4. Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds set out to continue what Monster Hunter World started: making the franchise more approachable for a wider audience. But this time, the changes aimed at casual players did more harm than good. Excessive guidance, constant hand-holding, unskippable cutscenes, and bloated online multiplayer features hampered an otherwise incredible experience filled with breathtaking monsters and awe-inspiring set pieces from camp to the end of each hunt.
The game’s standout feature is its stunning locales–deserts, jungles, and mountain passes–many enhanced by dynamic weather effects. Lightning crackles across the sky, sometimes in the background and sometimes right in front of you, as select monsters clash in fights that make each location feel lived in. Every hunting session is a cinematic wonder. New creatures like the Doshaguma, Arkveld, Ajarakan, and Balahara are thrilling to fight and rewarding to craft armor sets from. The overall plot, especially near its conclusion, proves surprisingly gripping despite the franchise’s usual lack of memorable storytelling. Combat, arguably the most important element of a Monster Hunter game, reaches a series peak.
Wilds might have ranked higher if not for its frustrating multiplayer design. Joining friends for a hunt is a headache from start to finish, and players cannot progress through the story campaign together. You can only join individual hunts early on, with numerous restrictions that last until you’ve invested at least a dozen hours. Some major elements, like character redesigns, require real-world money. Multiplayer–another vital element of any Monster Hunter game–this unintuitive is hard to find in modern gaming. It’s a shame, as actually playing with friends is a joyful experience.
Series veterans have a long list of other complaints, including the idea that Wilds is far easier than previous entries in the series. A new wound system, the reduction of monster abilities, and monster auto-tracking make monsters far less intimidating to fight. None of that erases the fact that Monster Hunter Wilds remains an incredible adventure and a worthy entry in Capcom’s hallmark franchise. It didn’t surpass World or other top games on this ranking, though, as many expected it would.
Check out our Monster Hunter Wilds review.
