Monster Hunter Wilds Review: A Wild Ride, But Is It Too Tame?

by Luis February 24, 2025

The Monster Hunter series has always been about the thrill of the hunt—epic battles against towering beasts, mastering weapon combos, and the satisfaction of carving up your latest conquest for better gear. With Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom has expanded the formula yet again, introducing sprawling new environments, new mechanics, and a more accessible approach to the hunt. While these changes open the gates for newcomers, longtime fans might find that some of the traditional challenge has been left in the dust.

Monster Hunter Wilds Review: A Wild Ride, But Is It Too Tame?

Capcom has outdone itself with the setting of Monster Hunter Wilds. The game drops players into a beautifully realized open-world ecosystem, teeming with life and filled with breathtaking landscapes. The transition between biomes is seamless, creating a truly immersive hunting ground where every step brings new surprises. The wildlife behaves dynamically, with monsters clashing in brutal territory wars, herds of creatures moving in packs, and weather conditions shifting to impact encounters. It’s a technical and artistic marvel, capturing the thrill of a living, breathing world where danger lurks around every corner.

Wilds introduces several new mechanics to enhance the hunting experience. The biggest addition is the Seikret mount, a versatile rideable creature that allows players to traverse the vast landscapes faster, track monsters more efficiently, and even engage in combat without dismounting. This feature alone makes exploration feel more fluid and exciting, but it also removes some of the endurance-based tracking that made previous Monster Hunter games so methodical.

Another major change is the Focus targeting system, which helps players lock onto weak points and track monster movements with greater ease. While this is a boon for newcomers who might struggle with the precise aiming required in past games, veterans may find it takes some of the skill-based nuance out of combat. Where previous entries demanded that players study monster behavior and adjust their strategy accordingly, Wilds feels like it’s handing out a few too many shortcuts.

There’s no denying that Monster Hunter Wilds has streamlined the experience. Some of the franchise’s more punishing mechanics—such as harsh stamina depletion and complex crafting systems—have been softened, making it easier to pick up and play. This is great for drawing in new players, but it also raises the question: Has Monster Hunter lost some of its soul?

For longtime fans, the joy of Monster Hunter is in the grind—the hard-earned victories that come from mastering a weapon, learning a monster’s patterns, and scraping by on the thinnest margins of success. Wilds still offers plenty of challenge, but it occasionally feels like it’s trying to be too accommodating. The risk-reward balance has shifted, and for some, that might make the victories feel a little less satisfying.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a stunning, ambitious evolution of the franchise that will undoubtedly appeal to new players while still offering plenty of content for veterans. The world is more dynamic than ever, the new mechanics streamline the hunt, and the monster battles remain as thrilling as ever. But in making the game more accessible, Capcom may have taken away some of the brutal charm that made Monster Hunter such a unique and rewarding experience.

For players looking to dive into the series for the first time, Wilds is the perfect entry point. For veterans, it’s still an incredible hunt—but one that may feel just a little too easy.

RATING: 4.0 out of 5.

Capcom provided us with a game code for this review.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X on February 28, 2025.