For years, friends and colleagues have warned me that Monster Hunter is not for me, citing its dense systems as a barrier to entry. However, my recent five-hour playthrough of Monster Hunter Wilds has changed my perspective. The game’s unique blend of exploration, combat, and survival mechanics makes it a challenging yet rewarding experience.
What struck me most about Wilds was its tactile nature. Every action, from swinging a weapon to tracking a monster, felt weighty and immersive. The world is alive, with ecosystems that are home to complex systems I only began to understand as I explored them. This sense of immersion made the game feel alive, without relying on haptic feedback or other gimmicks.
Scavenging for supplies, climbing over vegetation, and fending off monsters all contributed to a sense of survival that felt authentic and engaging. Unlike many games, where progression often means becoming more powerful and obstacles disappear, Wilds required me to learn new strategies and adapt to each environment. This made the game feel like a true challenge, rather than just a series of levels with stats.
The game’s design is intentionally intimidating, requiring players to invest time in forging equipment, sharpening blades, and managing resources on the fly. Even with the introduction of new features to aid new players, I found Wilds unfriendly and demanding. The hotkeys menu was cumbersome, and pausing the game to find healing items was stressful.
However, this deliberate design is also what makes Monster Hunter Wilds so compelling. By emulating the experience of scavenging for supplies in a harsh world, the game creates a sense of stress and tension that’s hard to shake. The legacy of Monster Hunter lives on in Wilds, with its focus on struggle, survival, and exploration.
Although I didn’t finish playing Wilds, my time with the game has left me more curious than ever about the series. With its challenging gameplay and immersive world, Monster Hunter Wilds is an experience that will appeal to fans of action RPGs and survival games. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, Wilds offers a rich and rewarding experience that’s worth exploring.
Monster Hunter Wilds comes to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on February 28.
Source: https://kotaku.com/monster-hunter-wilds-preview-newcomer-never-played-1851758524