Amidst the hustle and bustle of Tokyo Game Show 2024, one of the standout booths was that of Capcom, and it’s not just about its size. The sheer number of people waiting in line to try out the Japanese gaming giant’s titles was proof of the company’s popularity. Still, without a shadow of a doubt, many were there to see and experience Monster Hunter Wilds, the next entry in the beloved series that is coming out on February 28.
With the help of Capcom Singapore, we were afforded the opportunity to try out two hunts in the early stages of the game, giving us a decent understanding of just what to expect when the actual game is unleashed onto the world. After spending about 90 minutes running through the tutorial and hunting down both the Chatacabra and the Alpha Doshaguma, the best thing to say about Monster Hunter Wilds is that fans will go absolutely crazy over it and rightfully so.
Even in the limited time, it was clear to see just how much detail there is in the world created by Capcom, with the Windward Plains full of sights and sounds that are all useful in different ways. Resources can be gathered to craft useful items, there are interactive points in the environment that can be used to give yourself various advantages, and just looking at life happening all around you is enough to make a hunter giddy with glee.
After picking the Gunlance and Great Sword as the weapons of choice for the first hunt, it didn’t take long for our trusty Seikret mount to track down this amphibian beast. With different weapons offering different moves and patterns of attack, what doesn’t change is how satisfying they are all to wield, even for the ranged options. Getting to grips with Gunlance made it possible to bombard the monster with explosive hits constantly, and at any time, I could call upon the Seikret to make a quick getaway, switch weapons, and even use items like the whetstone and potions to get ready for another round.
That fluidity is truly something to marvel at, with Capcom keen to keep the player’s momentum going even when some downtime is required. Experiencing it firsthand in Monster Hunter Wilds is something else, and it makes for a sustained melody of enjoyable action that hasn’t been achieved before.
It was also interesting to see the wound system in play during the hunts, as repeated attacks on a particular body part can open up wounds. Players can then take advantage by using the Focus mode and targeting that weak point repeatedly, breaking parts off and severely hurting the monster. It will be fun to see just how the various weapons work with Focus mode and the different attacks that come with it, and knowing Capcom, it’s all going to look awesome in motion.
With one hunt done and dusted, it was time to take on the more intimidating Alpha Doshaguma, this time with Dual Blades and Heavy Bowgun. This beast likes to travel in packs, providing the first hint that crowd control is going to be vital in Monster Hunter Wilds. While a handy Dung Pod helped isolate the main target and allowed us to engaged in a challenging bout, it doesn’t take long for conditions to shift and bring into play other elements that will help the game stand out.
Weather conditions brought about significant changes to the environment, as the once bright desert transformed into plains covered by darkness with swirling wind. This was also the cue for packs of Balahara to start appearing and fighting with the Alpha Doshaguma as part of the local ecosystem. It was thrilling trying to be part of the conversation, avoiding the quicksand traps and the massive bodies of both monsters. Just as I was about to separate them both with another strategically aimed Dung Pod, in came the intimidating Rey Dau, the apex predator of the Windward Plains and the source of the sudden lightning storm.
Whether this is how the developers intend the hunt to unfold is a question that can only be answered in time, but the madness of three types of monsters duking it out was breathtaking. It took a while before I regained my senses and tried to lure my target away, continuing the quest to take it down and remove ourselves from the danger posed by the others.
The seamlessness and fluidity created in Monster Hunter Wilds are what really stood out from the time I have with the game, and if this is consistently delivered throughout, this could easily be the best game of the series to date. With massive scale, unique monsters, and a world that just lures you in, it seems like the years fans have spent waiting will be well worth it, and I cannot wait to dive back into Monster Hunter Wilds whenever possible.
Monster Hunter Wilds is set to release on February 28, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Pingback: Gamescom Asia 2024: Diving Deep into Monster Hunter Wilds With Ryozo Tsujimoto ‣ SavePoint Gaming
Pingback: Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta PS5 Pre-Load Available Now ‣ SavePoint Gaming