What Is Monster Hunter Wilds?

Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest entry to the Monster Hunter series, is an action game in which players take the role of a hunter and take down large to massive monsters in epic fights.

The series features highly immersive ecosystems in which players must adapt to their surroundings, target monster, and external factors, such as other large monsters or weather changes that might impact the hunt.

These hunts can be played solo, in multiplayer (up to 4 people), or with NPC characters.

Hunters wield 14 different types of weapons, each with their own unique and deep move set. Choosing the weapon that fits your style and learning its move set is one of the most fun and important parts of the game. MHW is the first in the series that allows you to use two weapons!

Gathering materials from monsters and the environment will allow players to craft weapons and armor that resemble the monster’s identity and looks. For example, a sword crafted from a monster that spits fire will deal Fire elemental damage –which will be strong against certain monsters, such as those aligned with the Ice element. You have a ton of options for deep customization!

Monster Hunter games also have a story element. In Monster Hunter Wilds, the story revolves around an expedition to the Forbidden Lands, a zone previously unexplored. Your Hunter will be part of an expedition team, which will discover settlements, monsters, environments, and ancient ruins on this journey.

In this guide, aimed at newcomers to the Monster Hunter series, we will go over the game's appeal and its basic mechanics and features. 

This article is wrtten by @dxvis.

The core gameplay loop of Monster Hunter games is as follows:

• First, you must head over to the Quest Counter and choose a select monster to hunt.
• Preparing for a hunt is one of the most important elements of the game. Hunters have to choose their weapons and armor to those most effective against the target, and also fill their inventory with useful items that will aid on the hunt.
• Eating is another relevant element of the game, as it will boost Hunters’ stats and provide useful buffs.
• Defeating it will let you gather its specific materials, unique to each monster, which in turn allows you to craft new gear at the Forge, and take on stronger monsters.

There are some key characters in the game, both NPC and PC, which are core to the game:

• Palico
• • Each Hunter has one of these feline companions, which aid them in hunts by battling with them and with useful utility moves. Palicos also have their own equipment and skills, which can be customized.
• Alma, the Handler
• • Hunters need a Handler, which gives them quests to take on. In Monster Hunter Wilds, Alma will be your Handler, and she will accompany you while out on the field, and help you out with useful cues and with gathering items.
• Seikret
• • In Wilds, Seikrets are creatures that act as mounts, allowing for quicker traveling around the vast maps and carrying more items, as well as your Secondary Weapon.
• Gemma, the Smithy
• • She will craft and upgrade your gear for your builds and can be located at the Smithy.
• Other Hunters
• • Monster Hunter would not be the same without its multiplayer elements, which elevate the experience greatly. Up to 4 people can join the same hunt (which can be either real players or NPCs), and players can also hang out with others in online hubs.

Monster Hunter Wilds features a seamless open map, which is divided into distinct locales, each with its own theme and wildlife.

There is a Base Camp in each of the locales, in which you can meet other players, change your gear, access the Smithy, and talk to NPCs. Additionally, you will discover other points of interest throughout the story, such as the Kunafa or Azuz villages.

For the first time in the series, there are dynamic weather changes in Wilds. Each locale will cycle through a Plentiful Season and a harsh Fallow season, with an Inclemency period in between. The whole environment changes depending on the season: Wildlife, plants, and even NPCs.

Monster Hunter Wilds features four main ecosystems:

• The Windward Plains. This is the first locale you will enter in the game and features plains and desert areas.
• The Scarlet Forest.  This tropical locale is home to dense jungles, rivers, lakes, and ancient ruins.
• The Oilwell Basin. The third locale in the game is highly vertical, and players will encounter caves, swamps and volcanic areas alike.
• The Iceshard Cliffs. Little is known about this locale so far. It is isolated and harsh, featuring ice caves and cliffs which are repeatedly hit by blizzards.

Monster Hunter games can be a bit dense at first due to the many systems and mechanics at play. Additionally, there are many tutorials which the game doesn’t hesitate to throw at you from the start. 

A common feeling among newcomers to the Monster Hunter series is that they get overwhelmed after the first couple of hours in the game. If this happens, focus on enjoying the game.

Monster Hunter is not too complex, and its systems and mechanics are best understood by just playing the game. You can also close any pop-up tutorials and access them later.

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