Introduction

Believe it or not, I remember playing the very first Monster Hunter game on the PS2 back in 2004. Developed and published by Capcom, it was a breath of fresh air—wielding massive weapons to take down colossal beasts that were quadruple your size. I played a lot of the original Monster Hunter, but as Capcom released new entries over the years, I fell off the franchise.

Monster Hunter Tri and Monster Hunter World were the last two entries that really pulled me back in, though I didn’t invest much time into World, despite not necessarily disliking it. That’s why I wasn’t overly hyped about Monster Hunter Wilds, but I still wanted to rediscover the love I had nearly 21 years ago. So, does Monster Hunter Wilds reignite my passion for the series? Will fans love this latest entry, or does the franchise need a major overhaul? Let’s find out in my review of Monster Hunter Wilds for the PS5!

Watch the Official Trailer

Gameplay

Monster Hunter Wilds makes a smart move in its gameplay format. If you’re a veteran, you can jump right in without a long-winded tutorial, but for newcomers, there are places to get used to the mechanics. Some early battles also serve as training wheels, though the fundamental Monster Hunter formula hasn’t changed in decades. You’re still a hunter taking down massive creatures—and honestly, I’m glad that hasn’t changed.

Brute force alone won’t win battles in Monster Hunter Wilds. Just like in previous entries, the game blends action and tactics. Monsters tower over you, and even with a giant sword or a crossbow that could take down a truck, mindless attacks will lead to a quick death. Your goal is to strike weak points and stop enemy movement. You can execute anime-style special moves, but true success comes from utilizing the tools at your disposal.

Enemies don’t just stand still and let you wail on them—they will strike back, retreat, and recover. Fortunately, you have traps and environmental hazards to turn the tide of battle. I love this aspect of Monster Hunter, as it allows you to manipulate the battlefield and conserve health and resources. Some fights can be brute-forced, but those battles tend to feel dull. I often spammed my Dual Blades (my preferred weapon) just to speed through them.

Exploration & Side Activities

Beyond hunting, Monster Hunter Wilds offers some exploration, and while it isn’t a fully open-world experience, I still enjoyed searching for enemies and raw materials. Wilds is more story-driven than earlier entries before Monster Hunter World, which helped draw me back into the franchise. However, some heavy dialogue moments felt a bit excessive.

The game also features micromanaging elements like cooking for buffs, crafting weapons and armor, and completing side quests. These returning mechanics ensure that the gameplay loop doesn’t grow stale.

Multiplayer & Cross-Play

Monster Hunter Wilds offers online co-op and cross-play. While I didn’t play online extensively, the few multiplayer hunts I joined were smooth, though I did experience some occasional connection drops. Personally, I prefer playing offline to immerse myself in the story, but online play will undoubtedly be invaluable for tougher hunts.

Graphics

The RE Engine was a great choice for Monster Hunter Wilds. While it didn’t push my PS5 to its limits, the visuals are noticeably improved over Monster Hunter World. Cutscenes look solid, and environments are diverse and detailed. You can tweak the FPS cap and graphical settings, but even on default settings, the game looks great—though not quite breathtaking.

Sound

One thing I love is when a game allows you to choose a voice for your character and actually hear them in the story. Monster Hunter Wilds delivers on that front, which is a big plus for me. While there aren’t dozens of voice options, hearing my character speak in cutscenes adds immersion.

Additionally, the OST for Monster Hunter Wilds is fantastic. The classic Monster Hunter theme returns, and the soundtrack dynamically shifts based on combat intensity and story moments, enhancing the experience.

Story

I wasn’t expecting much from the story, but I was pleasantly surprised. While it’s far from revolutionary, it offers enough depth to keep players engaged. Most fans don’t play Monster Hunter for the narrative, but I appreciated the extra effort.

Overall Impression

I think Monster Hunter Wilds will divide some fans. It seems targeted toward newcomers and those returning from a long hiatus—like myself. Veterans may find the early hours tedious as they wait for the real challenges to begin. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Monster Hunter Wilds and am excited to continue playing, both solo and with friends. With DLC likely on the horizon, there’s plenty to look forward to.

Conclusion

Monster Hunter Wilds rekindled my love for the franchise. While it has some minor flaws, I still highly recommend it—whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer. I may not sink hundreds of hours into it, but for now, I can’t put it down.

—Aaron