AtanariaThe Monster Hunter series has always been about the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of crafting new gear from your fallen foes, and the sheer spectacle of battling massive, awe-inspiring creatures. Monster Hunter Wilds continues this tradition, but with a more welcoming approach that streamlines the hunting experience like never before. While it excels in making every aspect of gameplay smoother, it also trims down the challenge so much that even the most fearsome monsters feel more like sparring partners than true threats.
A World That Breathes and Shifts
One of Wilds’ biggest draws is its expansive, interconnected world. No longer are you hopping between isolated zones with loading screens—each biome flows into the next, from sun-scorched deserts to icy peaks, creating a more immersive hunting ground. The dynamic weather system adds even more life to these environments, with landscapes transforming in dramatic ways. Watching a desert shift from a dusty wasteland to a storm-wracked battlefield and then bloom into a verdant oasis is breathtaking. While these changes don’t heavily impact gameplay, they do affect which monsters appear, keeping hunts fresh and visually spectacular.
Smoother Hunts, But at What Cost?
Wilds refines nearly every system that could have been considered tedious in previous games. The days of returning to town after every hunt to prepare for the next battle are gone—you now have everything you need right in the field. Food buffs last longer, loading screens are minimal, and Support Hunters (AI-controlled allies) ensure solo players never feel alone. The result is a game that prioritizes accessibility, letting you jump from one hunt to the next with almost no downtime.
However, in this pursuit of smoothness, Wilds has also removed much of the challenge that made past entries so rewarding. The campaign is surprisingly short, clocking in at just 15 hours—less than half of Monster Hunter: World’s main story runtime. Worse yet, not once did I find myself truly tested; I never hit a wall that forced me to rethink my strategy, upgrade my gear, or learn a monster’s moveset through trial and error. This lack of difficulty might make Wilds more inviting for newcomers, but veterans may find it disappointingly tame.
