Summary
The next generation ofMonster Hunteris on its way, withMonster Hunter Wildsset for a 2025 release. It’s coming later than many fans expected, asMonster Hunter Nowand theMonster Hunter Stories’ console remaster have filled both of the windows originally pegged to holdMonster Hunter’s next generation. The fifth generation of mainlineMHgames has been ongoing sinceMonster Hunter Worldin 2018, and now that bothMH Worldand its sequelRisehave received their expected expansions, the community is ready for something new.Monster Hunter Wildspromises to be that, just as soon as it’s ready.
What new elementsWildswill bring won’t be announced until at least summer 2024, butMonster Hunter Wilds’ teaser holds some hints. Monsters can move in larger groups than ever before, andWilds’ hunting space has been scaled up accordingly. An even more versatile mount than thePalamutes fromMonster Hunter Risewill also be used to traverse this detailed world, which, when taken together, means executingMonster Hunteron a massive scale could beWilds’ main draw. Back in its day,Monster Hunter Worldalso sold itself on the increased scale and fidelity of its wilderness, but, ironically, building an impressive world will be whatWildsneeds.
Monster Hunter Wilds’ Looks Have A Lot To Prove
Standards for video game visuals and immersion are still evolving, and 2025 already looks to be a landmark year for them. Many of the largest gamesslated for 2025 alongsideMH Wilds, includingGrand Theft Auto 6,Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, andDeath Stranding 2 On The Beach, have already set a high bar with their trailers’ cutting-edge character models and environments. That’s not even getting into what Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and other AAA publishers could have planned for 2025, leavingMonster Hunter Wilds’ work cut out for it.
Wilds Should Repeat What Monster Hunter World Did For The Franchise
Monster Hunteris not typically associated with visual technology, especially since most of its history has been spent on handhelds or behind-the-curve Nintendo consoles, continually recycling old assets and animations to keep releases flowing.
BeforeWilds, onlyMonster Hunter Worldbroke this tradition, essentially rebuilding the series from the ground up to makeMonster Huntermore appealing to a widespread audience. Its massive leap in fidelity and detail was front and center in its advertising, but there was one aspectMonster Hunter Worlddidn’t capitalize on then thatMonster Hunter Wildscan use to stay competitive now.
“World” Should Be A More Fitting Name For Monster Hunter Wilds
The title ofMonster Hunter Worldcan be read as a reference to its new world setting, as well as a statement about this beingtheMonster Hunterdesigned to achieve global popularity. What’s ironic is that although these readings are accurate, players don’t get to explore very much of the world inMonster Hunter World. Despite its sharp increase in immersive detail and removal of mid-hunt loading screens, all of this was in service of making the most beautiful and intricate versions of the arenasMonster Hunterhas always used. Good as it was, it couldn’t create the illusion of exploring a whole fictional world.
Building A Full World Should Be Monster Hunter Wilds’ Priority
Monster Hunter Wildshasn’t confirmed an open world yet, but it can still earn the “World” title better thanMonster Hunter Worldever did. Even though some limiting level design and combat arenas will likely remain,Monster Hunter Wildscan fully immerse players in a chunk ofMonster Hunter’s setting that feels complete and fleshed-out. Alongside the best fidelity that Capcom’s RE Engine can muster, and whatever other ecological gimmicksWildsincludes to accentuate its natural setting, embracing the potential ofMonster Hunter World’s name will helpMonster Hunter Wilds’ visuals stay on top.
