The recent launch of Monster Hunter Wilds‘ Title Update 1 has introduced a wide array of new features, addressing players’ previous concerns regarding game difficulty. While numerous players boasted about easily progressing to High Rank (HR) and farming the Arkveld, this update brings forth a new level of challenge that is sure to test even the most seasoned hunters. With anticipated new monsters introduced in version 1.010, the anticipated difficulty spike is palpable. Capcom appears to have responded decisively to feedback concerning the ease of earlier gameplay, as the latest encounters are far from trivial.
One such formidable foe is the final boss, Zoh Shia, making a dramatic return in this update. This creature has become notorious for its devastating full-screen attacks and intricate mechanics, offering a stark contrast to its previous iteration in Low Rank (LR) encounters. Previously, players had only one opportunity to hunt Zoh Shia in Wilds, which has now added extra layers of intimidation to these renewed challenges. Not only does the HR Zoh Shia exhibit an entirely different set of abilities, but its updated version also sets the stage for the kinds of challenges hunters can expect in future updates. Indeed, with great risk comes the promise of great rewards.
Zoh Shia Is Back, & The Final Boss Is Not Playing Around
Even Better Than I Imagined
Initially, I wasn’t certain what to anticipate with Zoh Shia’s revival. The new encounter promised a thrilling experience, and it has far exceeded my expectations. HR Zoh Shia can almost be classified as a different monster entirely; its move-set has seen radical retooling. I found myself revisiting footage of earlier encounters to fully appreciate the extent of the alterations, confirming that the training wheels are effectively off.
Beyond just increased difficulty, HR Zoh Shia is an awe-inspiring spectacle. Its jet-black transformation introduces a perilous full-stage metamorphosis, engulfing the arena in flames and compelling hunters to retreat to the zone’s perimeters. This encounter feels like a fitting climax for the base game of Wilds regarding both challenge and scale—a feat made even more impressive by its inclusion among the earliest new hunts. In reflecting on the title updates in previous editions, I can hardly recall a monster as formidable as Zoh Shia.
When drawing comparisons between the inaugural title updates of World and Wilds, the distinctions are striking. While World introduced the iconic Deviljho with its fearsome tail, it lacked the same level of visual and challenge-driven spectacle that Zoh Shia brings to the table. While it may seem unfair to juxtapose Wilds’ final boss with Deviljho, one cannot ignore that Xeno’jiiva, the endgame boss of World, provided a markedly less dynamic experience.
The enhancements in creature encounters extend beyond Zoh Shia; Wilds’ Mizutsune now embodies characteristics of an almost completely new monster.
What Zoh Shia brings to Monster Hunter is more than just visual flair; it infuses excitement back into the hunt. After successfully defeating this beast, the chance to engage in the elusive re-hunt quests proves to be a genuine delight, as Zoh Shia strikes a remarkable balance between dramatic presentation and engrossing gameplay. Historically, Monster Hunter encounters have occasionally skewed too heavily towards one aspect, exemplified by World’s infamous Zorah Magdaros. For these reasons, I confidently assert that Zoh Shia represents Capcom’s finest final boss design to date, artfully blending the raw intensity of the hunt with an impressive visual display.
Wilds’ Difficulty Just Got A Major Spike
The Series Cycle Continues
There’s no denying that the difficulty concerns plaguing Wilds have been comprehensively addressed. While grievances regarding the challenge level of Monster Hunter titles are commonplace, it seemed particularly pronounced for Wilds, as players experienced a notable surplus of easily defeated monsters. However, that narrative has shifted dramatically with Zoh Shia raising the difficulty bar in a breathtaking manner. Despite the arsenal of new tools available to players—such as generating wounds or perfect guarding—Zoh Shia remains an imposing foe.
Generating wounds has become increasingly challenging, especially when targeting Zoh Shia’s vulnerable jet-black extremities proves ineffective. Its area of effect fire breath, in particular, delivers a punishing experience that feels exacerbated by longer animations. I confess there have been embarrassing instances when Zoh Shia quickly carted me, leading to a rapid accumulation of failures. Even with defensive gear maxed out, Zoh Shia packs quite the punch.
For players pushing the boundaries of skill, there’s no doubt that Zoh Shia has significantly raised the stakes, offering a sharp contrast to the previously manageable encounters that weaker adversaries presented. As the current trajectory suggests, this is merely the tip of the iceberg, with more daunting, agile, and dangerous foes emerging on the horizon in Wilds.
More Difficult Hunts Are On The Way
Arch-Tempered Rey Dau & Lagiacrus Will Add Even More Punch
Looking ahead, the long-awaited arrival of Arch-tempered Rey Dau promises an exhilarating event quest that is sure to engage hunters everywhere. Capcom has set a high bar with the introduction of this formidable variant and Rey Dau, known as one of the apex creatures, presents a thrilling foundation for future challenges. With expansion teasing at the edges of content possibilities, I eagerly anticipate unveiling Master Rank versions of the new creatures, particularly as the oncoming wave of suffixes adds depth and complexity to these confrontations.
Converted from a game with notably easier encounters, Wilds has reshaped itself into a pioneering platform for challenging end-game hunts. While untouched by elder dragons, the escalating difficulty has sparked interest, with an upcoming plethora of challenge and arena quests promising to enhance the end-game experience. As Master Rank casts its shadow, the developments in Monster Hunter Wilds assure us that the journeys ahead are likely to be rife with daunting challenges.