessibility for beginners with minimal gaming experience in Monster Hunter, and depth for advanced players. Newcomers will find combat easy to grasp due to its user-friendly design, while Focus Mode ensures that even the toughest battles become more manageable by showing exactly where to strike the monster. On the other hand, seasoned players will appreciate the challenge posed by some of the most formidable monsters ever encountered, as the game introduces new complex mechanics as the difficulty level increases. It’s also worth mentioning that there are now monsters more lethal than those seen in World and Rise.

A Colossal Lineup

In any “Monster Hunter” game, the monstrous creatures it’s named after are a must-have. There are certain ones I can’t disclose as it would spoil the fun, but the assortment is truly impressive. As players traverse through the game, they may come across some familiar foes that could either bring joy or irritation based on their past experiences with them. Nevertheless, the fresh monsters in this installment are incredibly innovative and rewarding to hunt.

Beyond just the monster’s actions, creativity plays a significant role as well. What was missing in Rise, for me, was the extent to which the environment in World could be utilized. I recall how I enjoyed destroying sections of the map to make Rathalos descend. Nothing can surpass the feeling of luring a monster into a vine trap, shooting it at the perfect moment, and then finishing it off. Wilds builds upon all that and takes it to heights I didn’t think were achievable.

All in all, I found the roster of monsters to be the most impressive across the entire series, offering exceptional gameplay and design. Moreover, upon reaching High Rank, there’s a wealth of activities to engage in, and numerous battles escalate in difficulty or introduce new challenges that will truly test your hunting prowess.

In some versions of the game, there’s a feature where you could gather evidence like fur, tracks, and more to eventually track down a monster, similar to Monster Hunter: World. However, this isn’t a common occurrence in the current game you’re playing, although you can still find occasional traces that reward Guild Points. But fear not! This game, Monster Hunter Wilds, maintains the sense of urgency to start hunting quickly, as seen in Rise, while preserving the depth and complexity of hunts found in World. In my opinion, this blend is a fantastic equilibrium between speed and intricacy.

It’s a Wild World

Another character that deserves recognition in Monster Hunter Wilds is the diverse array of zones it offers. I’ve discussed world-building by focusing on immersion, characters, and how every location boasts its own distinct culture. Yet, the design of each map truly shines.

As an avid fan, I’ve been fortunate enough to take a sneak peek at the Windward Plains, and let me tell you, it’s a masterclass in game map design. The Plains offer a thrilling mix of expansive monster-infested spaces, narrow passages teeming with insects, and vast dunes brimming with quicksand pitfalls. Yet, as you venture deeper into the Forbidden Lands, the zones only get more captivating. And the cherry on top? Navigating them is a breeze, all thanks to your trusty Seikret, boasting the most advanced auto-pilot system in any Monster Hunter game. But don’t just take my word for it; Seikrets are essentially Palamutes 2.0. They’re not just rideable vehicles from point A to B. They can shield you from certain monster attacks, store a few essential supplies, and, as many have discovered, they even carry a secondary weapon for you.

As a fan, I can’t deny that the game’s stunning visuals are truly captivating, but let’s not shy away from the elephant in the room – performance. During the beta, some of us encountered performance hiccups and were on a hunt for solutions to run the Wilds at more than 30 fps. With my PS5 experience under my belt, I can confidently say that this console is the ideal choice for an optimal gaming experience. It offers three modes: balanced, framerate, and resolution. I opted for the balanced mode, which I believe strikes the perfect balance between visual quality and smooth gameplay.

Reflecting on my gaming sessions, I didn’t seem to pick up on the 40 FPS balanced mode aiming for consistency. The combat felt seamless and ran flawlessly without a single glitch. Interestingly, the only textural problems I encountered were during one cutscene, but overall, everything functioned perfectly. There were no instances of crashing, frame rate drops, or low-resolution monsters. In summary, it was a fantastic experience.

A New Place to Call Home

After spending numerous years in the New World, it’s now time to say goodbye and dive into “Monster Hunter Wilds”. Funny enough, I initially felt a pang of nostalgia. The World has provided me with some of the most cherished moments from this series. Its monsters, events, crossovers, and cooperative hunts are memories that will stay with me. Yet, the lofty standards set by Wilds might make the World feel like an era long gone.

I wouldn’t have anticipated a fresh installment of “Monster Hunter” outshining the 2018 masterpiece, but lo and behold! This time the narrative excels, our protagonist seems invincible, the roster is outstanding, and it harks back to some exceptional lineups in recent memory. The cherry on top? We’re merely scratching the surface with “Monster Hunter Wilds” – it’s emerging like a butterfly spreading its wings, ready to be a new sanctuary for all hunters, and yes, I dare say it’s almost perfect in every aspect.

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2025-02-24 18:06