Monster Hunter Wilds is a Smash Hit – Here’s Why

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It’s clear that “Monster Hunter Rise” is a massive hit, and here’s one reason why: Over eight million copies were sold in just three days, making it the fastest-selling game in the series. To put this into perspective, the previous record holder, “Monster Hunter World,” managed to sell five million digital copies and shipments within the same timeframe. Remarkably, it took “World” nearly seven years to reach 20 million sales, while there’s already speculation that “Rise” could achieve this milestone in its first year.

Despite some criticism over the PC version’s performance, multiplayer issues, and console image quality, the general consensus is that “Monster Hunter World” is a success. But what exactly makes millions of gamers fall in love with it?

To begin with, it’s a fresh installment of the popular game series, “Monster Hunter”. Now, I understand some might disagree, but incorporating the core elements and gameplay from World, along with introducing entirely new, fully-developed monsters with unique mechanics, is a strategy that will undoubtedly appeal to long-time fans. After all the hours I’ve spent battling Great Jagras, I can now engage in combat with the Chactacabra and its unsightly mug. Count me in!

As a newcomer to the Monster Hunter series, I’m simply blown away! Veterans will appreciate the streamlined features like saving Investigations, cooking on-the-go, and swift weapon switching. But even for me, a beginner, the sheer scale of the game and the intricate details are truly impressive. The first time I watched two monsters clash in a Turf War was a sight to behold! And oh boy, when my target effortlessly outmatched its opponents, it left me feeling utterly defeated. This game is a fantastic adventure for both veterans and newbies alike!

The roster stands out in a subtle yet brilliant way by offering a range of mechanics and gradually helping newcomers grasp the different game systems. Chatacabra is essentially a training dummy. No matter how many Tempered levels you increase, it remains unchanged (I’m afraid there’s no fix for that, friend). Quematrice introduces tail sweeps and continuous fire damage, pushing you to make immediate adjustments. Balahara, on the other hand, is like a land-based Leviathan with unexpected moments, teaching you about Waterblight. Lastly, Doshaguma is a brawler, but it can be slow and bulky. Mastering Perfect Guard or dodging correctly becomes crucial to avoid its strongest blows.

As the objectives progress, both familiar foes such as Rathalos and Ebony Odogaron, along with fresh faces like Ajarakan and Xu Wu, make an appearance. Despite your proficiency with certain weapons, they introduce a challenging element that tests your core skills. Additionally, the Guardians introduce unexpected twists to battles, in addition to varying strategies for injuries.

Even though I might have wished for tougher opponents in the endgame, Jin Dahaad (nicknamed Gym Dad by some, a name that baffles me), Arkveld and Uth Duna certainly aren’t pushovers. Among them, it’s Tempered Gore Magala that scares me the most, as each attack from it feels weighty, even when you’re blocking.

However, should you prefer to use a Paralysis Charge Blade or an optimized Light Bowgun configuration for less challenging gameplay, those choices are certainly at your disposal as well.

Let me shift gears and discuss another highly praised feature: The fighting system. The development team has honed it to be the most sophisticated in the series without compromising any intricate details. It’s quite simple to learn how to use most weapons, but mastering their mechanics is a depth that’s truly impressive. The Longsword remains remarkable for its counters and multiple strikes, but with the Spirit Gauge turning red, new moves such as the powerful Crimson Slash become accessible.

For tanking damage and launching barrages of explosive projectiles, Gunlance remains an excellent choice. However, Wyvern Fire offers superior performance, while Wyvernstakes are capable of inflicting critical damage. The Bow allows you to fire tracking shots that zero in on a monster, ensuring all your shots hit the mark. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as maneuvering around a large target with the Greatsword and delivering a powerful finishing blow.

If you’ve got a preferred weapon or three, Wilds offers an impressive collection of fresh possibilities. I’ve discussed at length how severe injuries and Focus Mode are exceptional, and mastering each weapon’s Focus Strike is terrific. However, kudos to the development team for diversifying the weapon-building process with the incorporation of wounds. While stacking Critical Eye, Weakness Exploit, and Attack Boost remains interesting, you’re no longer limited to the same strategy.

To enhance your attacks, try using the Burst move continuously while attacking and Flayer ability, which causes more wounds on monsters. Pair this with a specific armor set that restores health when destroying wounds, and you’ll have a distinct playstyle all your own. If you prefer, you can also build your character to use Perfect Guard with the Gunlance or focus on Offensive Guard or raw damage output.

Let me clarify, there are indeed problems with the game’s title, notably affecting PC performance, particularly for low and mid-range hardware. The multiplayer aspect and Link Parties have made an already robust system quite intolerable, and the user interface could benefit from some additional refining.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, the level of care put into every aspect is truly remarkable, and it’s evident from the character customization screen with its numerous possibilities. Whether you choose to zip through each area or leisurely explore to uncover abundant native creatures such as insect trails on trees or adorable animals balancing on their tails, this attention to detail is evident. This meticulousness also extends to minor elements, like Alma, the Handler, who even strikes a pose for photographs when in frame during certain camera shots.

Watching a Hunter’s interaction with their Palico, as it darts up into their tent roof and falls back down, is quite amusing…and even more so when a Wudwud pops up in its place, strolling out nonchalantly without missing a beat. These animations are scenes that most people may never witness, yet they symbolize the dedication and love poured into this game’s creation by the development team. Their aim was to infuse this game and all its elements with a sense of life and naturalness.

Indeed, the true adventure starts from here as anticipation builds for Monster Hunter: The Wilds. Given its reputation for robust post-release content, fans are eagerly awaiting what’s in store with the introduction of fresh monsters. One such creature, Mizutsune, is set to debut in early April alongside Title Update 1 and the Gathering Hub. However, there’s a twist: a new level of difficulty will be introduced along with it. Title Update 2, scheduled for release this summer, promises an unidentified monster, leaving players excited about upcoming Event Quests.

Although I was somewhat disappointed not to encounter any Elder Dragons yet, I’m confident they’ll be more impactful when they are eventually included. I can’t wait to explore what the developers have in store for Wounded Hollow. It remains to be seen if they will introduce armor sets for that striking monster without any current sets, but I’m eagerly looking forward to it nonetheless.

Despite facing a challenging task in enhancing performance, introducing new material, and managing weapon balances, the development team of Monster Hunter Wilds is building on an incredibly promising foundation. Regardless of personal opinions about the game, it undeniably welcomes a new wave of hunters excited to explore these landscapes, hunt monsters, decorate their camps with various trinkets and furniture, fish, engage in various side quests influenced by time-changing cycles and dynamic weather, or delve into the core endgame – mastering fashion.

*Please remember: The opinions shared within this article belong solely to the author. They do not reflect the collective thoughts or official stance of GamingBolt as a whole.*

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2025-03-07 15:08