15 hours in, Monster Hunter Wilds has relieved my anxiety from Rise – this really is my Monster Hunter World 2

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Initially, Monster Hunter Worlds gave me some apprehension. Frankly, I wasn’t confident if I would eventually give it a try. Despite my long-standing curiosity about the Monster Hunter series, I only managed to spend as much time as I could tolerate with Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate on the New Nintendo 3DS’ second joystick. The series has always had an intriguing allure combined with an intimidating reputation – large, challenging boss fights, hardcore online gamers, and complex menus.

– I didn’t fully appreciate Monster Hunter until I played World, with its interconnected maps and intuitive navigation, not to mention my fondness for the hammer was rekindled. Excited for Monster Hunter Rise, it didn’t resonate with me. Fortunately, I didn’t abandon the series altogether – after completing most of the campaign in Monster Hunter Sunbreak (a term I use as a stand-in for Wilds), it feels like the long-awaited sequel to World that I’ve been eagerly anticipating. Armed with hammer(s) once again, I’m happy to share: I’m hunting monsters once more.

Rise above

I’ve had a bit of trouble getting into Monster Hunter Rise, despite seeing others really enjoy it and knowing it’s a great game. When I played, I found myself feeling quite anxious because there seemed to be something I was missing or misunderstanding. It could be that I started playing the PS port later than Switch players, making me feel out of sync. Alternatively, it might have been the abundance of new features like Palamutes and Wirebugs that left me feeling overwhelmed. Or perhaps it was the vertical maps, the complex menus back at base, the unexpected tower defense sections, or even just the overall stressfulness of the game that turned me off.

It’s possible that I was the one struggling with the game – I’ve watched friends excel at it without any trouble, but for some reason, it didn’t resonate with me. Prior to this experience, Monster Hunter: World left a lasting impression on me. The upgrade from Nintendo 3DS to PlayStation 4 was a noticeable improvement, making the game feel more luxurious, and the quality-of-life enhancements were very appealing. Additionally, the engaging storyline captivated me, guiding me through my transformation from a rookie hunter to someone who could hold their own.

In Monster Hunter Rampage, while it may not have the groundbreaking impact as Monster Hunter: World initially did, its early gameplay hours successfully spark a profound sense of amazement and admiration in me. The maps are vast and the aesthetics are breathtakingly beautiful. Previously accustomed to transitioning from base camp to expedition, I had doubts about having camps integrated within each region, but it effectively enhances the perception that these regions are living spaces teeming with monsters, rather than simply materializing when embarking on a quest.

Even though Monster Hunter Wilds experiences varied seasons and weather across its extensive, sprawling zones, it never feels overpowering. This is largely due to the presence of Seikrets, swift raptor-like mounts that navigate quickly, use shortcuts, and can automatically travel towards a target or circle around it while avoiding damage. You can always call your pal to pick you up if you feel lost, ensuring you’re never truly stranded. Additionally, in a pinch, you can retreat from combat to sharpen your weapon or restore health without leaving yourself vulnerable. Furthermore, NPC Hunters also join the fray, acting as stand-ins for multiplayer interaction with story characters who can fill in when needed while searching for online players, making the gameplay experience more manageable and enjoyable.

Personally, I absolutely adore the way combat has been refined in Monster Hunter Wilds. It’s incredibly intuitive now; I can quickly grasp the mechanics of any of the 14 weapons I test out, and the intricate combo chains they provide are easier to master than ever. The controls are so clearly laid out that I know exactly which buttons to press and when to execute moves, and transitioning between different combos feels seamless as one animation flows effortlessly into another without a hitch.

During intense battles against monsters in Monster Hunter, there are significant instances where I momentarily pause my relentless strikes to activate the new focus mode and strike vulnerable spots on the monster. This newly added feature is impressive as it highlights areas with high damage, enhancing the effectiveness of targeted attacks and usually causing the monster to stumble. Unlike other games, Monster Hunter creatures do not have health bars, so these visible wounds serve as important indicators of progress in combat. These injuries provide brief moments of accomplishment during prolonged fights, allowing hunters to pause their attack chains with flair, making us feel more immersed in the action.

In a fresh, intuitive way, Monster Hunter Rise seems to be an intelligent progression, going back to the roots of Monster Hunter: World to enhance previous elements. Every subtle yet insightful adjustment significantly enhances what was there before, making this the standard for Monster Hunter games moving forward. Just like a hunter tracking its quarry, Capcom has gained more understanding about their goals, and with Monster Hunter Rise, they’ve executed their best performance to date.

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2025-02-28 21:09