On Feb. 28, the video game “Monster Hunter Wilds” was released to a widely positive reception. The thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of each successful takedown and the steady progression of unlocking better gear and stronger monsters to face make the gameplay one-of-a-kind. Yet, PC specific performance issues and frame drops marred the experience for many. However, despite these optimization issues, the overall quality of the game, with new gameplay mechanics, the semi-open world approach, a beautiful soundtrack and the continued allure of the addicting hunting gameplay loop, forces me to recommend it as a near-perfect game (as long as your PC can run it).
As is the case with any game, the core of its quality lies in its gameplay loop, and “Monster Hunter Wilds” continues the franchise’s tradition of addictive, action-packed hunts. Players are tasked with hunting massive, mythical creatures by utilizing a wide array of weapons and tools. On top of the franchise’s well-polished existing mechanics, the game introduces several new ones that make the combat fresh for experienced players and dynamic for all. These include counters, attacks and altered movesets for each weapon.
The combat is fast-paced, rewarding and precise, making each hunt a dangerous dance. Whether it’s using the longsword’s slashes or the bow’s ranged attacks, each of the game’s 13 weapons has its own unique experience, allowing for both customizability and replayability of the game, guaranteeing innumerable hours of fun.
One of the franchise’s greatest strengths has always been its incredible monster designs, and “Monster Hunter Wilds” is no exception. Among the new additions, Rey Dau and Arkveld stand out as two memorable monsters that embody the game’s spirit.
Rey Dau, a terrifyingly massive yet agile creature, takes full advantage of the improved weather mechanics, using the power of lightning as its weapon of choice. The monster’s design is covered in sharp edges and mixed with fluid movements, making every encounter exciting.
Arkveld, on the other hand, is an absolute force of nature — a beast with an ancient energy coursing through its veins, making it visually imposing and awe-inspiring. The monster uses the bone chainblades on its arms to swing at you from range, often leaving explosions in its wake.
These new monsters serve as living testaments to the art of creature design. By blending visual passion with engaging gameplay mechanics, they heighten the tension and excitement of the hunt.
“Monster Hunter Wilds” introduces several fresh mechanics that give players more control over their battles. One of the standout features is the ability to wound specific areas of a monster. By repeatedly targeting any spot on the monster, you can create wounds that increase damage taken there. Each weapon also has special moves that “pop” wounds to deal a burst of damage.
Another new feature is the dynamic control over weapon swings using focus mode, which stands out most with the game’s heavier weapons. Now, players can influence the direction of their strikes more fluidly, making it easier to land devastating blows while positioning themselves strategically. This level of control grants players more options during combat, elevating the depth of the gameplay.
Yet, nothing is quite as immersive as a powerful soundtrack, and “Monster Hunter Wilds” delivers in spades. The orchestral pieces, with soaring strings and commanding brass, enhance the grandeur of the world. As you walk through the quiet beauty of nature or fight intense battles against monstrous beasts, the soundtrack mirrors the scale and stakes of every moment, turning it into art.
Contributing further to a beautiful experience, the semi-open world of “Monster Hunter Wilds” offers players a stunning variety of environments to explore. The diverse landscapes include lush forests, scorching deserts, rolling grasslands, frozen tundras, treacherous volcanic areas and eerie wetlands. Each biome is rich with detail, filled with endemic life and displays the game’s commitment to creating a world that feels both vast and alive.
However, while Monster Hunter Wilds excels in nearly every other aspect, its PC performance issues have been problematic for many players. Unless the player uses the lowest settings, frame drops are common, making it difficult to enjoy the game at its full potential. Many players have reported that these performance problems are confined to the PC version, while console players on PS5 and Xbox Series X have enjoyed smooth gameplay without similar technical difficulties.
The game’s performance hiccups on PC are frustrating, especially since the game has so much to offer visually. For those with medium to high-end PCs, the game runs fairly well with medium graphics, but for players with less powerful machines, the experience can be quite disappointing. It’s quite unfortunate since these technical issues are a stain on what could otherwise be a flawless experience.
Monster Hunter Wilds stands out as an incredibly well-designed and captivating game with a deep combat system, stunning monster designs, beautiful orchestral music and a richly detailed world to explore. If you’re fortunate enough to own a good PC or a next-gen console like the PS5 or Xbox Series X, this game is highly recommended.
