While it has never officially been labelled a live-service experience, the Monster Hunter series continues to serve as one of the best examples of the model done right. Post-launch, the franchise consistently receives a steady stream of updates from Capcom, ranging from minor cosmetic additions to major new features and monsters to hunt. For PC players, the latest update for Monster Hunter Wilds offers more than just new beasts to take down.
After much anticipation, Free Title Update 2 for Monster Hunter Wilds is now available across all platforms as a free download. In addition to introducing two new monsters in Lagiacrus and Seregios, PC players will find the update significant thanks to several crucial performance enhancements.
These changes are especially important considering Capcom’s sluggish response in addressing performance issues on PC. This slow action has been one of the primary reasons behind the game’s ongoing struggle with negative reviews on Steam, despite praise for its content and gameplay innovations.
Monster Hunter Wilds on PC
Among the most notable improvements is Capcom’s decision to overhaul the way shader compilation works. Previously, shaders were compiled in real-time as players progressed through the game, often leading to stutters and inconsistent frame rates. With the new update, shader compilation now occurs during the game’s initial startup. While this results in slightly longer loading times at launch, it significantly improves overall performance and ensures a smoother gameplay experience.
In addition, Capcom claims to have reduced VRAM usage during texture streaming, a welcome change for players with limited hardware resources when playing Monster Hunter Wilds. The update also introduces a more accurate VRAM usage estimator to help players better understand their system’s resource load. Furthermore, support for NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 4 has been added for compatible graphics cards, allowing for enhanced performance and image quality.
Unfortunately, these efforts have yet to make a substantial impact on the game’s reputation on Steam. As of now, Monster Hunter Wilds continues to hold an Overwhelmingly Negative rating, reflecting ongoing player dissatisfaction despite Capcom’s continued support and improvements. Hopefully, this latest update will help move the needle in the right direction.
