Monster Hunter Wilds has largely succeeded in fulfilling its promises, boasting the most stunning visuals in the franchise, an intricately detailed open world, exceptionally engaging combat, and a plethora of diverse monsters. As this title pushes the boundaries of the series, it inevitably means that certain features from previous games must be sacrificed. Although the combat experience is unparalleled, particularly with the introduction of Focus Mode, the absence of monster tracking is noteworthy.
As the series trends further away from tracking mechanics, locating monsters becomes increasingly straightforward. Despite the vast, beautifully crafted environments in MH Wilds, the incentive to explore them diminishes. If MH Wilds had retained the tracking feature from Monster Hunter World, players could enjoy a richer hunting experience, encouraging them to engage more deeply with the ecosystems and enhancing customization options, which fans have embraced through the extensive array of outfits available.
MH Wilds Could Benefit From True Rooms Like In World
In MH Wilds, players experience the thrill of venturing into an unexplored land, with the Avis Unit establishing camps throughout the Forbidden Lands, serving as the initial point of contact for newcomers. This setup contrasts sharply with MH World, where a network of seasoned hunters has already laid the groundwork, allowing for a more organized experience within the facilities. While players can customize their campsites in MH Wilds, it lacks the depth of customization found in the Hunter’s room in Seliana.
The Hunter operates alongside the Avis Unit, featuring Olivia from the Astrum Unit as a notable character. Yet, the customization options within the tent are minimal, and there is no progression system that rewards players with enhanced accommodations as they advance. Unlike MH World, which offers room upgrades in Astera based on player achievements, Wilds does not provide a space for players to store and showcase their captured pets, despite the presence of numerous collectible creatures that can be caught during quests.
Collecting Pets Could Encourage Open World Exploration
And Make Use Of The Capture Net
Despite the stunning vistas of the Forbidden Lands, players often lack motivation to explore beyond collecting specific items for crafting or trading. While it’s enjoyable to appreciate the meticulously designed ecosystems alongside a leisurely fishing trip, the option to capture and keep small creatures in a customizable space would incentivize players to interact with their surroundings. MH Wilds sometimes feels directed toward immediate confrontations with monsters, but introducing alternative gameplay elements could enhance the experience.
The capture net allows players to catch fish at designated fishing spots, adding another layer to the gameplay. It’s perplexing that while players have an array of functions available with the capture net—such as when atop a Seikret and through quests from the Hunter’s Palico—the collected data only exists in a log. There is currently no visual representation of these creatures, diminishing the allure of capturing them compared to World, where players were rewarded with visual customization of their pet collection.
In contrast to MH Wilds, World allowed players to fill their non-customizable rooms in Astera with all kinds of captured creatures. In Seliana, players could exhibit plant life, create aquariums, and design spaces using captured fauna. The ability to interact with pets in these spaces, such as feeding or petting them during moments of respite from hunts, added depth to the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable to invest time in such activities.
MH Wilds Already Has The Series’ Best Customization
And Adding Customizable Rooms Will Enhance It Further
Monster Hunter Wilds boasts some of the best customization options available in the franchise, particularly for the Hunter and Palico. Players can meticulously craft their characters, especially at High Rank, leading many to ironically dub the game ‘Fashion Hunter.’ This feature capitalizes on the active multiplayer environment, fostering a sense of community among players.
Even if comprehensive room customization isn’t feasible, MH Wilds should consider providing players with the opportunity to create a mini-ecosystem within their camps, offering space for gardening and pet collection—essentially a personal zoo.
Customization has taken on heightened significance in Monster Hunter Wilds, evident from the vast amount of TikToks and short videos showcasing unique Hunter outfits. This potential could extend to private spaces, positioning Capcom to incorporate microtransactions—a feature they successfully introduced with Seliana’s room. While some may opt to ignore such transactions, the chance to fill rooms with delightful critters could encourage more exploration, enriching the overall gaming experience.