The Monster Hunter-series has established itself over the years as one of the prime examples of masterful gameplay. The storyline has always been the weakest link in the chain: a classic "fight a monster, defeat a monster" narrative that repeats itself from one game to the next. Those who played "Monster Hunter" did so primarily to fight gigantic beasts that surpassed even the wildest imagination. Simple objectives, impressive creatures, great battles - that was all players needed.
But then came "Monster Hunter Wilds", and suddenly it seemed like the series was going in a whole new direction - away from the simplistic battles and towards a narrative that actually worked. But is this really a win for the series, or is Monster Hunter Wilds just a short-lived attempt to "refine" the series that ends up losing what made it special in the first place?
A risky step in the right direction?
The story of "Monster Hunter Wilds" begins as expected, if a little more intrusive than usual: a young boy named Nata flees his home village, which has been ravaged by a mysterious beast, the "White Ghost". However, instead of the classic manner of Monster Hunterwhich focuses on hunting monsters, it turns out that the plot pays far more attention to the social aspect and the deeper meaning behind the fights.
The attempt to add depth to the narrative is commendable, and there's no doubt that the story of Monster Hunter Wilds makes for a compelling experience that goes beyond the usual monster-hunting theme. However, despite all efforts to make the story more relevant and emotional, the central problem remains: the story often feels like a foreign body in the game. In the early hours of the game, you may find yourself wondering whether these thoughtful dialogs and character developments really fit in with the fast-paced, action-packed gameplay that Monster Hunter has made so well known. The narrative seems forced and transplanted into this world from another game, which leads to a strange disharmony.
It has its moments
Of course, there's no denying that the characters in Monster Hunter Wilds have their moments. Gemma, Olivia and Erik add to the atmosphere, especially through the conversations that take place during the missions. However, the depth given to the characters makes you wonder if they wouldn't be much better off in a different, less action-heavy game. Their personalities and dynamic relationship with Nata are refreshing and offer an interesting change from the more rigid characters of past titles, but at times it almost feels like they take up too much space in a game that should be centered around hunting and gameplay.
Another critical point is that the story too often distracts the focus from the actual gameplay. The constant attempts to advance the plot often conflict with the intense battles against the monsters. These are the heart of Monster Hunterand the narrative, with its slowed-down structure, does not always find it easy to maintain the tension of the fights. Anyone looking forward to the hunt for beasts might feel rather disturbed by the long, sometimes somewhat tedious dialog.
A move in the right direction, but not perfect
So let's come to the actual Monster Hunter-experience, which is not only retained in "Monster Hunter Wilds", but has also been improved - at least in some aspects. The new "Focus" mechanic, where players can switch to battle mode and use L2 to target specific parts of the monster's body, is a welcome advancement. This makes it possible to inflict targeted wounds that provide important advantages in battle - a mechanic that adds a strategic depth to the hunt that we weren't used to in earlier parts of the series.
The ability to switch weapons mid-battle is also a revolution for the series. In Monster Hunter Wilds, you can quickly switch from a longsword to a poleaxe or other weapon to exploit a monster's weaknesses. This improvement adds an element of flexibility to the already complex hunt that was never so seamlessly integrated in the previous games. However, there is also a problem here: although the change has a positive effect on the flow of the battles, it also leads to an over-complexity that does not suit every player. While fans of the series are likely to be delighted with the new mechanics, this can be a problem for newcomers who are just entering the universe of Monster Hunter immerse, intimidating.
Not forgetting the overhaul of the weapon and equipment system. In Monster Hunter Wilds, a lot of emphasis is placed on giving players the freedom to choose their playstyle regardless of armor. This sounds great on paper, as it encourages players to use different weapons without being restricted by the predetermined armor sets. However, the necessary fine-tuning is also missing here: the adjustments are sometimes too abrupt and seem unnatural. As a player, you quickly lose the feeling that every choice of equipment and weapon has been strategically thought through. It often feels as if you are simply switching back and forth between options without having a clear idea of what is best suited to the situation at hand.
An impressive backdrop, but ...
There is no doubt that "Monster Hunter Wilds" is trying to impress visually and deliver the optimal experience on any console, including the PS5 Pro would like. The world is beautiful, with a clear identity for each biome that accompanies the player on their journey through the forbidden lands. Capcom has masterfully staged the environment, and the details are breathtaking - from the herbivores that roam the land in herds to the flying creatures that dominate the air. But even the best-situated world has its pitfalls. Especially in the later hours of the game, the world seems to become more of a backdrop for the battles rather than an active part of the hunt. The monsters and the world are increasingly displaced in the game by the story and the battles themselves, so the sense of discovery and interactivity with the environment falls somewhat by the wayside.
The soundtrack works by Akihiko Narita are, as expected, fantastic and create the perfect atmosphere for the epic setting of "Monster Hunter Wilds". The music underlines the action, alternating between dramatic sounds and calm, reflective melodies. But even here, a certain feeling of repetition cannot be denied - there is a lack of real innovation. The music may be atmospheric, but there is little that really makes it stand out. It often stays in the safe zone and lacks the courage to take complete artistic license.
Of course, we don't even want to start with the technical "highlights" - after all, things like reloading problems, clipping errors and unclean resolutions are now almost standard. And not in a positive sense. Even if these bugs were to be fixed at some point, they definitely don't deserve a top rating. After all, I had to deal with them.
Conclusion
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