‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ game review: A streamlined yet thrilling hunt

Monster Hunter Wilds
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Streamlining a Monster Hunter game is like tightrope walking across a gorge of lava. On one hand is the excellent combat, as you take on gigantic monsters with your trusty oversized cat and your group of hunters. On the other hand are the extremely data-heavy, fully loaded statistics menus. This is a tough balancing act because any change could anger longtime fans. Yet, the much-awaited Monster Hunter Wilds improves on everything that makes the series famous. While it does end up being easier, which could put off some players, it does succeed in making things a lot more fun — really throwing you deep into that power fantasy of taking down gigantic monsters with fancy moves and the strength of your build.

A region once known to be inhabited, called the Forbidden Lands, hides many secrets. A mysterious boy, Nata, is rescued by the Hunters’ Guild, igniting interest in these unknown lands. You play as one such hunter, part of an expedition to unravel the mysteries of a civilisation hidden in harsh territory teeming with dangerous monsters. Every Monster Hunter game usually revolves around a new monster, and in this case, the hunt is on for the previously thought extinct White Wraith, as you rush to rescue Nata’s people from this new threat.

Usually, the stories of Monster Hunter are threadbare excuses to go slay the latest monster, but Monster Hunter Wilds packs quite the engaging narrative. With a unique cast of characters by your side — from the curious handler and archaeologist Alma, always ready with expeditions, to Gemma, a viral favourite ever ready to craft weapons for you as the blacksmith — the game offers a rich experience. Then there is your Palico, a race of sentient cats that assist you on your hunts. The Palicos steal the show, but the monsters come in a close second.

New modes

Monster Hunter’s open worlds are thriving ecosystems, where monsters roam free, with their own territories, hunting habits, and feeding cycles. A new addition to help you traverse these terrains is your trusty mini-dinosaur-like mount called the Seikrit. The loop is simple: you plan your expedition, track your hunt, and then, when the time is right, you jump into the fray. The combat is as kinetic as you would expect, given Capcom’s track record of making excellent action games. The weapons are massive, packing quite a punch — whether it is the giant greatsword, the explosive gun-lance, or the acrobatic insect glaive.

A worthy addition is the new focus mode, which lets you target specific body parts to gain materials and exploit weaknesses, reminiscent of the Horizon series. Additionally, you get a grappling hook-like tool called the Slinger, which lets you climb onto monsters and hack at them Shadow of the Colossus style. With 14 weapon types to choose from and the ability to switch between two at a time, you can craft builds suited to your playstyle. The difficulty is lower than in previous games — not to say it is not challenging, but it allows you to enjoy the loop more. Personally, I welcome it, and for those seeking a tougher challenge, Capcom may release an update to tweak the AI difficulty.

Palico creator

Many quality-of-life improvements stand out, including more fluid combat, well-designed menus, and accessibility options such as HUD customisations. However, I would have loved customisable gamepad configurations. As an Elden Ring pro, I would like to map the dodge to Circle and shoulder buttons for attack. Hopefully, future updates will allow this, making it easier for new players familiar with other action RPGs to hit the ground running.

One of the highlights is the beautiful character creator, which allows you to craft stunning hunters. The icing on the cake is the Palico creator — I mirrored my cat, and it is fun seeing him all dressed up in ultra-cute overalls and furry hats. Many players have reportedly been using this feature to recreate their lost pets, allowing them to accompany them on their adventures. The world is breathtaking, but at launch, it looked somewhat brown and dusty. There are guides online on how to tweak settings for more vibrant visuals. As expected, there were performance issues, especially on the PC version.

It is hard not to get hit by Monster Hunter fever every time a new game releases, and Monster Hunter Wilds is an excellent, robust entry in the franchise. With everything optimised and streamlined for maximum fun, whether you are a veteran or a newbie, whether you prefer solo play with AI hunters or teaming up with friends, this will be a wild ride.