With Monster Hunter: Wilds topping the charts as one of Steam’s most pre-ordered games, it’s clear that the upcoming title is generating massive excitement. If you’re new to the Monster Hunter franchise, there’s one game we highly recommend playing first: Monster Hunter: World (2018).
While Wilds is set to be an epic continuation, its complex systems and gameplay may be overwhelming for first-time players. Playing World before diving into Wilds gives you a crucial head start, helping you get familiar with key mechanics, structures, and the fast-paced combat that defines the series.
What Sets Monster Hunter: World Apart?
If you’re wondering whether to play Monster Hunter: Rise instead, it’s important to note that Wilds is more closely related to World than Rise. While Rise introduced exciting gameplay elements, such as rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple, it was designed with the Nintendo Switch’s hardware limitations in mind. This led to smaller zones and faster-paced hunts. On the other hand, World features expansive open zones and a detailed ecosystem, offering a gameplay style that mirrors Wilds’ larger, open areas.
If you’re looking for the most similar experience to Wilds, World is the perfect game to prepare for what’s coming. You’ll experience vast, thrilling hunts across varied terrain, which is a core feature of Wilds. Think of World as the blueprint that Wilds is building upon.
An Introduction to the Monster Hunter Universe
While Wilds isn’t a direct sequel to World, World’s approach to its story and campaign will help set your expectations for Wilds. You’ll encounter familiar characters, such as the Hunter’s Guild and the lovable Palicos, which will be present in Wilds. However, each Monster Hunter game tells its own distinct story, much like how each entry in the Final Fantasy series introduces a fresh narrative while keeping certain recurring elements.
Master the Combat: Why Practice Makes Perfect
Beyond just learning the Monster Hunter universe, the most significant reason to play World first is the game’s challenging combat mechanics. In Monster Hunter, your weapon is key to your success. Wilds will offer 14 different weapons, each with its own playstyle and strategies, and World includes all of them. Playing World gives you the chance to get comfortable with each weapon’s techniques, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your playstyle.
Each weapon in Monster Hunter is like a character class in traditional RPGs, determining your role in battle. By playing World, you’ll learn how to use weapons to upgrade and craft stronger tools, mastering your craft before moving on to Wilds.
Quick Tip: Understanding where to strike on a monster’s body can make all the difference in a fight. For example, the Longsword is perfect for slicing off tails, while the Hammer is great for knocking monsters down by landing a powerful blow to the head.
Using the Slinger and Other Tools
In World, you’ll also use the Slinger, a tool that adds a layer of strategy by allowing you to use gadgets and ammunition in fights. Whether it’s shooting a Flash Pod to blind a monster or tossing poison knives, using the Slinger effectively can be the key to victory. The Slinger will return in Wilds, so having experience with it in World will help you navigate the more complex combat scenarios in the new game.
In addition to the combat mechanics, World teaches you the rhythm of the gameplay loop, which involves tracking monsters, gathering materials, and crafting items for your next hunt. Understanding this process will give you an advantage in Wilds, where similar mechanics will be key to your survival.
Get Ready for Wilds: The Road Ahead
By playing Monster Hunter: World, you’ll get a taste of the thrilling hunts, large open areas, and the intense combat that Wilds promises to expand upon. While the storylines are distinct, the gameplay and mechanics will set you up for a much smoother experience when Wilds arrives. Mastering the systems in World is the perfect way to hone your skills and get prepared for the next big chapter in the Monster Hunter series.
