Review: Monster Hunter Wilds

Of all the remarkable titles in Capcom's impressive portfolio, the Monster Hunter franchise stands out, with Monster Hunter: World at the forefront, boasting millions of copies sold. The next chapter in the saga has come with Wilds, an epic RPG that promises to be the series' most extraordinary adventure yet.

Although I joined the Monster Hunter series a bit late, having only played World in recent years, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to start as a relative newcomer. Jumping into a long-running series like this can sometimes be overwhelming, but fortunately, that wasn't the case with Wilds. There's no lore dumping to throw you for a loop, nor do the mechanics veer into overly complex territory. Everything is easy to understand, even for someone like me who isn’t the best at RPGs.

Image via Capcom

Monster Hunter Wilds (PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 [reviewed])
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Released: February 28, 2025
MSRP: $69.99

The monster-slaying journey begins with the captivating story of Nata, a young boy in need of rescue after fleeing from a fearsome beast. You'll find him at the borders of the Forbidden Lands, a place once thought to be uninhabited, yet this child claims to have lived there. As a member of the Hunter's Guild, you're tasked with helping Nata find his way back to his lost village and uncover the secrets behind the enigmatic monster that has been tormenting him. Joining alongside you is Alma, your personal Handler who keeps you on track with quests, and Gemma, the smithy extraordinaire who takes care of weapons and armor.

You'll then dive into the one aspect every RPG player has lost themselves in for countless hours: character customization. It's pretty amazing how detailed the Monster Hunter Wilds avatar system is, covering almost every aspect of coloring down to the hue, saturation, and brightness. Sizing is also thrown in there, letting you determine different parts of the body both horizontally and vertically.

Veteran players will encounter classic armor sets, including Leather, Chainmail, and the newly introduced Hope gear. While I am impressed by the realistic designs of the game's characters, the feline companion, Palico, is the real seller. They captured my heart in World, and now they've done so again in Wilds, bringing an adorable charm to its monstrous world. I'm a sucker for cats; what can I say?

Screenshot by Destructoid

Once the avatar customization is taken care of, you'll jump straight into the action as you control the new mount, the Bird Wyvern Seikret. You'll use it to guide you to a tremendous monster showdown, giving you the power to wield one of the 12 weapon types. It's almost impossible for you not to find a weapon designed for your playstyle, from the high-damaging Long Sword to the ranged Heavy Bowgun.

I went with the Dual Blades, one of the best tools any mobile enthusiast could ask for. Wielding it made me feel unstoppable, effortlessly darting across the battlefield and unleashing a flurry of devastating strikes. The moveset to inflict a monster's wound, in particular, is a marvel to watch as you perform a spinning attack across a beast's body. It almost reminds me of the legendary takedowns in Attack on Titan.

Whenever I defeated one of the many creatures in the game, I was ready to tackle the next one immediately. The combat is not only captivating but also incredibly addictive, leaving me craving more after each fight. Initially, I thought the concept of repeatedly defeating monsters might become tedious. However, in all my hours in Monster Hunter Wilds, it never got old. One of the biggest reasons for this is the fact that each monster is different from the last. They all have their own weakness, combat strategies, and a unique environment to switch up the pace every single time.

Image via Capcom

One moment, I’m locked in a brutal showdown with the octopus-like Black Flame amidst the blistering heat of Oilwell Basin, and the next, I’m soaring through the electrified chaos of Windward Plains, facing off against the fearsome Flying Wyvern, Rey Dau. The battlefield is relentless and ever-changing—like I’m Gandalf, standing tall against the Balrog in The Lord of the Rings.

You can bet that each battle becomes more challenging than the last, especially when the monsters are capable of one-hit kills. Luckily, you can rely on support from the multiplayer system or the Palico, who has the makings of one of the best companions I've had in a video game. They always come in clutch with healing and find ways to knock the enemy off their feet with a trap. Plus, you can use the environment to your advantage, from bringing down a pile of rocks onto enemies to using an elemental bug to counter a weakness.

It all becomes even more worth it when it's time to carve up some new gear with the monster pieces you've acquired. I love the anticipation of seeing what new outfit I would unlock with every fight, including a furry armor from the Doshaguma and the reptilian gear of Chatacabra. However, I will admit that the clothing can be unusual, especially with the Palico's K-Pop idol-like outfit. But, hey, a little weirdness never hurt anybody.

When you’re not caught up in the chaos of battle, you’ll find some well-deserved downtime at the Base Camp, where you can explore the vast, sprawling regions. The map is quite massive, offering unique locations like the molten forge of Azuz Village, the secretive Wudwud Hideout nestled deep in Scarlet Forest, and the winter wonderland of Iceshard Cliffs. Each area is teeming with hidden treasures, whether it’s a perfect fishing spot or the thrilling discovery of a new monster. I particularly loved scavenging ingredients and unlocking fresh recipes that added new flavors to my cooking adventures.

Screenshot by Destructoid

The Seikret mount turns travel into a seamless experience, particularly with its handy auto-run feature. Whenever I didn’t need to take in the sights, I’d just mark my waypoint, kick back with some videos on my phone, and let the Seikret do all the heavy lifting. Look, sometimes my attention span can wander during those long treks, so having a feature like this is a lifesaver.

It’s not that the world of Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t breathtaking—it absolutely is. I love how every region shifts and evolves with each biome, adding a variety of colors that blend together quite nicely. The cast of characters also breathes some life into each destination, where there's always a story to uncover at every corner. It's been a treat getting to know the residents across the Forbidden Lands and seeing how each approaches this monster lifestyle differently.

So, whether you’re eager to dive into the Monster Hunter universe for the first time or you’re a long-time fan seeking a new adventure, Monster Hunter Wilds offers everything you need for an unforgettable experience. Capcom has truly outdone itself with yet another exceptional game that you won't want to miss. I enjoyed every minute of my playthrough from start to finish, and there's even more stuff to discover with its fun-filled end-game content.

The year 2025 is shaping up to be a remarkable time for RPGs, with hits like Avowed and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Monster Hunter Wilds will likely seal the deal, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it take the top spot in Capcom's collection.

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