Monster Hunter Wilds is the newest entry in the Monster Hunter series, Capcom's action RPG line where you hunt giant monsters and turn their bones, hides and scales into new weapons and armour. It launched on 28 February 2025 on PS5, Windows and Xbox Series X|S. The story begins when an expedition finds Nata, a boy who says he comes from the Forbidden Lands, one of the Keepers, whose people were attacked by the monster Arkveld, also called the White Wraith. You and the Avis Unit set out into those lands to investigate. With more than 8 million copies sold in 3 days, it is Capcom's fastest-selling game.
The biggest difference from the previous game is how you hunt: the map is seamless with no loading screens in between, you ride the Seikret (a mount that goes everywhere with you) across the land, and Focus Mode lets you aim at specific monster parts. On the other hand, many people feel those conveniences make the game easier, the endgame is less engaging, and the PC version ran so poorly at launch that Steam reviews fell to Overwhelmingly Negative. In OtaHub's view it is still Capcom's best-looking and most seamless monster-hunting game, especially at today's price.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom; RE Engine; directed by Yuya Tokuda |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Release date | 28 February 2025 (PS5, Windows, Xbox Series X|S); reviewed on PC and console |
| Platforms | PS5, Windows (Steam), Xbox Series X|S; cross-platform play; the Switch 2 version arrives on 4 December 2026 (announced in the Nintendo Direct of 9 September 2026) |
| Price | $69.99 at launch; from 4 August 2026 Capcom permanently cut the standard edition to $39.99 and added a $79.99 Gold Edition (per God is a Geek); on Steam Vietnam on October 9, 2026 the standard edition lists at 850.000₫ |
| Languages | Interface in 15 languages, including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain and Latin America), Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Japanese, Korean, Russian, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Thai, Arabic (per Steam); no Vietnamese |
| Length | Campaign about 20 hours per a source summarised on Wikipedia, while MP1st estimates 40 to 50 hours for the main path; the endgame is extended by Title Updates |
| Where to play | Steam, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store; a free demo since 4 August 2026 (offline only, covering the opening up to the start of Chapter 1-3) |
| Play modes | Online co-op for up to 4 players, cross-platform; solo play with AI support hunters |
| Critic scores | Metacritic 88 (PS5, PC), 90 (Xbox Series X); OpenCritic 95%; individual outlet scores are in the critics section below. Steam: 69% positive across 122,162 English reviews (8 October 2026) |
| Sales | More than 8 million in 3 days, 10 million by the end of March 2025 |
Review scope
This review covers Monster Hunter Wilds on PS5, Windows and Xbox Series X|S. It draws on Capcom's official information, critic reviews from several major outlets, Steam figures and the patches to date. Data was read up to 5 October 2026, after Title Update 4 and the August 2026 price cut. It does not yet include hands-on notes from an OtaHub editor; judgements about play rely on the sources' descriptions and player feedback. Story is discussed only up to the opening.
Gameplay: how do seamless hunting and Focus Mode differ from before?
The game has 14 weapon types, and you carry two on each hunt, swapping between them while riding the Seikret. When you aim at a monster part in Focus Mode, repeated hits open a wound. Focus Strike then breaks the wound for heavy damage and a stagger. One review said that with Focus Mode fights become tactical puzzles rather than endurance tests, and the Seikret is ranked among the best new features.
Around that sit a few more pieces:
- Seikret: a mount that navigates by itself, letting you travel fast and change weapons on the move.
- Palico: a cat companion that helps gather materials, draws monsters away and brings you healing items, fully voiced.
- SOS flare: a signal that calls other players, or three AI support hunters if nobody joins.
Even so, these conveniences are what people argue about most. Some Steam players say the Seikret, wounds and Focus Mode together make difficulty lighter, and an Automaton article noted that the wound system divides the community because it can make the game too easy. Some critics described the game as gentle and lacking real challenge. OtaHub thinks that is not wrong: boss fights are fun because the combat is deeper, not because it is harder. For a newcomer that is an advantage; for a veteran hunter, a shame.
The opening: a ship on the sand and a leap onto the Seikret
According to MP1st, the game opens with a ship sailing across the desert, then you leap onto a Seikret to rescue a girl being chased by a herd of Balaharas (sand-dwelling monsters). That is also when the game introduces what it wants you to remember: a seamless world, giant monsters and a mount that is a partner, not just transport.
OtaHub likes this because it uses a single scene to teach both the play and the story: you run, jump, rescue someone, and only then are you given a name for the hunt. This review does not describe what follows, to avoid spoilers.
Story and world: who is Arkveld?
You are a hunter (a character you create) in the Avis Unit, made up of a hunter, a handler (the person who handles communication), a smithy and a Palico. The unit's mission is to investigate Arkveld, a monster with chain-like appendages, and to look after Nata, the boy found in the wasteland. The story also touches on the Landspine (a mysterious structure tied to each region's weather), Zoh Shia, a huge guardian-like elder dragon, Gore Magala carrying the Frenzy Virus, and Gogmazios.
Critics are split. Some reviews called Nata's story compelling and were surprised that it held their attention across the campaign. On the other side, others found the story weak, with little time spent with many characters. OtaHub sits in the middle: the story is more focused than earlier games, but not so strong that you will remember the unit's members by name.
Graphics and sound: how good does it look?
The game runs on Capcom's RE Engine and many critics rank it among the best-looking in the series. One review called it a "hyper-evolved" game, while others praise smooth monster animation, lighting that makes wide vistas and carefully staged cutscenes. Each region, such as the Windward Plains (open plains) or the Scarlet Forest (home of the Wudwud tribe), has its own creatures and weather, giving the feeling of an ecosystem rather than a backdrop. Monsters interact with each other, move in herds and are affected by weather and time of day.
The music is led by Miwako Chinone and the Capcom Sound Team. According to many reviews, it adapts to the hunt: more driving when a monster gets angry, and each region has its own flavour inspired by different cultures.
Technical performance: how is the PC version now?
PC performance is the game's stain. Wikipedia records that at launch many players had performance, graphics and frame-rate problems even on strong machines, and by July 2025 Steam reviews had fallen to "Overwhelmingly Negative". Capcom's response was Title Update 4 in December 2025, free and focused on PC optimisation, with options to reduce load.
According to Digital Foundry (via Multiplayer.it), the update cut GPU load by roughly 8 to 9% on an RTX 3070 with 8 GB and removed stutter from streaming high-quality textures, with performance gains of up to about 20%, but in exchange some textures got worse or loaded more slowly at High. Capcom also promised two more PC optimisation rounds, in January and February 2026. Recent reviews are better: God is a Geek recorded 63% positive over the last 30 days (August 2026), though the overall Steam rating is still Mixed. That is why OtaHub scores technical performance just 8.0, the lowest in the grid.
Content and value: is 39.99 USD worth it?
Wilds' value has changed quite a bit since launch. On 4 August 2026 Capcom permanently cut the standard edition from 69.99 to 39.99 USD and launched a free demo that includes all 14 weapon types and the opening hours, according to God is a Geek and Capcom's press release. The campaign runs from about 20 hours to 40 to 50 hours depending on how you play; according to some critics the endgame lacks motivation, depth and difficulty.
On the other hand, the endgame is extended by free Title Updates since April 2025, adding monsters, quests, the Grand Hub area and challenge arenas, plus collaborations with Street Fighter 6 (May 2025) and Final Fantasy XIV (September 2025). Paid DLC is cosmetic only. The Ascendance expansion is planned for 2027. At today's price this is a bargain for newcomers; at 69.99 USD it was harder to defend.
For players in Vietnam
- Vietnamese
- No official version. The game supports 15 interface languages, including Thai, but not Vietnamese.
- Price
- 39.99 USD for the standard edition since 4 August 2026, Gold Edition 79.99 USD. On Steam Vietnam (checked October 9, 2026) the standard edition lists at 850.000₫.
- Try first
- A free demo since 4 August 2026, offline only, covering the opening up to the start of Chapter 1-3. Worth trying before you buy, especially on PC.
- Playing with friends
- Co-op for up to 4 players, with cross-platform play.
What critics say, and where OtaHub differs
Metacritic lists 88 on PS5 and Windows, 90 on Xbox Series X, and OpenCritic 95% recommend. Destructoid gave 9.5/10, Famitsu 39/40, Video Games Chronicle 5/5, GamesRadar+ 4.5/5, MP1st 9/10, Game Informer 8.75/10 and GameSpot 8/10. IGN gave 8/10, saying the hunts are great fun but lack real challenge. The game won the Award for Excellence at the Japan Game Awards 2025 and was nominated for Best Role Playing Game at The Game Awards 2025.
OtaHub agrees with critics about the weaknesses but does not think they stop a high score. Light difficulty and a thin endgame pull Content down to 9.0 and Story to 8.8, while PC performance gets only 8.0. Combat is different: even though it is easier, Focus Mode and 14 weapons still give every hunt something to think about, so OtaHub scores Gameplay 9.9. Put differently, the game is less challenging, not less fun, and that is why OtaHub still scores high despite complaints about difficulty like IGN's.
Who should play Monster Hunter Wilds?
Play it if you are new to the series and like a seamless, beautiful hunting world with plenty of people to play alongside. At 39.99 USD, with a free demo to try, this is the most comfortable entry point into the series so far.
Think twice if you are a veteran hunter looking for a high challenge, or play on PC and are sensitive to dropped frames. In that case, trying the demo and checking performance on your own machine will save you disappointment.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- A seamless world and a dynamic ecosystem
- Focus Mode and wounds give combat new depth
- 14 weapon types and the Seikret make hunting more flexible
- Price cut to 39.99 USD, with a free demo and free updates
Weaknesses
- PC performance is uneven despite many patches
- Low difficulty; IGN felt it lacks real challenge
- The endgame is criticised for lacking motivation and depth
- No official Vietnamese
OtaHub score
The total is the weighted average of the six game criteria; editors may adjust it by up to ±0.2. See our review standards.
- Gameplay & Mechanics · 9.9Focus Mode, wounds, 14 weapons and the Seikret widen the hunt a lot. Some players and critics feel these systems make the game easier.
- Story & World · 8.8Nata and Arkveld give a more focused story than earlier games, but many characters do not stay on screen long enough to be remembered.
- Graphics & Art Direction · 9.8Each region has its own creatures, weather and light, and monster animation is smooth. Many critics rank it among the best-looking in the series.
- Sound & Music · 9.5The music shifts with the hunt, and each region has its own flavour; Miwako Chinone and the Capcom Sound Team lead it.
- Technical & Performance · 8.0The PC version fell to Overwhelmingly Negative on Steam over frame drops. Title Update 4 and later patches clearly improved it, but it still trails World and Rise.
- Content & Value · 9.0The price is down to 39.99 USD, there is a free demo and free updates. Points off because the endgame is criticised as lacking motivation.
OtaHub recommendation: Buy now
FAQ
How many people can play Monster Hunter Wilds together?
Online co-op supports up to 4 players, with cross-platform play. Solo players get AI support hunters.
How is the PC version of Monster Hunter Wilds now?
Steam reviews once fell to Overwhelmingly Negative over performance. Capcom released Title Update 4 in December 2025 with PC optimisation work, followed by two more rounds in January and February 2026. Recent reviews are better but still lower than World.
How much does Monster Hunter Wilds cost now?
From 4 August 2026, Capcom permanently cut the standard edition from 69.99 to 39.99 USD and added a Gold Edition at 79.99 USD. On Steam Vietnam (checked October 9, 2026) the standard edition lists at 850.000₫.
Is there a Monster Hunter Wilds demo?
Yes. A free demo arrived on 4 August 2026, offline only, covering the opening up to the start of Chapter 1-3.
Is Monster Hunter Wilds coming to Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes, the Switch 2 version is scheduled for 4 December 2026, announced in the Nintendo Direct on 9 September 2026.
Sources: Wikipedia (mechanics, sales, awards, Switch 2), MP1st (9/10 review), God is a Geek (price and demo), Automaton (Title Update 4), RPGFan, Digital Foundry (via Multiplayer.it), Metacritic, OpenCritic, IGN, Destructoid, Game Informer, GameSpot, Famitsu. The score is OtaHub's editorial judgement under our review standards.
