Mastering Monster Hunter Wilds: Why You Should Play Monster Hunter: World First
With Monster Hunter Wilds among Steam's top pre-ordered games, many players, especially newcomers, will be diving into the series. While Wilds will undoubtedly offer a comprehensive tutorial, the series' complexity might overwhelm newcomers. Therefore, playing Monster Hunter: World (2018) beforehand is highly recommended.
This isn't about narrative connections; rather, World's gameplay and structure closely mirror Wilds'. It's the ideal onboarding experience for the series' unique systems and gameplay loop.
Why Monster Hunter: World?
While Monster Hunter Rise is the most recent title, Wilds is a direct successor to World, not Rise. Rise, originally developed for the Nintendo Switch, prioritized speed and smaller zones, streamlining the hunt-upgrade-hunt cycle but sacrificing the expansive, seamless environments of World. Wilds appears to build upon and recapture the larger-scale elements World offered.
World's large zones and emphasis on tracking monsters within detailed ecosystems serve as a blueprint for Wilds' even larger open areas. Experience World's thrilling hunts across diverse terrains – a hallmark of modern Monster Hunter – before Wilds delivers a similar experience. While the stories are unconnected, World's narrative structure will appropriately set your expectations for Wilds. You'll encounter familiar elements like the Hunter's Guild and Palicos, albeit in a separate continuity. Think of it like the Final Fantasy series: recurring elements exist across titles, yet each game stands alone.
Practice Makes Perfect
Beyond understanding the universe and campaign structure, World's challenging combat is the most compelling reason to play it first. Wilds features 14 weapons, all present in World. Mastering these weapons, each with unique playstyles and strategies, is crucial. World allows you to experiment and find your preferred weapon before tackling Wilds. Each weapon demands focus and precision; World provides the perfect training ground.
Weapon mastery is paramount in Monster Hunter. Unlike traditional RPGs, abilities and stats are entirely weapon-dependent. Your weapon is your class; it dictates your battlefield role. World teaches you weapon upgrades using monster parts and navigating weapon trees. It also emphasizes precise positioning and strategic attacks over raw damage output. Understanding a weapon's optimal attack points is key; World teaches you this effectively.
World also introduces the Slinger, a crucial tool returning in Wilds. Learning to use Flash Pods, poison knives, and other Slinger ammo effectively will significantly improve your gameplay. Familiarity with World's crafting system will translate directly to Wilds.
The overall gameplay loop – tracking monsters, gathering materials, and crafting – becomes intuitive with practice. Mastering this loop in World provides a significant advantage in Wilds. Each hunt is a strategic dance, requiring time and planning. Understanding monster behaviors and preparing appropriate equipment is essential. World's scope and scale mirror Wilds', making it the perfect preparation.
Bonus: Importing your World save data into Wilds unlocks free Palico armor (and additional armor with Iceborne save data).
While not mandatory, playing Monster Hunter: World is strongly recommended. While accessibility has improved, the series' unique systems are best learned through experience. While some will enjoy jumping into Wilds blind, playing World offers invaluable preparation for the February 28, 2025 launch.
