Monster Hunter Wilds Review: A Fun yet Flawed Adventure

Image credits: Rock Paper Shotgun / Capcom

Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest installment in the beloved Monster Hunter series, and it has made significant improvements to the traditional formula. The game's world is now seamless, allowing players to explore different zones without loading screens, and the addition of a new mount, the Seikret, has made navigating the world more convenient. The game's graphics are also impressive, with detailed environments and realistic weather effects. However, the game's lack of challenge, even for veteran players, is a notable drawback. The campaign is relatively short, and the post-game content, while plentiful, can feel like a grind.

The game's combat system has also been improved, with more flexible and forgiving mechanics, making it easier for new players to jump in. The addition of a new Focus Mode and the ability to break monster parts, known as Wounds, adds a new layer of strategy to the game. However, the game's difficulty tuning is still a work in progress, and some players may find it too easy, even on the highest difficulty settings. The game's customization options are also impressive, allowing players to personalize their experience with various armor sets, weapons, and accessories. The game's online features, including cross-play and seamless co-op, make it easy to play with friends and join online sessions.

One of the game's strongest aspects is its monster design, with a wide variety of creatures to hunt and collect. The game's bestiary is impressive, with detailed descriptions and animations for each monster. However, the game's story mode can feel like a tutorial, and the game's hand-holding can be frustrating for experienced players. The game's world, while beautiful, can also feel like a spectacle, rather than a living, breathing environment. The game's lack of exploration and discovery can make it feel like a series of fetch quests, rather than a true adventure.

Despite its flaws, Monster Hunter Wilds is still a fun and engaging game, with a lot to offer fans of the series and new players alike. The game's improvements to the traditional formula, combined with its impressive graphics and customization options, make it a worthwhile experience. However, the game's lack of challenge and limited exploration can make it feel like a shallow experience, especially for veteran players. The game's post-game content, while plentiful, can also feel like a grind, with too much repetition and not enough variety.

In conclusion, Monster Hunter Wilds is a fun yet flawed game that is sure to please fans of the series and new players alike. While it has made significant improvements to the traditional formula, it still has some notable drawbacks, including a lack of challenge and limited exploration. However, the game's impressive graphics, customization options, and online features make it a worthwhile experience, and its monster design and bestiary are truly impressive. With some tweaks to the game's difficulty tuning and more emphasis on exploration and discovery, Monster Hunter Wilds could be a truly great game.