Monster Hunter Wilds is Capcom’s latest entry in its long-running action RPG series, pushing the franchise into a fully open world for the first time. Known for its deep combat, massive creatures, and rewarding progression, Monster Hunter has always been about learning your prey, mastering weapons, and surviving intense battles. Wilds embraces this legacy while introducing major changes, some of which elevate the experience—while others introduce new challenges.
A Vast and Living World
The Forbidden Lands, the game’s setting, is easily Wilds biggest leap forward. Unlike previous games with segmented zones, this world is seamless, dynamic, and constantly shifting. Weather patterns and time of day impact both the environment and the creatures that inhabit it, making the hunt more unpredictable. This sense of immersion is further enhanced by the introduction of the Seikret mount, which allows players to move fluidly across the terrain. While this improves exploration, some longtime players feel it makes traversal too effortless, removing some of the tension that made past Monster Hunter maps feel more deliberate.
Combat and Gameplay Refinements
As expected, Wilds features all 14-weapon type’s the series is known for, each with deep mechanics and unique playstyles. Combat remains weighty and satisfying, rewarding precision and strategy. The game introduces smoother animations and faster transitions between actions, making fights feel more fluid than ever. Capcom has also streamlined some mechanics, such as crafting and resource gathering, making the experience more accessible without completely removing the challenge.
However, some series veterans feel the game leans too much into accessibility, removing some of the series’ signature complexity such as monster tracking. While newcomers will likely appreciate the smoother entry point, hardcore fans may find certain aspects of preparation and strategy less demanding than before.
Visuals and Performance: A Mixed Bag
Monster Hunter Wilds is stunning in motion, with highly detailed environments, lifelike creatures, and breathtaking weather effects. The Forbidden Lands feel alive, with small details like shifting sand dunes, migrating herds, and changing skies adding to the immersion.
Unfortunately, performance issues have dampened the experience for many, particularly on PC. Reports of crashes, frame rate drops, and optimization problems have led to frustration among players. Even those with high-end hardware have encountered unexpected slowdowns, making an otherwise gorgeous game difficult to fully enjoy. Console players have had a more stable experience, but PC users are currently waiting for updates to address these technical problems.
Final Verdict
Monster Hunter Wilds is an ambitious evolution for the franchise, delivering a vast open world, refined combat, and an immersive ecosystem that makes every hunt feel unique. However, performance issues and debates over accessibility versus depth prevent it from being an undisputed masterpiece at launch. If Capcom can address these shortcomings, Wilds has the potential to be one of the best entries in the series.
