I Don’t Know What Capcom Is Trying to Do Here, but It Looks Bad. I Played Monster Hunter: Wilds

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must confess that my initial impression of Monster Hunter: Wilds at Gamescom was less than stellar. The blurry, ugly visuals left me feeling like I’d been transported back to the early days of PlayStation, and if you know your gaming history, that’s not a good thing!


I’m going to write briefly, because the demo provided at gamescom was short. Monster Hunter is not a game series that is suitable for fair shows – you have little time to present the game, people around are talking and moving, and the specificity of this production does not allow you to understand it without at least a few hours invested in it. So take this into account when reading these short impressions – I could base them on the game’s superficiality, on how it presents itself. And unfortunately, it looks very bad.

Blurred, ugly, frivolous

In the segment you’re referring to, there’s a scene that might be familiar from the web – it begins with a pursuit across a barren desert, where we’re trying to escape these “worms”. At this point, I felt something was amiss, thinking it shouldn’t appear so grim in 2024. The desert is desolate, lacking any significant background activity; the sand, tinted yellow, seems uninteresting, and to add insult to injury, the poor resolution – with minimal polygons on display – made it distressingly hazy.

I Don’t Know What Capcom Is Trying to Do Here, but It Looks Bad. I Played Monster Hunter: Wilds

I played Monster Hunter: Wilds on PS5 and it seemed like they moved the game from Nintendo Switch without much improvement. The frame rate isn’t smooth, and many players are asking if it will run at 60 frames per second on consoles. Unfortunately, during this demo, it struggled to maintain a steady 30 frames. Plus, the falling rocks didn’t look good, and the dust and particle effects appeared dated. If you found the graphics glitches in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PS5 bothersome, then these issues are even more noticeable here, possibly four times as much.

The colors appear dull and worn-out, giving the impression of an old, faded film. It’s reassuring to know that this won’t be the look we’ll have throughout the game, as it seems reminiscent of a memorial rather than the vibrant world we’ve come to expect in Monster Hunter: World. So, why was this particular stage selected to showcase the gameplay at Gamescom? Was there someone who believed it was a wise decision to include a segment that appears to have been created years before Monster Hunter: World went public? After all, Monster Hunter: World was released in 2018…

It’s puzzling why Capcom, with their wealth of experience, talented team, and ample funds, decided to downgrade the graphics of Monster Hunter: World from 2018 standards to a point that, pardon the bluntness, might deter fans. Despite the game looking impressive initially and maintaining its visual appeal, this choice seems unexpected.

Okay, it’s ugly, but is it cool?

Indeed, Monster Hunter is captivating since it offers an immersive experience where players are drawn into the thrill of pursuing massive beasts, exploring landscapes, collecting resources, and crafting advanced gear. The combat style resonates with that of Monster Hunter World (MHW) from 2018, providing a sense of weightiness as you prepare to invest considerable time in perfecting the weapon combos and understanding the unique dynamics of each one. There are a total of 14 distinct weapons to master within the game.

I Don’t Know What Capcom Is Trying to Do Here, but It Looks Bad. I Played Monster Hunter: Wilds

Although I didn’t get a chance to explore the open world in this game, I’m confident it won’t disappoint since it’s Monster Hunter – known for expansive maps featuring diverse biomes, gigantic monsters, and stunning wildlife. From what I experienced in the demo, I can confirm that it retains the classic Monster Hunter feel, as I battled one of the colossal creatures.

“This series consistently maintains a distinctive style that I find captivating, and it’s evident that we can expect extravagant, meticulously designed armor and weaponry again. However, the experience would be even more enjoyable if the graphics were enhanced.”

Perhaps the initial version of the game is outdated or intentionally challenging for hardcore fans, but the recent Gamescom trailer looks more visually appealing, giving hope for a positive experience post-release. However, I remain skeptical, even discouraged due to the current state of the game. Spending money on a 2025 release that appears this poorly wouldn’t be wise, as graphics aren’t everything, but even basic visuals should not deter potential players. Let’s hope it was just an oversight or a dark jest – the game should not appear this way at launch, as the series could suffer as a result.

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2024-08-26 13:18