As one of Steam's most eagerly anticipated pre-orders, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to be a colossal addition to the franchise. For those stepping into the world of Monster Hunter for the first time with Wilds, the series' depth and complexity might seem daunting. While Wilds will likely offer a comprehensive tutorial, diving into a previous game can enhance your understanding and enjoyment. Before embarking on the vast and perilous journey of Monster Hunter Wilds, we highly recommend experiencing the 2018 masterpiece, Monster Hunter: World.
Our recommendation of Monster Hunter: World isn't driven by a need to follow a narrative thread; rather, it's because World mirrors the style and structure of Wilds more closely than any other game in the series. By playing World, you'll familiarize yourself with the intricate systems and the engaging gameplay loop that define Monster Hunter. This preparation will make your transition into Wilds smoother and more enjoyable.
Why Monster Hunter: World?
If you're familiar with Capcom's recent releases, you might wonder whether you should play Monster Hunter Rise, the latest entry in the series, instead of revisiting Monster Hunter: World. While Rise is indeed a fantastic game, Wilds appears to be a direct evolution of World rather than Rise. Rise introduced innovative mechanics like rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple, but these came at the cost of the expansive, seamless zones that World offered. Designed initially for the Nintendo Switch, Rise focused on speed and smaller zones, accelerating the hunt-upgrade-hunt cycle but sacrificing some of the scale and immersive exploration that World provided. Wilds seems intent on recapturing and expanding upon these elements, making World the ideal precursor.
Monster Hunter: World features large, interconnected zones and emphasizes tracking monsters within a detailed ecosystem, setting the stage for the expansive areas in Wilds. This is why World serves as the perfect primer for what's to come. The expansive zones, which serve as arenas for prolonged, thrilling hunts across diverse landscapes, are where the modern Monster Hunter experience truly shines. Wilds is expected to deliver on this promise, but why wait when you can get an early taste in World?
Although Wilds is not a direct narrative continuation of World, the storytelling and campaign structure in World will align your expectations with what Wilds has in store. You'll encounter core elements like the Hunter's Guild and the beloved Palicos, which will also appear in Wilds. These elements, much like recurring motifs in the Final Fantasy series, are familiar yet distinct in each entry, allowing Wilds to put its own unique spin on these classics.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Beyond gaining a preliminary understanding of the Monster Hunter universe and its campaign structure, the most compelling reason to play Monster Hunter: World first is to master its challenging combat. Wilds will feature 14 unique weapons, each with distinct playstyles and strategies. All these weapons are also available in World, offering a perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with them. Whether you're drawn to the agility of the dual blades or the brute force of the greatsword, World is an excellent training ground for mastering these weapons. By the time you reach Wilds, you'll be well on your way to becoming a skilled hunter.
In the Monster Hunter series, your weapon defines your role on the battlefield. Unlike traditional RPGs, where character progression is tied to experience points, your abilities and stats in Monster Hunter are determined by your weapon. Each weapon acts like a class or job, shaping your approach to every hunt. World teaches you how to upgrade weapons using parts from defeated monsters and navigate the weapon tree to reach higher-tier options.
Moreover, World emphasizes strategic combat over button mashing. Understanding where to strike on a monster's body is crucial, whether you're using a Longsword to sever tails or a Hammer to stun enemies. This knowledge will give you a significant advantage in Wilds. Additionally, the Slinger, a versatile tool on your hunter's arm, enhances combat with gadgets and ammunition. Learning when to use Flash Pods or poison knives can turn the tide of battle, and this skill will transfer directly to Wilds.
Mastering the gameplay loop in World involves tracking monsters, gathering resources like ore and honey, and preparing for the hunt. This routine becomes second nature and will give you a solid foundation for the tempo of hunts in Wilds.
AnswerSee ResultsEach hunt in Monster Hunter is a deliberate journey, not a quick kill. From learning to evade the fiery breath of Anjanath to strategizing against the explosive Bazelgeuse, understanding the nuances of these creatures is key. With Wilds aiming to capture the scope and scale of these adventures, World stands as the perfect training ground.
For an added incentive, if you import save data from World into Wilds, you can unlock free Palico armor, and even more if you have data from the Iceborne expansion. While dressing up your Palico might seem minor, it's a fun perk.
Although it's not mandatory to play a previous Monster Hunter game before starting Wilds, the series' unique systems and mechanics are best learned through experience. While Capcom continues to refine the learning curve with each new release, there's no better way to prepare for Wilds than by playing Monster Hunter: World. As Wilds launches on February 28, 2025, now is the perfect time to dive into World and immerse yourself in the Monster Hunter community and its rich vernacular.
