Monster Hunter Wilds Isn’t A Soulslike, But Dark Souls Was The Perfect Preparation

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Instead of constantly gripping the keyboard, let me clarify something for you. You might be thinking that the phrase “comparing the hot new thing to Dark Souls” is an overused trope dating back a decade, and you’re probably ready to unleash your anger in a comment or email. However, allow me to dispel any misunderstandings. Although Monster Hunter Rise isn’t classified as a “Soulslike,” I must admit that my experience with the Souls series has surprisingly proven quite beneficial for navigating this new Capcom title.

In both games, there’s a consistent pattern to every fight that demands you closely observe your adversary and grasp their movement sequence to identify the ideal opportunity – be it for healing or delivering a strike. Stamina is pivotal, and mastering its management amidst the chaos of combat while keeping an eye on all other systems is essential. Furthermore, each weapon has a unique set of moves, and adapting to the weight and speed of your equipment can determine whether you live or die.

It’s a little more forgiving in Monster Hunter so far. Enemies don’t hit as hard, and there’s more room for mistakes. But each fight is still incredibly tense.

The core philosophy between the two games is also incredibly similar. There’s a triumph to conquering a fight after a gruelling bout of trial and error, and an uplifting co-operative spirit as you find disparate players coming and going throughout base camp, summoning them to your aid when the going gets tough. It’s comfortingly familiar, and has made a series I’ve long been put off by so incredibly welcoming.

I Love Being Confused And Not Understanding Anything

It’s important to note that while the combat in Monster Hunter Worlds might seem similar to Soulslike games, they are fundamentally different in their core structure. Unlike Dark Souls where you progress by battling a series of weaker enemies from checkpoint to checkpoint until encountering a boss, in Monster Hunter, you’re given contracts and head straight into the enemy’s territory. You go after them instead of waiting for them to come to you.

Apart from that point, the absence of health bars in Monster Hunters significantly alters the strategy you employ during combat.

During each combat encounter, there’s a greater need for strategic thinking since the camp serves as a place to strategize and customize your character before each chase. Here, you stockpile traps, potions, food, and equipment, all of which are carefully selected based on your target.

Despite my honesty, I must admit that I’m quite new to this hunting business, and it feels as if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. The menus, stats, and jargon seem endless, pouring out from every corner of the user interface. It’s all a bit too much, and figuring out what I should do at camp to prepare for each hunt is like fighting an uphill battle. I appreciate simplicity, and moving away from the bonfire is easy enough. However, leaving camp fills me with unease.

Reminiscing that eerie, nostalgic apprehension, I can’t help but be reminded of the time I first dove into the world of Dark Souls. Just like now, the intricate web of equipment load, poise, online systems, individual stats, and a myriad of other mind-boggling mechanics left me feeling as though my brain was on the verge of implosion. Yet, amidst that swirling fog of confusion, there was an undeniable allure.

When it finally made sense, when I could navigate its labyrinthine depths with ease, it was a triumph like no other in any game I’ve ever known. That moment of clarity, of finally understanding the game’s enigmatic ways, was worth every frustrating hour spent struggling to comprehend.

Initially drawn into Monster Hunter by the appeal of its intense combat, I found myself utterly confused. Yet, I’m eager to stumble, misinterpret things, and make a fool of myself for 100 hours. The reason being, when that elusive ‘aha!’ moment arrives, it will evoke a sensation I haven’t experienced in a long time. Dark Souls wasn’t just a precursor to Monster Hunter’s combat; it equipped me with the readiness to embrace being lost in the darkness, struggling like a newborn baby wielding a mace.

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2025-03-07 23:29