Review and Rating - Gameplay Impressions

This is a full review of Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds). It includes ratings and gameplay impressions, categorized by different aspects to see if the game is worth playing.

Monster Hunter Wilds Ratings

Our rating for Monster Hunter Wilds is 9.5 out of 10. The beta versions have kept our expectations for the released version very high.

The Long-Awaited Release

The latest installment in the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Wilds, has finally been released! After a two and a half year wait since Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, it brings over 10 new monsters, along with exciting new features like weapon switching during combat and dynamic maps with changing environments.

Metacritic Score

*Score from May 22, 2025

Metacritic announced that 'Monster Hunter Wilds' received a Metascore of 88 points. Metascore is a compilation of scores from other review sites including major media outlets.

Gameplay Impressions & Reviews

An Immersive Story Experience

This game strongly emphasizes its story, offering a rich narrative alongside the traditional hunting experience. The Hunter protagonist comes with a voiceover, and Palicos can now speak human language. You can choose dialogue options during the story, which adds a deep level of immersion. The transition between story sequences and gameplay, such as hunting, is seamless, ensuring the immersion remains uninterrupted.

Connections to Previous Titles

In this game, several characters that appear to be from MH4 make an appearance, along with terms like 'Forbidden Land', hinting at a strong connection. If you've played MH4, you'll likely smile at many familiar moments.

A Variety of New and Returning Monsters

This game also introduces many new monsters, with over 10 new monsters revealed so far. Additionally, several monsters that haven't appeared in recent titles, such as Yian Kut-Ku and Gypceros, make a return.

Arkveld: A Challenging Fight

Arkveld, known as the 'The White Wraith' is the main monster in this game. It features whip-like attacks using its chain-winged appendages, which have a long reach, making its attack range very wide. Despite its massive size, it moves swiftly, requiring players to maintain an appropriate distance while carefully timing their dodges to avoid its attacks. Arkveld is a formidable opponent that demands precise strategy and execution.

Weapons with Various New Moves Added

This game features 14 weapon types, the same as previous titles. However, all weapons have received new attack motions and actions, allowing even experienced players to enjoy a fresh hunting experience. For example, the Hammer can now transition from a fully charged attack into a new move called Mighty Charge, and it also allows sidestep movement while maintaining a charged state.

Switch Between Two Weapons

A major addition to hunting is the ability to switch weapons. Along with your primary weapon, you can equip a secondary weapon on the Seikret and swap between them during battle. While switching requires briefly disengaging to mount the Seikret, it allows you to adapt to different situations by switching between melee and ranged weapons as needed.

Skills for Both Armor and Weapons

Previously, skills were tied to armor and accessories, but in Monster Hunter Wilds, skills are now also attached to weapons.

Dynamic New Actions Added

New actions have been added, including 'Focus Mode' which allow you to target glowing Wounds or 'Power Clash' which triggers when guarding an attack, and 'Offset Attacks' which let you counter and break your opponent's stance. When successful, these actions trigger flashy effects and create opportunities for follow-up attacks, creating a dynamic and thrilling hunting experience.

There are Fewer High-Mobility Actions

The Clutch Claw from Monster Hunter: World/Iceborne and the Wirebugs from Monster Hunter Rise do not appear in this game. There are fewer actions in this game that have that kind of agile movement.

A Vast Map Worth Exploring

This game features many three-dimensional and dynamic fields. Each map is twice the size of those in the previous title, and the environment changes over time, affecting the monsters that appear, as well as environmental features and gathering materials. This makes the maps highly rewarding to explore.

Accept Quests Without Returning to Base

Attacking a monster on the map will automatically start a quest. You can also receive quest rewards on the spot, enabling you to enjoy seamless exploration and hunting without having to return to the base.

You Can Attack While Riding Seikret

In this game, the riding companion 'Seikret' allows the Hunter to attack while mounted. Close-range weapons can execute two types of attacks: Riding Attack and Jumping Attack, while Ranged Weapons enable shooting while riding the Seikret.

Exploration is Also Very Easy

Similar to the Palamute in Monster Hunter Rise, you can automatically move to set Waypoints and collect items while riding. In this game, you can toggle the map on and off with a single button, and all monsters and gathering spots are marked on the map, making exploration much easier when combined with the auto-move feature.

Less Control Over Seikret

Your Seikret moves automatically even when you release the control stick, and there is a slight lag after pressing the button when stopping or accelerating. The controls are not as intuitive as it could be, so if you are used to Rise's Palamute, you may find it less controllable.

NPC Support Hunter Helps with Hunt

Support Hunters are NPC Hunters that accompanies quests like 'Followers' from the previous game, Sunbreak. When other players are not available to answer to your SOS Flare, Support Hunters will join the battle to fill in there place. You can also change settings so that SOS Flares only call Support Hunters, which is useful for people who want a multiplayer experience without involving real players.

Monster Hunter Wilds Related Articles

Useful Tips

Story	Quest List	All Monsters List	Full Map Guide
Side Mission	Materials	Cooking	Character Presets
Weapon List	Armor List	Charm List	Decoration List
Beginner Weapon	Beginner Armor	Weapon Tier List	Armor Tier List
Artian Weapons	Layered Armor List	Mantles List	Kinsect List
Skill List	Best Skills	Set Bonus	Group Skill
Layered Armor Outfit

Monster

New Monsters

Returning Monsters

Tempered Monster

Frenzied Monster

Quest Information

Optional Quest

Field Survey

Palico・Seikret

Palico

Seikret

Palico Equipment

Palico Layer Armor

Map

Locations
Camp	Ores	Fishing Spots	Bonepiles
Slinger	Endemic Life	Rare Species	-
Facilities
Training Area	Provisions	Blacksmith	Ingredient Center

Windward Plains	Scarlet Forest	Oilwell Basin
Iceshard Cliffs	The Grand Hub	-

Material/Items

Monster Materials	Ore Materials	Bone Materials	Fish Materials
Insect Materials	Plant Materials	Cooking Materials	Special Items
Armor Spheres	Decorations	Tickets	Crafting

Bulletin Board

Multiplayer Forum

Hunter Profile Card

Useful Articles