Monster Hunter: World Unveils Gateway to Untamed Wilderness

Mastering Monster Hunter Wilds: Why You Should Play Monster Hunter: World First

With Monster Hunter Wilds among Steam's top pre-ordered games, many will be diving into the series for the first time. While Wilds will undoubtedly have a comprehensive tutorial, the series' complexity may overwhelm newcomers. Before venturing into Wilds' vast and perilous landscapes, consider playing Monster Hunter: World (2018).

This isn't about narrative connections; World's gameplay and structure closely mirror Wilds'. It's the ideal onboarding experience for the series' unique systems and gameplay loop.

Why Skip Rise and Play World?

You might wonder why not play Monster Hunter Rise, the most recent title. While Rise is excellent, Wilds is a direct successor to World, not Rise. Rise, initially developed for the Nintendo Switch, prioritized speed and smaller zones due to hardware limitations. This streamlined the gameplay loop but sacrificed the large-scale, intricate environments that define World. Wilds appears to recapture and expand upon these elements that Rise omitted.

World's expansive zones and emphasis on monster tracking within detailed ecosystems serve as a blueprint for Wilds' even larger open areas. This makes World invaluable preparation. Modern Monster Hunter excels in these open zones, providing thrilling hunts across diverse terrains – a feature Wilds promises to enhance.

Story and Structure: A Familiar Foundation

While Wilds' story is independent of World's, World's narrative approach and campaign structure will set realistic expectations. You'll encounter familiar elements like the Hunter's Guild and Palicos, present in Wilds but unconnected to previous entries. Consider this similar to the Final Fantasy series – recurring elements exist across distinct, independent titles.

Mastering the Combat: Weapon Proficiency

The strongest argument for playing World first lies in its challenging combat. Wilds features 14 weapons, each with unique playstyles; all are present in World. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the complex combat systems and determine your preferred weapon. Each weapon demands mastery, and World provides the perfect training ground.

Weapon Progression and Strategic Combat

Unlike traditional RPGs, your weapon dictates abilities and stats in Monster Hunter. It's akin to a character class. World teaches weapon upgrades using monster parts and the importance of strategic positioning and attack angles over raw damage. Understanding where to strike for maximum impact is crucial.

Utilizing Tools and Understanding the Hunt Tempo

World introduces the Slinger, a crucial tool returning in Wilds. Learning its uses, crafting Slinger ammo, and understanding the crafting system will prove invaluable in Wilds. The overall hunt tempo – tracking monsters, gathering materials, and utilizing the environment – is also crucial and best learned in World.

A Gradual Learning Curve

While not mandatory, playing World before Wilds provides a significant advantage. Capcom has streamlined the learning curve, but the series' unique systems are best learned through experience. While some will enjoy jumping in blind, playing World offers a smoother transition, familiarizing you with the game's mechanics and community. Plus, importing World save data unlocks bonus Palico armor in Wilds! With Wilds' release on February 28, 2025, now's the perfect time to embark on your Monster Hunter journey with World.

What's your Monster Hunter experience?