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Learn whether you should play Monster Hunter World in preparation for the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds, or not.
Monster Hunter Wilds’ release date is inching closer with every passing day. While the game did have an Open Beta test recently, it only gave players a look at a tiny part of the overall experience. The Monster Hunter series is well-known for its complexity and steep learning curve. Even the “newcomer-friendly” titles in the series, i.e., Monster Hunter World and Rise, are counted among some of the most “difficult to get into” action RPGs. While the Monster Hunter games are incredibly fun, the onboarding process for any newcomer to the franchise seldom is pleasant. Naturally, some players might be thinking of playing through Monster Hunter World before they jump into Monster Hunter Wilds.
However, is Monster Hunter World a good starting point for newcomers and worth the time investment? Furthermore, is playing through Monster Hunter World a good idea before Wilds, or is it best to go into the upcoming title completely blind? Here’s everything you need to know about Monster Hunter World and whether it’s a good game to play in preparation for Monster Hunter Wilds.
Note: Aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the author’s opinions.
Why Monster Hunter World Is an Excellent Choice for Newcomers?
On the surface, Monster Hunter is essentially a very straightforward action RPG, with a focus on build crafting and combat. However, it distinguishes itself from most contemporaries of the ARPG genre in a multitude of ways, including progression, combat, story, and more. As such, it can be a daunting task to get yourself acclimated to a new game in the Monster Hunter series without any prior experience with these games. Hence, it’s highly recommended that you play Monster Hunter World before you head into the upcoming mainline title. Doing so will not only prepare you for Monster Hunter Wilds but also allow you to progress through that game a lot faster.
The biggest roadblock many new players face when stepping into a Monster Hunter game is choosing the right weapon type. Unlike in other traditional RPGs, Monster Hunter games don’t have a linear level-based progression system. Instead, your character (the Hunter) levels up via their combat gear, i.e., weapons and armor. In all recent mainline Monster Hunter titles, there are a total of 14 weapon types to choose from. Each of these weapon types comes with its own associated playstyle. And remembering, let alone mastering, all these combos can be an incredibly daunting task.
Unfortunately, as you progress through the game’s Hunter Ranks, you will eventually have to master these weapons. Unlike other ARPGs, you cannot “button-mash” your way through a Monster Hunter game. This is where having some experience with past Monster Hunter games comes in very handy. The progression system between Monster Hunter World and Wilds is virtually identical. As such, having played World will help you decide on which weapon you would want to main in Wilds much easier.
Is Monster Hunter Rise a Good Alternative to Monster Hunter World?
Monster Hunter Rise is also a good game for newcomers. However, Monster Hunter Wilds is built upon World’s progression and gameplay systems. While the basic combat system remains the same between all Monster Hunter games, the progression is vastly different between the mainline console and the “portable” titles in the series. Monster Hunter Wilds is essentially an extension of World’s “open-world” structure. Although Rise did feature open levels, it’s nowhere similar in scale or structure to that of Monster Hunter World or Wilds. As such, if you want to play a Monster Hunter game just to prepare for Wilds, World is a much better choice than Rise.
Is It Necessary To Play Monster Hunter World Before Monster Hunter Wilds?
No, it’s not necessary to have played Monster Hunter World before jumping into Wilds. Like any other Monster Hunter game, Wilds also features a rather extensive onboarding system for new players. You will find tutorials for everything ranging from weapon types, monsters, and hunting gear to even cooking. As such, if you do decide to jump into the upcoming title completely blind, you aren’t at an inherent disadvantage. However, Monster Hunter games, despite the countless tutorials, do take quite a lot of time to become comprehensible to new players. Having some experience with past titles really helps alleviate that initial friction in these games.
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