Since its 2004 debut, Monster Hunter has taken the world by storm, capturing the hearts of pals and Palicos all over the globe. Now, the series is stepping out into a wild new world with the next mainline entry, Monster Hunter Wilds, offering a premium experience for action RPG fans from all walks of life. Whether you’re a veteran player or completely new to the series, there’s never been a better time to get in on the hunt.
Monster Hunter Wilds tells a story of monsters and humans living in a world with two contrasting sides – one where monsters fight for scant resources in a harsh and unforgiving land, and another where the lands are vibrant and brimming with life. As a professional monster hunter, your job is to protect the balance of the ecosystem by hunting monsters as you endeavor to unravel the secrets of this mysterious world.
Much like the story, Wilds’ gameplay caters to two contrasting sides, offering an engaging experience regardless of whether you’re a solo or co-op player. Since Monster Hunter World, Capcom has taken great strides toward creating a smoother experience for multiplayer and co-op hunters. Now, you have access to a variety of different online modes, allowing you to join, search for, or create a private lobby, or even launch the game in offline or online single-player mode.
When in a lobby, you can post and join multiplayer quests and chat with other hunters from all over the world. If you want to team up with pals, you can form a link party to enjoy consecutive quests in seamless multiplayer with a dedicated text and voice chat. You can also invite party members to join your environment link then head out into the wilds and explore the world together seamlessly.
During a quest, you can use the SOS flare to invite other players to join you. While you’re waiting for backup, a team of NPC support hunters will come to your aid and fill out your party’s ranks, armed with a variety of weapons and healing items. They are more than capable of assisting you on even the toughest of missions.
Normally, the SOS flare prioritizes players, meaning the support hunters leave if a real hunter decides to join you. But don’t worry if you’d prefer to stick to a single-player experience. Not only do you have the unconditional support of your Palico pal and the sturdy Seikret mount, but you can also change your multiplayer settings to only allow support hunters, giving you the flexibility to play how you choose.
Once you’ve assembled your team, you need to get geared up and ready for your hunt. There are 14 distinct weapon types, each with its own unique attacks and handling. During the first quest, you can chat with Alma and answer some questions, and she’ll help you choose which one fits your playstyle. We also highly recommend taking them each for a whirl in the training area at the back of the base camp to see what suits you best.
Don’t worry if you can’t choose just one weapon, though, as Monster Hunter Wilds allows you to equip both a primary and secondary weapon and switch between them while riding your Seikret. This is an incredibly useful feature for both solo and multiplayer hunts, allowing for a lot of flexibility and opening up a heap of unique combinations to suit every playstyle.
You can also equip yourself with different weapons and armor sets offering unique buffs and passive skills to help you and your allies in battle. Some skills even specifically cater to multiplayer, such as Wide Range, which allows nearby allies to share the effects of the items you consume.
As you take down monsters and gather materials, you can use those materials to forge and upgrade your armor and weapons via the blacksmith, allowing you to get even stronger. So don’t forget to carve and gather everything while out in the field.
Now it’s time to hop on your Seikrets and get out there. Bigger than ever before, Monster Hunter Wilds’ map is made up of multiple dynamic, ever-changing environments. From the awe-inspiring architecture of Kunafa to the cryptic crimson webs of the Scarlet Forest, each location is bursting with life.
In addition to monsters, the wilds are occupied by a wide range of endemic life that you and your team can use to your advantage. There are wedge beetles that you can use as grapple points, vigorwasps that heal in an AoE, flashflies that can blind monsters, and much more. There are also plenty of environmental hazards like falling boulders and vinetraps that you can use to get the upper hand in battle, so be sure to keep an eye on your surroundings.
If all that wasn’t enough to keep you on your toes, the monsters’ unique behaviors certainly will. Whether you’re desperately flinging dung pods to try to separate the Alpha Doshaguma from its pack or standing back as a Rey Dau and an Arkveld initiate a turf war in the middle of a battle, these fearsome foes always ensure that no two fights are the same.
On top of this, Monster Hunter Wilds boasts a day-night cycle, distinct seasons, and a dynamic weather system, all of which can have an impact on spawns, monster behavior, and more, so be sure to keep an eye out for environmental notifications so you know what to expect.
With all these variables, it’s important to strategize and work together when playing with other hunters. Luckily, Monster Hunter Wilds has a robust communication system, with customizable shoutouts, stickers, and both text and voice chats. Of course, you can also just choose to do a funky little dance emote instead. We don’t judge.
Overall, Wilds is a truly enveloping experience that you can approach however you’d like. Whether you’re a fan of single-player adventures like The Witcher, Horizon, and Dragon’s Dogma, or you’re looking for a fun but challenging multiplayer game where you can team up and form strategies with others, it’s got something for everyone. So why not pick up a copy of Monster Hunter Wilds today and come join us – no hunting experience required!