Why You Should Play Monster Hunter: World Before Wilds

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Given its high number of pre-orders, it’s clear that Monster Hunter Wilds is anticipated to be a big hit. However, since this might be your first Monster Hunter game, keep in mind that the series can be quite intricate and challenging. Although Wilds should have a good tutorial for beginners, you may find it more manageable if you start with one of the earlier games first. Therefore, before diving into the expansive and perilous world of Monster Hunter Wilds, we strongly suggest you explore 2018’s Monster Hunter: World first.

Instead of Wold, we advise opting for Monster Hunter: World as it shares similarities in style and structure with Wilds. Engaging with World serves as a useful introduction and prepares you for the intricate mechanics and repetitive gameplay that are characteristic of the series.

Why Monster Hunter: World?

If you’ve been following Capcom’s latest games, you might be wondering whether you should play Monster Hunter Rise, the newest game in the series, instead of revisiting Monster Hunter: World. This is a reasonable question to ask. Although Monster Hunter Rise is the latest installment (and an excellent game!), it appears that Monster Hunter World is more of a sequel to 2018’s World than 2021’s Rise.

In comparison to World, Rise has enhanced the series’ distinctive gameplay with rideable creatures, an aerial Wirebug grappling system, and other captivating additions. However, these improvements came at the cost of some expansive and intricately connected zones found in World. The reason being, Rise was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch, which has less powerful hardware than other platforms. This affected several design choices, leading to a focus on faster-paced gameplay and smaller areas, which streamlined the hunt-upgrade-hunt loop but diminished some of the grandeur and intriguing friction of World. It seems that Wilds aims to reintroduce and expand upon those aspects that Rise had omitted.

World feels like the blueprint that Wilds’ much larger open areas are drawing from.

In Monster Hunter: World, expansive areas and a focus on tracking monsters within a complex ecosystem create an experience that seems to be the foundation for the larger open spaces found in Wilds. Therefore, we think Monster Hunter: World is the ideal game to prepare you for what’s ahead. The more open zones, which serve as arenas for extended, exhilarating hunts across diverse landscapes, truly showcase the brilliance of modern Monster Hunter games. We anticipate that Wilds will live up to these expectations, but why not experience a sneak peek and learn about it now in World?

Although Monster Hunter Wilds may appear as a sequel in terms of its setting, it’s crucial to understand that its narrative is not an extension of the storyline presented in World. Instead, the way stories and campaigns are structured in World will help you anticipate the trajectory of Wilds’ tale. Familiar entities such as the Hunter’s Guild administration and your friendly Palicos will be part of Wilds, but they won’t have any links to earlier (and presumably future) installments. In essence, imagine the Final Fantasy series where each game has recognizable elements like Cid, massive Behemoths, yellow Chocobos, and distinctive creatures scattered across the world, but every game stands independently, enabling each one to imprint its unique touch on classic concepts.

Practice, Practice, Practice

As a fervent fan, I’d argue that the most compelling reason to embark on Monster Hunter: World first is its intricate combat system. The game offers 14 unique weapons, each with their own distinct playstyles and strategies, all of which are present in Monster Hunter: World. Jumping into this game early gives you a chance to become familiar with the quirks and techniques of each weapon, helping you find the one that best aligns with your personal preferences and gaming style. From the agile dual-blades to the imposing greatsword, every weapon in Monster Hunter requires focus to master. Thus, consider Monster Hunter: World as a training ground where you can hone your skills and build proficiency. By the time you move on to Monster Hunter Wilds, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a seasoned veteran.

In Monster Hunter series, your weapon serves as a pivotal element. Unlike other RPGs where characters gain abilities and stats through experience or typical mechanics, all capabilities in this game are tied to your chosen weapon. View your weapon as a character class or job in conventional action RPGs – each one influences your role during battles and the strategy you employ for every hunt. Mastering World will guide you on elevating your weapons by gathering components from defeated monsters, and crafting towards more advanced weapons within your weapon family tree.

Additionally, it’s crucial to understand that in many situations, repeatedly pressing the attack button won’t lead to victory in World. Instead, mastering the placement of your character and the angle of your attacks is key. Knowing which part of a monster your weapon can cause the most damage is equally important. For example, the Longsword excels at cutting off monsters’ tails or long limbs, while the hammer is effective at knocking enemies over by striking them on the head forcefully. Understanding how to effectively use each weapon can be decisive in any battle and greatly increase your chances of success. Therefore, give Monster Hunter: World a try and learn where you can inflict severe damage on your opponents.

Having a solid understanding of the tempo of each hunt will be a huge advantage going into Wilds.

In the grand scheme of things, your weapon is just one aspect of the global balance. The Slinger, an accessory strapped to your hunter’s left arm, serves as a means to employ unique devices and ammunition in combat. Timing a Flash Pod to momentarily blind an adversary monster or scattering poison knives for minor damage can decide the outcome of a fight. The Slinger reappears in Wilds, and mastering when to incorporate shots during a battle will significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Remember, you’ll have to craft Slinger ammunition using materials found in the environment, so being acquainted with World’s crafting interfaces and recipes will be beneficial when working with Wilds’ own versions.

As you familiarize yourself with the assortment of weapons and equipment in the Monster Hunter series, you’ll gradually discover its additional recurring elements. The core gameplay loop typically involves tracing monster footprints to locate the target creature. On this journey, you’ll mine ore using your pickaxe, collect honey for concocting potions, and gather other useful resources en route to the monster’s lair. Over time, these actions become routine, and mastering the pace of each hunt will prove beneficial when venturing into the Wilds.

A hunt isn’t just about charging in, making a swift kill, and then departing. Each hunt should be planned to last, especially on your initial attempt. Learning to dance with the fiery Anjanath is vastly different from comprehending how to arm yourself against something explosive like the Bazelgeuse, but mastering all aspects of these monsters provides fundamental knowledge. And as Monster Hunter Wilds aims to portray the grandeur and expansiveness of these journeys in a manner similar to World’s spectacle, it makes the 2018 edition an excellent training ground.

Additionally, here’s another incentive to explore Monster Hunter World before the arrival of Monster Hunters Sunbreak: You can acquire some free Palico armor by transferring your save data from World into Sunbreak, and an extra set if you have data from World’s colossal Iceborne expansion. It might seem trivial, but always fun to customize your Palico’s wardrobe!

Although you don’t necessarily have to play previous Monster Hunter games before starting a new one, Capcom’s RPG is a unique creature unlike any other game in existence. The developers have been making strides to ease the learning process with each new release, but the abundance of distinctive systems necessitates that players familiarize themselves with Monster Hunter by actually playing it. While some may find pleasure diving headfirst into the new game without prior knowledge, the upcoming launch of Monster Hunter: World on February 28, 2025, presents an excellent opportunity for novices to explore the game, become accustomed to its language and community, and prepare for the arrival of Wilds.

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2025-02-17 19:43