With the release of "Monster Hunter Wilds", Capcom has not only created a new adventure for fans of the series, but also made a controversial decision: Editing the physical appearance of Hunter and Palico will once again be locked behind microtransactions.
If you want to customize your character after the initial creation, you have exactly one free opportunity to do so. After that, it gets expensive: the character customization voucher is available for 6.99 euros. If you also want to customize your companions, the Palicos, this also costs a whopping EUR 7.99 for three vouchers. Alternatively, there is a package for around EUR 9.99 that allows three customizations each for hunters and palicos. These prices are in the PlayStation Store where numerous mini DLCs are already available. So Capcom is wasting no time in cashing in big time.
Why the criticism is justified
At a time when players are expected to pay more and more for cosmetic content, the question arises: where do you draw the line? Microtransactions for skins or optional items have long been part of everyday life, but restricting character customization seems like a step too far. It is particularly irritating that "Monster Hunter Wilds" is a full-price game. So you not only pay for the game itself, but also for basic features that were traditionally free.
Players can still freely customize hair, eyebrow color, make-up and clothing, but those who want a more extensive change will be asked to pay. This contradicts the basic principle of many RPGs, where customization and individualization are part of the experience.
A questionable development in the industry
This model is not new: "Dragons Dogma 2" already had similar restrictions at the beginning. But with each new iteration of a franchise, these boundaries seem to expand further. The problem is not only limited to Monster Hunter limited - more and more studios are relying on microtransactions for features that used to be standard. This shows a worrying trend in the gaming industry: monetization at any price.
Capcom did provide a one-off free voucher for the launch of "Monster Hunter Wilds", but it is questionable whether this will calm the waters. The community has already criticized the practice on social media, and it remains to be seen whether the developer will respond.
The fact is: this type of monetization leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. And if players don't speak out now, the future could be even more expensive. Find out what "Monster Hunter Wilds" has to offer beyond this our review of the game.
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