February is about to welcome one of the biggest video game releases of the year. Followed by hardcore fans since its debut in 2004 and adored by the general public since its blockbuster opus in 2018, the Monster Hunter franchise is preparing the ground for its most ambitious episode to date. With Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom is betting on offering an experience tailored to all types of players. And it is by following the path traced by Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise that this next-gen sequel intends to achieve this.
Improvements in gaming comfort, ever more advanced hunting mechanics, a more immersive environment than ever… Monster Hunter Wilds makes big promises, but will it manage to keep them? The various beta sessions have not yet been able to answer this question, since the content offered is still too limited. In order to be able to answer the latest concerns of players a few days before the launch – scheduled for February 28 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series – Capcom invited us to discover this new opus in all its splendor during a preview session. After more than 3 hours of play on a PS5 version still in development, here are the major points that caught our attention and reassured us.
A title with a more natural structure
Until now, Monster Hunter has always stuck to the same structure which, although effective for a while, ended up burn out. Why limit these games to a hub and a few maps when they are the most capable of taking advantage of an open world? For a franchise as cult as this one, changing the habits of long-time fans is a risky approach, but it was high time to refresh the recipe. Who still wants to launch missions from a quest menu in 2025?
As noted during the beta testing sessions, the clear separation between the main hub and the rest of the game is no longer, which allows Monster Hunter Wilds to enjoy a much more enjoyable pace. The storyline blends seamlessly into a barely perceptible gameplay loop, so much so that we wondered when the game would actually begin… Until we opened the quest journal in which several main missions had already been completed. The sense of adventure provided by Monster Hunter has never been more effective than when it frees itself from the usual passage through an NPC. This is the first time that we let ourselves be carried away so easily by the main story of the game, usually put aside in favor of the gameplay. No compromises this time: all aspects of the game can shine at their true value.
A game that lives up to its name
Monster Hunter: Wilds is far from being a name chosen at random. Since the first presentations of the game, Capcom has focused on the game's ecosystem as well as its living and evolving world. But the immersion in this video game experience is not limited to a few weather effects and biomes that are more real than life. This opus is a real breath of fresh air that reinvigorates the franchise. In addition to the smoother flow of the gaming experience, the universe is also more convincing than ever. In the camp, the NPCs call out to each other, chat with each other and try to attract the player's attention. In nature, the behavior of the monsters and their animations reach a level of astonishing realism: it is even possible to distinguish the blinking of the wyverns' eyes!
This kind of addition may seem trivial on paper, but with the controller in hand, the magic happens and proves that small details can make all the difference. Especially since surprising efforts on the game's localization side reinforce this whole thing. The French script of Monster Hunter Wilds is perfectly adapted and full of jokes and dialogues, each more effective than the last, that the voice actors manage to interpret to perfection. Moreover, if the dialogues of the Felyne companions can disturb long-time fans at first, it is clear that the character of these little beasts hits the mark. If you can get used to it, don't mute their voices in the options or you'll miss out on some hilarious moments.
Long-awaited quality improvements
The Monster Hunter franchise is known for its gameplay that is both satisfying and boring. The monster fights always had their effect, but the rest of the experience sometimes felt too unfair, complex or repetitive. Monster Hunter Worldhad already launched a colossal work of modernization and Wilds is the pinnacle. The menus are more pleasant to navigate, some services like ceremonial armor are easily accessible and the heart of the gameplay – exploration, hunting and improving equipment – has never been so natural.
We were able to face a wider variety of monsters than those offered in the beta and all have proven to be as fun as they are interesting to hunt. Some iconic creatures benefit from new attacks and interactions with the environment, while the new additions to the bestiary are more original than ever. The most striking improvement, however, remains the versatility offered by the Seikrets, the game's new mounts. Very clearly inspired by the Chumsky from Monster Hunter Rise, these reptiles come with two major advantages: automatic movement (which the player is free to deactivate) and the carrying of a secondary weapon.
This simple overhaul puts an end to endless quests due to an unsuitable arsenal. Speaking of weapons, players will not fail to enjoy discovering the new abilities of their favorite archetypes. Special mention goes to the bows, which benefit from a new, more fun and strategic approach, while being more accessible than before.
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