Monster Hunter Wildsis the next mainline entry in Capcom’sMonster Hunterseries following the release ofMonster Hunter Riseand arguably one of the most anticipated games of 2025. With a little over a year having passed since the initial announcement,Monster Hunter Wildswill finally be launching across various platforms in February.
Aside from being highly anticipated by veteran players, those who have been looking to break into the franchise may have the best opportunity before them.Monster Hunter Wildsis being marketed as a relatively beginner-friendly entry to the series, and it’s even offering several opportunities for players to try it out with Open Beta testing.
When Monster Hunter Wild Releases
Hunters Will Be Back On The Hunt This February
The official announcement ofMonster Hunter Wildsat the 2023 Game Awardssparked a flurry of anticipation among players who had been eagerly awaiting the nextMonster Huntergame, but the wait is nearly over.Monster Hunter Wildswill be making its way into players' hands on February 28th, 2025. However, some players have already had the opportunity to sample the game by participating in the Open Beta Test that took place this past October and November.
Monster Hunter Wilds Hands-On Preview: The Most Approachable Franchise Entry Yet
Screen Rant traveled to Osaka to go hands-on with Monster Hunter Wilds and left impressed with how detailed and accessible the upcoming title is.
For those who missed out,Capcom is providing yet another opportunity to see what’s to come with a second Open Beta, falling just a week or two before the game’s formal release. To participate in the Open Beta Test 2, players simply need a compatible platform, which includes a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, orPC with the minimum required specs. Keep in mind, however, that the second Beta Test will not feature any performance improvements, as these will come with the official launch.
Date & Time (PT)
Open Beta Test 2 (First Run)
February 6th at 7 p.m. - February 9th at 6:59 p.m.
Open Beta Test 2 (Second Run)
February 13th at 7 p.m. - February 16th at 6:59 p.m.
For those who participated in the Open Beta Test 1, you will have the option to carry over your data as long as you participate on the same platform as before. Note thateveryone can participate in the Open Beta Test 2, regardless of whether they participated in the first one.This second test will include everything that was previously available in the first test as well as new content, including exclusive bonuses that can be claimed in the full version once it launches.
Everything We Know About The Monster Hunter Wilds Story
The Mystery Of The White Wraith
AlthoughMonster Hunterstory plots can notoriously feel a bit underwhelming,Monster Hunter Wildsmay offer an opportunity to change that. Focusing on one of the player’s companions,Monster Hunter Wildsfollows the story of Nata, a boy discovered on the outskirts of the Forbidden Lands, and his village. Though the area is believed to be uninhabited,Nata details the story of how his village and everyone in it were attacked by a mysterious creaturenicknamed the White Wraith.
Monster Hunter Wilds Has The Best Features From Capcom’s Best Games
Monster Hunter Wilds feels like a culmination of everything Capcom has worked on in the last few years, and one feature, in particular, shines.
In an effort to rescue Nata’s people, the Keepers, the Guild decides to organize an investigation into this mysterious monster, and its attack on Nata’s village. Assigned to one of the units, players will work as a professionalMonster Hunteralongside their companions to defeat monsters, maintain balance in the land, and ultimatelyuncover the secret behind the elusive White Wraithin a story that sounds more involving than the typicalMonster Hunterapproach.
Monster Hunter Wilds Gameplay Details
Familiar Hunts, New Features, & Expansive Ever-Changing Environments
While the story is worth keeping up with, mostMonster Hunterplayers would likely agree that it often pales in comparison to the overall gameplay, world, and the hunts themselves. To no surprise,all 14 classic weapon types will be available,but each one will feature new actions and moves to aid players on any hunt. However, the most exciting new gameplay mechanic is undoubtedly the newly introduced Focus Mode.
Monster Hunter Wilds' Art Director Reveals Just How Long A Monster Design Takes
Monster Hunter Wilds’ art director Kaname Fujioka reveals his process for designing monsters (and some of his favorites) ahead of the game’s release.
Focus Mode is a newmechanic debuting inMonster Hunter Wildsthat will offer a completely new approach to taking on monsters.Focus Mode, in essence, is a mode in which hunters can attack or guard in the direction of their camera. While this may not sound that revolutionary on the surface, it allows for a plethora of new options, including strafing, maintaining a charge attack while turning directions, and more.
The Focus Mode will also highlight certain aspects of the targeted monster, allowing hunters to deal more damage. While utilizing Focus Mode,previously injured points and weak spots on the monster will be highlighted, showing where hunters will be able to perform Focus Strikes and deliver the most damage possible. This is not only a great addition for veteran players, adding even more depth to the gameplay they know and love, but one that also enhances the beginner-friendliness of the game once again.
10 Biggest Gameplay Changes We Noticed In The Monster Hunter Wilds Hands-On
The biggest additions and improvements coming with Monster Hunter Wilds that Screen Rant noticed during an extended hands-on preview with the title.
As for the world itself,Monster Hunter Wildsis shifting away from the style ofMonster Hunter Riseand back to that of something more akin toMonster Hunter World, as players will be able toexplore the map’s open and expansive environmentsin ever-changing conditions. That being said, one feature fromMonster Hunter Risewill make a return, ashunters will be able to explore this new world aboard their new mount, the Seikret, a replacement for the previously mountable Palamutes.
Monster Hunter Wilds Platforms & Pre-Orders
Three Versions, PlayStation Exclusives, & Pre-Order Bonuses
Monster Hunter Wildsis available for pre-order and will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Unfortunately, althoughMonster Hunter Risewas a day-one Nintendo Switch exclusive,Monster Hunter Wildswill not be available for Nintendo players at launch, and it’s unlikely that it ever will make its way to the platform given the performance demands of this entry in the series.
Monster Hunter Wilds Leak Could Make An Iconic Fight A Whole Lot Worse
Monster Hunter Wilds seems to be everything that fans want from a current gen MH game but one change could hurt an iconic fight in the series.
For those who are looking to go ahead and pre-orderMonster Hunter Wilds, Capcom is offering a few pre-order bonuses to players of every platform. However,those pre-ordering the PlayStation version can earn an exclusive pre-order bonus specific to their consolein addition to the other bonuses. Note that the time deadline for acquiring the pre-order bonus does vary by platform since Steam does not offer traditional pre-ordering.
Platform
Deadline
Layered Armor (Guild Knight Set), Talisman (Hope Charm),Monster Hunter WildsMini Art Book (Only for Digital Versions from the PlayStation Online Store)
PC
February 28th, 2025 at 4:59 a.m. (UTC)
In addition to pre-order bonuses, Capcom is also offeringthree different versions ofMonster Hunter Wilds, each with unique perks. The cheapest version is the Standard Edition, which includes just the base game and any pre-order bonuses. The mid-tier version is the Deluxe Edition, which includes everything from the Standard Edition as well as a Deluxe Pack that includes various hunter customizations.
Monster Hunter Wilds Brings Highly Requested Features Like Crossplay & More
Crossplay is just one of the quality-of-life improvements being introduced in Monster Hunter Wilds, but don’t expect to find new weapons.
Finally, the most expensive version of the game is the Premium Deluxe Edition, which includes everything in the previous two editions as well as Premium Bonuses, which include even more customizations as well as guaranteed access totwo unreleased cosmetic DLCs that will be coming later this year. Keep in mind that Capcom will also be offering bonuses to those with existing save data from otherMonster Huntergames, likeMH World.
Regardless of which version you choose, checking out the Open Beta Test 2 to sample what’s to come and get in any pre-orders could be worth the time before the game officially drops on February 28th, 2025.Monster Hunter Wildshas a long legacy to live up to, but it could very well become another classic.
