Is Monster Hunter Wilds Worth It?

It’s been seven years since the release of Monster Hunter World, a major critical and commercial hit for Capcom, and the next mainline entry in the beloved Monster Hunter series is finally here. Monster Hunter Wilds aims to be an evolution of the formula with its interconnected maps, new combat techniques, and a menagerie of exciting new monsters to hunt.

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Like its predecessor, Monster Hunter Wilds is a massive game that requires a big time commitment if you want to experience all it has to offer. Before you jump into the Forbidden Lands, here’s our take on whether or not Monster Hunter Wilds is truly worth it.

Review

TheGamer’s review of Monster Hunter Wilds is overwhelmingly positive, with particularly high praise for the moment-to-moment combat, which feels as crisp, cinematic, and exciting as hunting monsters ever have. It then highlights the strengths of this entry’s new features, which include a more robust and engaging storyline, dynamic weather systems that bring each biome to life, and streamlined systems that help keep everything moving. Wilds is laser-focused on creating as much immersion through realism as possible.

All that streamlining comes at a cost, however. Monster Hunter Wilds sheds off so many layers of complexity that at times it feels rather simple compared to previous games. With simpler, more forgiving hunts that require less preparation to complete, Wilds can be a little too forgiving, to the point of verging on mindless. This won’t feel like a negative to everyone, especially those who have avoided the series because of its reputation for being difficult. But long-time fans may find there just isn’t as much to sink their teeth into here as they are used to.

Something everyone should appreciate though are the new maps, which are bigger and more complicated than anything we’ve seen in previous Monster Hunters. With the new Seikret mount, exploring each biome through side quests and expeditions is incredibly engaging. Weather events transform each location, making them feel like brand new worlds to explore every time you visit. This is easily the best-looking Monster Hunter yet, and anyone who fell in love with Monster Hunter because of how alive its monsters feel will be incredibly satisfied.

Not all of Monster Hunter Wilds’ changes are improvements. The multiplayer systems, which aim to eliminate some of the frustrations from World’s multiplayer, are just as consulted and unreliable as ever, if not more so. Some of the things it sacrifices in pursuit of approachability will be missed by long-time fans. There isn’t a lot of challenge to be found in Wilds, which will be refreshing to some, and disappointing to others.

Time Expenditure

Monster Hunter Wilds is a massive RPG. It will take dozens of hours until you’ve seen all of the content, and up to 100 hours before you’ve seen every single thing it has to offer. With frequent content updates coming, this is the kind of game you can play every day and never run out of things to do. On the other hand, if you only want to take a dip in the Forbidden Lands, it may still be worth your while.

Monster Hunter Wilds is divided into two halves. The main story up until the credits role is called Low Rank. Here, the monster and gear variety is limited, but you get to enjoy a long story at a breakneck pace. Once you’ve finished the campaign, you enter High Rank. In High Rank, the story continues and a lot more gameplay mechanics are introduced. You can spend as long as you’d like in High Rank, even after you’ve completed the second half of the campaign.

In total, you should expect to spend between 18-25 hours in Low Rank, depending on how fast you hunt and how many side quests you do. Getting to the end of High Rank will take you at least another 20 hours, but keep in mind Capcom will be adding more monsters and additional content to Wilds frequently.

Cost

There are two physical versions of Monster Hunter Wilds and three digital versions. The base game, both in physical and digital, is $70 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. There are more expensive versions that offer additional content and collectibles. Here are all the options.

*Deluxe Pack includes:

• Hunter Layered Armor Set: Feudal Soldier
• Hunter Layered Armor: Fencer’s Eyepatch, Oni Horns Wig
• Seikret Decoration: Soldier’s Caparison, General’s Caparison
• Felyne Layered Armor Set: Felyne Ashigaru
• Pendant: Avian Wind Chime
• Gesture: Battle Cry, Uchiko
• Hairstyle: Hero’s Topknot, Refined Warrior
• Makeup/Face Paint: Hunter’s Kumadori, Special Bloom
• Sticker Set: Avis Unit, Monsters of the Windward Plains
• Nameplate: Extra Frame — Russet Dawn

**Premium Bonus includes:

• Hunter Layered Armor: Wyverian Ears
• Premium Bonus Hunter Profile Set
• BGM: Proof of a Hero (2025 Recording)

***Cosmetic DLC Packs include:

• Hunter layered armor: 1 series (5 pieces), and 1 piece
• Seikret decorations: 2
• Pendants: 6 (Color variation)
• Pose Sets: 1
• Makeup/Facepaint: 1
• Sticker set: 1
• BGM Set: 1
• Pop-up camp customization contents: 2
• Hunter layered armor: 1 series (5 pieces)
• Pendants: 6 (Color variation)
• Gesture sets: 2
• Hairstyles: 2
• Makeup/Facepaint: 2
• Sticker set: 1

What Players Are Saying

Something Is Missing – Sam Hallahan

Monster Hunter Wilds is both a fantastic evolutionary step for the series, and a jarring step back in other expectations. The graphics are incredible, the story and cinematics are the best we’ve seen by far, and the monster hunting is just as fun as it’s ever been.

However, the interconnected world often feels needless, the monsters are limited in comparison to previous entries, and the multiplayer menus are somewhat a mess on launch, with so many unclear hoops to jump through. It is undoubtedly a great Monster Hunter game, but whichever previous title is your favourite, you’re likely to find something missing in this one, among all the great things it does.

Released

February 28, 2025

ESRB

T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor