Monster Hunter Wildsis the next installment in Capcom’s long line ofMonster Huntergames, which have become increasingly popular since the release ofMonster Hunter Worldin 2018.Monster Hunter Wildsappears to be unlike any installment before it, though it will most likely retain certain traditions, like resource gathering and crafting, various weapon types, Palico companions, and its challenging difficulty. Furthermore, just like the games that came before it,Monster Hunter Wildswill probably have DLC expansions similar toMonster Hunter Rise’s Sunbreak expansion andMonster Hunter World’s Iceborne expansion. Currently,Monster Hunter Wildsis slated for a 2025 release, with it most likely taking place in early 2025, as previous installments have typically launched within their release year’s first quarter.
2025 is already stacked with games, with highly anticipated titles such asGrand Theft Auto 6,Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, andPokemon Legends: Z-Aalready confirmed for release next year. Needless to say, it will be a big year for gaming, considering there are likely more 2025 release confirmations still to come. Nevertheless, despiteMonster Hunter Wildsalready having such stiff competition, it may not need to worry about potentially losing the race, especially ifMonster Hunter’s release history has anything to say about it.
Monster Hunter Wilds May Still Shine After 2025
2025 Already Looks Like It Could Be 2023 All Over Again
With several biggame releases already planned for 2025, there’s the potential forMonster Hunter Wildsto fall under the radar. Despite the series' growing success, it could still be considered a niche franchise, as its combat and exploration mechanics often differ from the norm. With other, much more universally praised IPs such asGrand Theft AutoandPokemonlaunching new entries in 2025, there is plenty of reason to thinkMonster Hunter Wildscould get placed on the back burner.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydrais one of the more recent titles to receive a 2025 release window, which could also cast a shadow overMonster Hunter Wilds. It’s also entirely possible that Ubisoft’sAssassin’s Creed Redcould launch next year, along with Bungie’sMarathonremake, Ken Levine’s highly anticipatedBioShock-like titleJudas, and theOverwatch-esque superhero titleMarvel Rivals. Each of these releases could potentially impact the success ofMonster Hunter Wilds, but it may have an ace up its sleeve if it follows the pattern of its predecessors.
Monster Hunter Wilds' Expansions Could Carry It Into 2026
PastMonster Huntertitles, especially those more recently released, have eventually launched expansions that renewed interest in them after the initial honeymoon phase for each game died out.Monster Hunter World, for instance, launched its hugely popularIceborne expansionalmost two years after the release of the base game and saw players returning toMH Worldfor another round of monster-hunting fun.
Monster Hunter Rise, which launched in March 2021, released itsSunbreak expansionjust over a year after the base game, granting a reignited interest in it as well. As such,Monster Hunter Wildscould release an expansion or two that will carry its success into 2026 and beyond, and even more so if this particular installment ends up being as large as it seems it will be.
Monster Hunter Wilds' ability to rise above 2025’s biggest game releasesshouldn’t be doubted before it’s given a chance to prove itself, but it probably won’t have to worry about it with the likelihood of expansions for it launching in the year or two that follow it. Perhaps this will be theMonster Huntergame to tip the scales and make the longstanding franchise not so niche anymore, but that much remains to be seen.
Monster Hunter Wilds
WHERE TO PLAY
The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next. This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.
