
It’s again the most exciting monster-hunting time. Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in Capcom’s widely renowned action RPG, is live with mixed reviews from gamers. It’s been only two days since this game was released, and as the sixth main entry, gamers have been expecting a lot from the game. But does it live up to the high expectations? Let’s dive into the game and check out the points where it has surpassed its predecessors and where it lagged.
The in-game world of Monster Hunter games has always been one of the favorites of gamers, and Capcom has designed the world of the latest game with utmost care so it doesn’t disappoint gamers. To be precise, Monster Hunter Wilds’ world is one of its standout feature that instantly transports gamers to a lush ecosystem that takes players back in time, to the Mesozoic era, filled with diverse flora and fauna.
One of the highlighted features of this game is its dynamic regions that go through seasonal changes and follow the following periods: Fallow, Inclemency, and Plenty. The most impressive part is that these seasonal changes not only make the game look prettier, but they also impact the monster behaviors and resource availability. Therefore, it adds depth to exploration and strategy.
Now that world design has been gaining so much praise, one can’t consider the world without the creatures roaming in it. Therefore, here, the creature design deserves a special mention. Once dived into the game, players will encounter a range of different types of monsters, from fanged lions to lightning-spewing dragons. Fighting and hunting these monsters poses intense challenges, and once players defeat them, that gives the ultimate satisfaction.
While talking about Monster Hunter Wilds, one can’t miss talking about its combat system. Combat has always been at the heart of the Monster Hunter series, and this latest installment has taken it to a new level with refined mechanics. Though the introduction of the Focus Strike mechanics has raised loads of controversy among the Monster Hunter Wilds players, there's no denying that it has made the game more accessible for new gamers.
Aside from that, this installment has new characteristics for all 14 weapon types. This is again what Capcom did to attract the fresh audience who had never played these games before. While accessibility has always been one of the focus points in the Wilds, the game has again been designed with the newcomers in mind.
In Wilds, the game minimizes downtime and enables hunters to perform tasks like cooking and crafting directly in the field. This significantly reduces the requirement for gamers to return to the hub area for such activities. This seamless integration keeps players engaged in the action and exploration.
Now, here comes the issue. While these features have made the game enjoyable to gamers, the removal of certain complexities has sparked arguments among the player base, where the hardcore fans aren’t happy with these. The ease of locating and fighting monsters, as per them, goes against the core theory of the Monster Hunter series.
With Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom has shifted to a more narrative-driven approach that its predecessors haven’t ever explored. Throughout the 15-hour campaign, players will experience a story that revolves around the discovery of a mysterious boy and the enigmatic White Wraith that threatens the land. Well, this plot may seem a bit linear to some gamers, especially those who have played the previous games in the series, but this is helpful for those who have never explored these worlds. It will provide them with context for the hunts.
Well, this tutorial-like thing is not the end. Once the campaign is done, there comes the endgame content, which is worth mentioning. At a point when players reach the endgame, most of them feel that challenges are already narrowed down with only a few formidable monsters to tackle.
While the Monster Hunter Wilds community has loads of complaints about the game, the game is currently standing at a 7.1 Metacritic Score, according to user reviews. The gameplay mechanisms and other aspects of the game have won over the minds of gamers, but the monetization practices of the game have raised mixed reactions from the community.
Once again, in this game, Capcom has introduced charges for character edit vouchers, and that’s what made the community players angry about the game. A wide range of players consider this a step back in the series because the previous titles provide more flexibility in character customization without additional costs.
Anyway, no matter how much developers try, it is almost impossible to make a game without a single issue. Therefore, even without these troubles and concerts, the game has garnered positive reviews from gamers and critics.
Now, if the question is whether Monster Hunter Wilds is worth playing or not, it depends on the players. Capcom has tried new features in the game by blending stunning environmental design with refined combat mechanics to make the game accessible for newcomers and provide the veterans with new experiences. Therefore, if one is looking for an action RPG that offers both strategic combat and a vibrant world, Monster Hunter Wilds is undeniably worth giving a try.