When is the Monster Hunter Wilds release date? With the recent resurgence of Monster Hunter World and Rise in late 2023, there’s naturally a bit of a buzz regarding the first sixth-generation Monster Hunter.
We’ve already seen some of the big changes coming to the RPG game series with Monster Hunter Wilds, including unprecedented mount mobility and all-new mechanics. Thanks to the power of next-gen consoles, Wilds is shaping up to be a stunning open-world game, as Ken’s Monster Hunter Wilds Gamescom preview can attest. Now you’re suitably buzzing, here is everything we know about the Monster Hunter Wilds release date and all the new features shown off in the latest trailers.
Monster Hunter Wilds release date
The Monster Hunter Wilds release date is Friday, February 28, 2025. This was confirmed in the release date reveal trailer that aired during a recent State of Play.
Monster Hunter Wilds is the first game in the mainline series to be available on PC from day one, launching alongside PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. We’ve got the latest on Monster Hunter Wilds crossplay and whether we’ll see Monster Hunter Wilds on Game Pass any time soon.
Capcom’s fantasy hunting game was first announced during the Game Awards 2023 show. Series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto posted a follow-up video on X (formerly Twitter) in early 2024, stating that the team “is deep in development and working diligently towards release in 2025.”
For those who have played Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter World Iceborne, you will receive Palico armor sets and weapons. Those who’ve played World get the Felynne Leather armor set and the Felyne Acorn Spade weapon. Making it through the campaign as far as the Iceborne expansion gives you the Felyne Duffel armor set and the Felyne Trekker Peckaxe.
Monster Hunter Wilds trailers
The first trailer gave us an early look at Monster Hunter Wilds new mount and potentially a gameplay variant. The mount is very similar to Monster Hunter Rise Palamutes; only it’s a feathered creature with wings. Later revealed to be called Seikrets, they can also glide for a short time and are a bit more nimble, able to hop between crags.
We’re shown a herd of smaller herbivorous Monster Hunter Wilds monsters pursued by three bear-like sand-dwelling large monsters right as a sandstorm hits. Inside the sandstorm, we see a storm erupt as the beasts tear apart their armored prey. At the end of the trailer, a similar sand cloud transforms a barren wasteland into rich plains with flowing rivers and lush grass.
The next trailer debuted during the May 2024 PlayStation State of Play stream. The previously revealed bear-like monsters are known as Doshaguma, with their behavior resembling a lion pride. We also see a second monster, the Chatacabra, a hulking gorilla and bullfrog hybrid. We are also introduced to a few new characters from the hunting expedition who assist the player on their journey.
Next up is the Summer Game Fest 2024 trailer, which includes a scripted sequence as the hunters are attacked by a pack of a new leviathan-class monster: Balahara. In it, we get confirmation of the return of Turf Wars, a feature introduced in Monster Hunter World, where large monsters briefly fight each other in scripted sequences. This time around, multiple monsters of the same type can gang up on a solitary beast, as shown by the Doshaguma quickly being overwhelmed by several Balahara.
The latest batch of trailers features a lot of in-game footage, exploring the game’s basic mechanics. Capcom has also dropped weapon overviews for the Insect Glaive, Heavy Bowgun, and Great Sword. Monster Hunter World prior to its launch in 2018 went through a similar release cadence, potentially hinting that Wilds could be launching sooner rather than later.
The team released another trailer at Gamescom Opening Night Live alongside a lengthy blog post detailing The Scarlet Forest, an eerie, dark forest with blood red rivers and large, spider-like monsters called Lala Barina that live within. We also found out more about apex predators, the new large monsters that guard each region, and a fresh look at the base camp, as well as the new Monster Hunter characters.
The Monster Hunter Wilds release date reveal trailer aired during Sony’s September State of Play. In it, we got confirmation of this installment’s flagship monster: Arkveld, the White Wraith. This behemoth takes front and center in the story, as the hunter sets off on an expedition into the Forbidden Lands to rescue the Keepers. We also get a closer look at the extreme weather effects and destructible environments during hectic hunts against brand-new monsters.
Monster Hunter Wilds gameplay
Here are the 14 base weapons returning to Monster Hunter Wilds:
- Great Sword
- Long Sword
- Sword & Shield
- Dual Blades
- Hammer
- Hunting Horn
- Lance
- Gunlance
- Switch Axe
- Charge Blade
- Insect Glaive
- Light Bowgun
- Heavy Bowgun
- Bow
According to the PlayStation blog post, “hunters will have more precise control over how they guard, aim, and attack in order to target a monster’s weak points for big damage.” Furthermore, the Monster Hunter Wilds Focus Mode “makes it easier to adjust your distance to the monster and aim your attacks, making the distinctive Monster Hunter hunting action more accessible to a wider variety of players.”
Monster Hunter Wilds also introduces new dynamic weather effects that affect the local monster population and how they interact with one another. These inclemencies range from thunderous sandstorms and torrential rainstorms, with a higher chance of encountering apex predators like Uth Duna and Rey Dau. Regions are also susceptible to Fallow periods where food becomes scarce, triggering aggression in predators and herbivores alike. These turbulent phases are followed by a period of Plenty, restoring balance to the ecosystem.
Finally, there’s a long-awaited Monster Hunter Wilds customization overhaul lined up that removes gender-locked armor. Instead, players can swap between different versions of each gear set. Fashion hunters, rejoice!
Now that you’re prepared for the Monster Hunter Wilds release date, check out Capcom’s official stance on Monster Hunter Wilds pay-to-win DLC. We’ve also got a handy list of the best games like Monster Hunter if you want to warm up those hunting muscles ahead of launch. There is also a Monster Hunter Wilds beta running right now if you want to get a taste ahead of the release date.