Monster Hunter Wilds Review

Item: Monster Hunter Wilds Review
Rating: 9
Author: Ahmed Yousry

From the very first moment I played Monster Hunter Wilds, I was captivated by its ability to immerse me in its world and storytelling—a clear shift from previous entries in the series. I found myself deeply invested in the characters, eager to learn about their backgrounds, their struggles, and the dangers they face in a world teeming with monsters. The narrative aspect of MH Wilds was particularly compelling, keeping me engaged for dozens of hours without a moment of boredom. Here’s our full Monster Hunter Wilds Review.

A Cinematic Narrative Experience

named Nata near the borders of the Forbidden Lands—an uncharted region yet to be explored by the guild. After hearing his account of being the sole survivor of a mysterious monster attack on his village, the guild decides to send an investigative team to uncover the secrets of this land. However, this is not just a tale of humans versus monsters; it’s a story about coexistence in a world that is constantly shifting and evolving.

Unlike previous Monster Hunter titles, Wilds features a fully cinematic narrative, leveraging the power of the RE Engine to deliver stunning visuals that add unprecedented depth to the experience. For the first time in the series, the Hunter—the game’s protagonist—has a voice and engages in dialogues with other characters, enhancing immersion and making the story feel more alive.

The game’s story unfolds over a long journey filled with adventures, introducing players to a variety of characters and breathtaking environments as part of the guild’s expedition. Naturally, the monsters that inhabit this world have also evolved, adapting to the ever-changing environment with unique survival traits.

If you’re like me and enjoy deep, cinematic storytelling, Monster Hunter Wilds offers plenty of side quests that allow you to connect with your companions and uncover the mysteries of the creatures around you. On the other hand, if you prefer focusing solely on hunting, you can easily skip the narrative elements and dive into open-world exploration with your friends, crafting your own unique adventures.

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Unparalleled Customization & RPG Depth

Freedom to Personalize

One of the standout features of Monster Hunter Wilds is its elevated RPG experience, allowing players to customize nearly every aspect of the game to suit their playstyle. From the very beginning, you can fully modify your Hunter’s appearance with hundreds of options, creating a character you’ll spend countless hours with.

Customization isn’t limited to looks; armor crafting also plays a crucial role. Each set of armor comes with distinct attributes tailored for different combat scenarios. For example, a set offering strong resistance against most elements may still leave you vulnerable to lightning, forcing you to adapt when facing an electrically charged monster.

Environmental Interaction & Dynamic Weather

Adaptation goes beyond just armor choices—the world itself is ever-changing. Weather conditions shift constantly, affecting gameplay in significant ways. Entering a snowy region without warm armor will rapidly drain your stamina, making battles more challenging. This dynamic system enhances realism and encourages strategic planning before each mission.

Weapon Customization & Combat Evolution

Combat has always been at the core of Monster Hunter, and Wilds takes it to the next level with increased variety and depth. Players can choose from 14 unique weapons, each offering a distinct playstyle. The newest addition is the ability to switch between two weapons mid-battle, a feature we discussed in our interview with Capcom’s development team.

For instance, I often used a melee weapon against ground-based monsters but kept a ranged weapon handy for airborne or fast-moving creatures—allowing for more strategic and effective hunts.

Advanced Upgrade System

Every weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds is fully upgradeable, with each enhancement granting new skills based on the materials you collect. Whether from exploring the open world or hunting monsters to craft gear from their hides and fangs, there’s a constant sense of progression.

Focus Mode & Smarter Monsters

One of Wilds’ most significant gameplay innovations is Focus Mode, which lets players target specific weak points on a monster’s body. Repeatedly attacking the same area can create a vulnerability, making future encounters easier.

Additionally, monster AI has received a major overhaul, making hunts more dynamic and unpredictable. In certain situations, you may find yourself in an open-world setting where multiple creatures roam freely. This can be used to your advantage—for example, in one battle, I lured a pack of smaller monsters to distract a massive Dugoshma, giving me an opening to strike from a safe distance.

Strategic Equipment & Gadgets

Tactics extend beyond just weapons, as players can utilize a variety of tools and gadgets. Smoke bombs can disorient monsters, while advanced traps can be deployed using a handheld launcher, allowing for strategic control of the battlefield.

Cooperative Play: An Unmatched Multiplayer Experience

One of Monster Hunter Wilds’ greatest strengths is its co-op multiplayer. Whether tackling main missions with friends or embarking on free-form open-world adventures, the game thrives in a cooperative setting.

While I didn’t get to experience the final version of multiplayer, the beta test showcased an exceptionally immersive co-op experience, demonstrating how well teamwork and strategy play into the game’s design. In the final release, players can form hunting squads and embark on grand expeditions, facing colossal beasts and collecting rare loot together—making this one of the most complete and thrilling multiplayer hunting experiences in the series.

The RE Engine: A Double-Edged Sword in Monster Hunter Wilds

Breathtaking Visuals… Most of the Time

Monster Hunter Wilds is the first entry in the series built entirely on Capcom’s RE Engine, the powerhouse behind many of the studio’s modern games. The result? Beautifully detailed environments, from dense forests to sprawling deserts and vast snowy landscapes.

Character models and monsters look incredibly lifelike, with ray-traced lighting and reflections adding to the visual spectacle—especially on high-end PCs. However, not all environments maintain the same level of quality. While desert areas looked stunning, swampy regions felt noticeably less detailed, leading to occasional visual inconsistencies.

One of the game’s most impressive additions is dynamic weather, which can shift suddenly, altering the gameplay experience. You might start a mission under clear skies, only to be caught in a raging storm or sandstorm, limiting visibility and forcing new tactical approaches.

Technical Performance: Below Expectations

Despite its visual splendor, Monster Hunter Wilds suffers from technical issues, particularly on consoles. Playing on PlayStation 5, I expected a smooth experience but encountered performance hiccups.

The game offers two graphics modes:

Quality Mode – Targets dynamic 4K resolution with higher graphics but locks at 30 FPS.
Performance Mode – Aims for 60 FPS but uses upscaled 4K from 1080p.

Given that we’re in 2025, a 30 FPS lock is far from ideal, so I opted for Performance Mode. Unfortunately, frame rate drops were frequent, especially when transitioning between environments or during rapid weather shifts, affecting gameplay fluidity.

While RE Engine has proven its capability in games like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, its struggles with open-world optimization are evident here. Hopefully, future updates will stabilize performance.

Arabic Localization: A Flawless Experience

As expected from Capcom, Monster Hunter Wilds features full Arabic localization, covering both text and menus. The translation is top-notch, free of linguistic errors, ensuring an accessible experience for Arabic-speaking players.