Hands off the keyboard, I know ‘games journo compares hot new thing to Dark Souls’ was a tired cliche ten years ago and you’ve got an angry comment (or email) ready to go, so allow me to clear the air. I know Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t a Soulslike. But as a newcomer to Capcom’s hit series, I’m surprised at just how much my Soulslike experience prepared me.
There’s a rhythm to every fight in both games, as you must carefully study your opponent and learn the flow of their moveset to find the perfect opening, whether that’s to heal or land a blow. Stamina also plays a crucial role, and managing it in the heat of battle while juggling all of the other systems is vital. Meanwhile, each weapon has a specific moveset, and adjusting to the weight and speed of your gear can mean the difference between life and death.
It’s a little more forgiving in Monster Hunter so far. Enemies don’t hit as hard, and there’s more room for mistakes. But each fight is still incredibly tense.
The core philosophy between the two games is also incredibly similar. There’s a triumph to conquering a fight after a gruelling bout of trial and error, and an uplifting co-operative spirit as you find disparate players coming and going throughout base camp, summoning them to your aid when the going gets tough. It’s comfortingly familiar, and has made a series I’ve long been put off by so incredibly welcoming.
I Love Being Confused And Not Understanding Anything
I know that Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t a Soulslike, even if the combat is familiar. The two are nothing alike when it comes to their basic structure. In Dark Souls, you fight through a gauntlet of weaker opponents from checkpoint to checkpoint until facing a boss, whereas in Monster Hunter, you accept contracts and venture to your prey’s domain directly. You take the fight to them.
There’s also significantly more thought required between every fight, as the camp is where you carefully plan and tailor your build before each hunt, loading up on traps, potions, meals, and gear, all tailored to your quarry.
I won’t lie though, I’m a fresh-faced, out-of-my-depth hunter. I don’t understand most of the menus and stats that are being thrown in my face, or the unending jargon overflowing out of every single UI element. It’s overwhelming, and trying to piece together what exactly I’m supposed to do at camp to prepare for every hunt is a battle in itself. Stepping up from the bonfire is simple, and I like simple. Stepping out of camp, there’s a looming sense of dread.
Yet that looming sense of dread is weirdly nostalgic. I was just as intimidated when I first played Dark Souls. Trying to wrap my head around equipment load, poise, frustratingly complex online systems, individual stats, and all the other obtuse mechanics made it feel as though my head was going to explode. Yet I miss that haze of confusion. When it all clicked into place, it was the most satisfying moment in any game I’ve ever played.
I’ve been baited into Monster Hunter by the allure of its combat, only to be left completely bewildered. But I’m excited to mess up, misunderstand everything, and fall flat on my face for 100 hours. Because when that moment comes again and it all clicks into place, it’ll capture a feeling I haven’t felt in years. Dark Souls didn’t just prepare me for Monster Hunter’s combat, it readied me to enjoy being lost in the dark, flailing like a newborn baby with a mace in its hand.
- Released
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February 28, 2025
- ESRB
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T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor