I recently got to try the second open beta forMonster Hunter Wildsalongside hundreds of thousands of other players. This is my fourth time trying to get invested in aMonster Huntergame, as I previously playedMonster Hunter Freedom Uniteon the PSP,Monster Hunter Worldon PS4 - and later on PC - andMonster Hunter Riseon the Nintendo Switch. I’ve also played plenty ofMonster Hunterclones, like the ill-fated yet nevertheless creativeWild Hearts, all to little success. As hard as I’ve tried to get into the series and genre as a whole, I’ve really struggled.
I had hoped thatMonster Hunter Wilds’crucial changesto the series' formula would pull me back in. So much of the promotional material suggested that this would be the first time that I’d getMonster Hunterand that I could dedicate myself to its complex systems wholeheartedly. I do genuinely want to love this series more than I have any other unbelievably popular-yet-somehow-still-considered-niche series. I mean, what’s there not to love about smashing hulking monsters with giant swords? However,as hard as I tried,Monster Hunter Wildsand I struggled to get along. Fortunately, that’s probably a good thing.
Monster Hunter Wilds Adds Everything I’ve Ever Wanted
AI Companions & Larger Environments
I love a lot about theMonster Huntergames, from its occasional enjoyable story moments to its well-realized world, great armor and weapon designs, and genuinely terrifying monsters that are a thrill to go up against. However,despite the good, I find there is often too much that I don’t gel with, which ultimately prevents me from properly engaging. For example, as someone who typically prefers to play games alone, hunts can grow tedious as I chip away at my target’s enormous and invisible health bar. Fortunately,Monster Hunter Wilds’many improvementshave seen a lot of my issues fixed.
It has NPC Hunters, which players can call down to help during difficult fights.The open world, whichinitially dividedMonster Hunterfans, is more dynamic now than ever before, allowing for more monsters to roam around. The dynamic weather effects and interactable open-world elements also contribute to more lively and engaging exploration, which in turn makes hunts feel more rewarding. Hunting for materials, a chore I hated in pastMonster Huntergames, is also far less annoying thanks to the seamless environments allowing me to go from the hub area to the open world without a loading screen between.
It is also meant to be more story-heavy, which is something I got a flavor for in theunfortunately interruptedWilds’open beta. All of this and more rectifies many problems I’ve had with the series so far. WhileWorldandRiseto a greater extent - it had a worse version of NPC Hunters in the DLC - have madeMonster Hunterincreasingly accessible to newcomers or those who struggle to enjoy it,Wildsreally is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. That’s why it’s such a shame that I still can’t get into it, despite the many vast improvements.
Monster Hunter Wilds Still Isn’t For Me
I Can’t Quite Come To Terms With Its Combat
I think that theincreased freedom inWildsand the aforementioned improvements have revealed to me, once and for all, thatMonster Hunteris not for me. The fact that everything I’ve ever wanted out of the series has come together in this one entry, and I still can’t enjoy it is illustrative that, despite their best efforts, Capcom has failed to cater to my ridiculously specific and unreasonable requests; not that it should, of course. My biggest issue withMonster Hunter, as I suspect is the same for many others, is the complexity of the combat.
I genuinely believe thatMonster Hunter’scombat has always been technically incredible, and only continues to evolve in impressive ways. It’s varied and fluid, allowing for a plethora of builds that lead to some truly astounding combos being pulled off. Watching players far better than I leap off a monster’s back, twirl in the air, and land with a crushing blow simply never gets old. The sheer amount of effort that has gone into makingMonster Hunter Wilds’animations pop and combat feel fluid, makes it, at least in my opinion,better thanMonster Hunter World.
Monster Hunter Wilds' Second Beta Is Promising, But I’m Still Worried About One Glaring Problem
Monster Hunter Wilds' second beta is painting a great picture for the full game but there is one massive problem for PC players.
However, despite all of that, I cannot wrap my head around it.There’s so much that goes into perfecting anyMonster Huntergame’s combat, from learning how to use and then properly understand its many multifaceted weapons, to the best approach for the each monster.Monster Hunter Wilds’weaponsare adding even more depth and systems that I have struggled to truly master. Of course, dedicating a lot of time to properly learning even one weapon would see me finally understand and likely enjoyMonster Hunter, but I don’t have the time nor patience for that type of investment.
Monster Hunter Wilds Will Be The Perfect MH Game
It’s The Most Accessible Game Yet
However,I think that the fact that I haven’t - at least during the open betas - enjoyedMonster Hunter Wildsis a good thing. The many changes makeWildsthemost accessibleMonster Huntergame, allowing those who perhaps have the time to invest in learning its combat, or those just keen on trying it for the first time, but had previously felt intimidated, to truly get stuck in. Its open-world gameplay will appeal to a wider audience, its NPC Hunters will allow solo players to get involved, and its more dynamic world will help better immerse players.
However, perhaps more importantly,the fact that I continue to struggle to graspMonster Hunter’scomplex combat inWildsis indicative that hardcore veterans are still being catered to.Monster Hunterhasn’t gone the way of other legacy franchises likeThe Elder ScrollsorDragon Ageand stripped away the foundations that made it such an iconic and beloved series in the first place. Rather, it has doubled down on its best and most fundamental aspects while introducing more and more features to broaden its pool of players.
Monster Hunter Wilds May Finally Showcase The True Horror of Gore Magala
It’s little surprise Gore Magala is a fan-favorite monster, although its origins are relatively unexplored despite its popularity across the series.
That’s important if it wants to maintain the impressive100-player lobbies. I think that’s why, despite my tame frustrations, I still enjoyed theMonster Hunter Wildssecond open beta. Don’t get me wrong, I’m unlikely to pre-order the game. However, the fact that Capcom has made such an incredible game that manages to avoid sacrificing its legacy while garnering a new audience is a testament to its passion for theMonster Hunterfranchise. I may not have loved theMonster Hunter Wildsopen beta, but it is clear to me that it will be the greatest game in the series.
