“Monster Hunter Wilds” is the latest hunting action game released simultaneously worldwide by Capcom on February 28, 2025. Compatible with PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam), the regular version costs 8,990 yen (excluding tax). It was Capcom's fastest-selling blockbuster in history, selling over 8 million copies worldwide in just three days after its release.
The story takes place in an area called “Forbidden Land,” which has been shrouded in mystery in previous series. It is characterized by a field that dynamically changes its appearance from moment to moment, and the story unfolds in a world with two sides: a harsh environment where monsters gather and fight, and a rich environment teeming with life. The player takes on the role of a hunter who makes a living hunting powerful monsters, and becomes deeply involved in a story centered around a boy named Nata and the mysterious monster “White Lone Shadow.''
In this work, all 14 weapon types familiar from the series appear, and many new actions have been added to each weapon type. In addition, the majestic and beautiful visual expression produced by the in-house developed engine “RE ENGINE” has been highly praised, and the game's level of perfection is extremely high. Furthermore, it supports cross-play, so you can play with friends across platforms.
The game has been designed to be approachable not only to fans of the Monster Hunter series, but also to new players, and additional content through updates and DLC is being distributed one after another. This is a work that can be said to be the culmination of the series, as it combines rich replay elements and an immersive story experience.
A world with two sides expressed with overwhelming graphics
The biggest feature of “Monster Hunter Wilds” is the overwhelming beauty of the graphics made possible by the in-house developed engine “RE ENGINE.” Majestic scenery, detailed monster expressions, and above all, dynamic fields that change every moment draw players into an immersive world.
What is especially noteworthy is the dual nature of the field. Centering on two contrasting fields: the “Sand Plains” where harsh sandstorms rage, and the “Scarlet Forest” where vibrant plants grow, the scenery can look completely different depending on the weather changes even within the same map.This environmental change is not just a difference in appearance, but also affects the monsters that appear and the materials that can be collected, so it is deeply related to hunting strategy.
In addition, moving between fields and between bases is now almost seamless, and loading screens that disrupt the sense of immersion have been eliminated to the utmost. This technological advancement allows for a more natural hunting experience.
A new hunting style brought about by secret and weapon bags
The new feature that is the highlight of this work is a riding animal called “Secret''. By riding the Secret, you can travel across vast fields at high speed, and it also has the ability to automatically take you to a destination if you specify it.This greatly reduces the stress of traveling, allowing them to focus on their primary focus: hunting.It is also possible to use strategies such as attacking from Secret or calling Secret in a pinch to rebuild the situation.
Even more innovative is the “weapon bag” system. Secret's weapon bag can store a second weapon, allowing him to switch between them while hunting. The range of strategies is greatly expanding, such as using melee weapons and long-range weapons, and combining weapons with different attributes.By switching weapons depending on the monster's characteristics and situation, more efficient hunting has become possible.
These new elements have not only become more convenient, but have also further deepened the basic elements of Monster Hunter, “preparation and strategy,'' and have been highly praised for evolving without sacrificing the essence of the series.
Advanced hunting action and wound system
In Monster Hunter Wilds, new actions have been added to each of the 14 weapon types, allowing for even more diverse ways of fighting. Of particular note is the new action “Concentration Mode'' that can be used for all weapon types. By using concentration mode, monsters' weaknesses and wounds are highlighted in red, making them easier to target.
Also, what is unique about this work is the “wound” system. When you deal a certain amount of damage to a monster, a wound is created, and by concentrating your attacks on that wound, you can deal great damage.By destroying these wounds, you can stop the movement of monsters, obtain special materials, and expand your range of strategies.
Furthermore, there are plenty of tactics that utilize hook slingers and the environment. The depth of hunting has increased significantly, such as by making good use of the small swarm monsters that live in the field and setting traps that take advantage of the characteristics of the terrain.
These new elements require more strategic hunting, such as understanding the monster's characteristics, utilizing the environment, and switching weapons at the right time, rather than simply pushing with force.However, it is designed to be easy to use even for beginners, and has achieved an exquisite balance that can be enjoyed even when playing for the first time in the series.
Seamless story experience and hunting with friends
The story of Monster Hunter Wilds is said to be one of the best in the series. The production is different from previous series, and the seamless transition from event scenes to player operations greatly increases the sense of immersion. What is noteworthy is that the main character and Palico Airou now have fully voiced conversations, allowing the characters' emotions to be expressed more fully.
The story is set in a forbidden area, and revolves around a mysterious boy named Nata and a monster called the “White Lone Shadow''.With the theme of the relationship between humans and nature, the game explores the mysteries of the world that have not been touched upon in previous series, and is designed to be enjoyed by both fans of previous games and new players.
Online multiplayer has also greatly improved. Cross-play support makes it possible to play across different platforms, making it easier to go hunting with friends. Furthermore, you can now proceed with story quests with friends, allowing you to share the story experience.
A new system called Support Hunters has also been introduced, allowing NPC hunters to accompany you on quests even if you don't have any friends online.This allows for a pseudo-multiplayer experience even when playing solo, making it easier for even beginners to take on difficult quests. And when you're in trouble, the “distress signal” system that calls for help from real players is still in place.
