Summary
The Game Awards 2023 came with several announcements, but one of the biggest came from Capcom in the form of a reveal trailer forMonster Hunter Wilds. The latest in one of the company’s flagship franchises,Wilds’ unveiling comes after months of rumors regarding what the follow-up toWorldandRisecould end up looking like. Fans were uncertain whether the nextMonster Huntertitle would lean into the advanced combat mechanics ofRiseor the expansive setting ofWorld, but it seems that Capcom’s next step has ultimately landed somewhere in between.
With a trailer that started off with a herd of uncanny herbivores and distinct rock formations,Monster Hunter Wildswas almost instantly recognizable as a part of the franchise to eagle-eyed fans. Its graphical fidelity doesn’t seem to have far surpassed its predecessors in its current state, but that’s not what has established this upcoming title as an advancement ofMonster Hunter.
While it may have been brief, Wilds’ trailer showed off several details that make it clear Capcom is serious about moving into the current generation with this series in 2025.
The Unprecedented Scale of Monster Hunter Wilds
More Monsters On-Screen Than Ever
Despite the familiarity ofMonster Hunter’s formula shown through the smaller monsters seen at the start ofWilds’ trailer, the sheer quantity of these creatures immediately implied a new level of technical performance. The endemic lifeforms are not only shown in larger groups than seen previously, but some have smaller creatures perched on top of them in a symbiotic display. The player is then seen being chased through one of these herds by a group of several ape-like monsters, resembling the likes ofRise’s Goss Harag. An entire pack of these monsters that would usually each be an individual battle rips through the herd as an avalanche of dust seems to overtake the entire zone, showing a level of chaos that previous console generations likely couldn’t have supported.
Hints of an Open-World Approach
Between what appears to be a large environment in the vein ofWorld’s areas, and the way that the monsters within might be able to affect their surroundings, it would make more sense than ever forMonster Hunterto go fully open-world. The hub world-centric structure of previous titles has always been a staple for the franchise, but creating a seamless set of interconnected zones would be a progression fromWorldin a similar vein to other aspects of the reveal.
Wilds' Potential to Evolve Existing Mechanics
Monster Hunter’s Latest Mount is No Palamute
One of the most obvious signs that theMHseries could be due for a huge shift is the presence ofWilds’ new mount, a companion that appears essential to the core gameplay. Assisting the player in traversing across a wide expanse in a manner reminiscent ofRise’s Palamute mounts, these new dinosaur creatures seem to be even more important. Not only will it be key to traversal through its ability to fly, but the presence of an additional weapon and a bedroll on its back could mean that this mount may act as a mini-camp of sorts. IfWildsmakes the full jump into an open world, it stands to reason that a portable camp would be a natural fit.
Biomes at the Forefront in a Fresh Way
The variousbiomes ofMonster Hunterhave been significant parts of the series since its beginning, butWildscould be reinterpreting them in a daunting manner. The player appeared to run from a sort of avalanche in the trailer, but reaching safety above it revealed that this dust storm of debris may have acted as a terraforming phenomenon. The biome became visually altered from this wave of force, becoming more lush with grass after it initially resembled a desert. There’s no telling how far it will push terraforming, but manipulating the environment itself is a feature thatMonster Hunter Wildscan only attempt as a current-gen title.
Monster Hunter Rise
WHERE TO PLAY
Rise to the challenge and join the hunt in this high-flying addition to the Monster Hunter series. The worldwide hit series Monster Hunter returns with a host of new gameplay features, original monsters and a story inspired by ancient Japanese folklore. Personalise your hunter, choose from 14 unique weapon types, recruit your Palico Felyne and all-new Palamute Canyne companions, and gear up to explore a range of vast, richly detailed hunting maps. Whether you prefer to go solo or enjoy the company of a four-person squad, smart difficulty scaling guarantees a fair and thrilling battle. The irresistible Monster Hunter loop remains, with each successul hunt yielding the materials required to craft and upgrade your weapons and armour, allowing you to hunt tougher monsters and gather more precious resources. All versions of Monster Hunter Rise grant immediate access to a wealth of free title update content, including an additional story ending, new monsters, extra gear and more.
