"Play Monster Hunter: World Before Wilds: Here's Why"

As one of Steam's most eagerly awaited titles, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to make a significant impact. For newcomers to the series, the depth and complexity of Monster Hunter games can be daunting. While Wilds will likely include a comprehensive tutorial, diving into a previous game can greatly enhance your understanding and enjoyment. Before you embark on the thrilling adventure that awaits in Monster Hunter Wilds, we strongly recommend exploring 2018's Monster Hunter: World.

Our recommendation of World isn't tied to any narrative continuity or cliffhangers. Instead, it's because Monster Hunter: World closely mirrors the style and structure of Wilds. Playing World serves as an excellent introduction to the series' intricate systems and engaging gameplay loop, preparing you for the challenges ahead.

Why Monster Hunter: World?

You might wonder, "Why not play Monster Hunter Rise, the latest in the series, instead of going back to Monster Hunter: World?" While Rise is a fantastic game with its own innovations, such as rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple mechanic, it's clear that Monster Hunter Wilds is built more directly on the foundation laid by World. Rise, originally designed for the Nintendo Switch, prioritizes speed and smaller zones, which contrasts with the larger, seamless areas of World that Wilds aims to expand upon.

Monster Hunter: World features expansive zones and a focus on tracking monsters through a detailed ecosystem, serving as a blueprint for Wilds' expansive open areas. This makes World the ideal game to prepare for what's to come. The open zones in World set the stage for long, thrilling hunts across diverse terrain, a hallmark of the modern Monster Hunter experience that Wilds is expected to continue.

It's worth noting that Wilds' story isn't a direct continuation of World. However, the storytelling and campaign structure in World will help set your expectations for Wilds. You'll encounter familiar elements like the Hunter's Guild and the lovable Palicos, which will also appear in Wilds, though these elements remain distinct and unconnected across the series, much like the Final Fantasy series with recurring characters and motifs.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Beyond understanding the universe and campaign structure, the primary reason to play Monster Hunter: World first is its challenging combat system. Wilds features 14 unique weapons, each with distinct playstyles and strategies, all of which are available in World. Playing World allows you to familiarize yourself with these weapons, helping you decide which one suits your playstyle best, whether it's the agile dual-blades or the powerful greatsword.

In the Monster Hunter series, your weapon is your character's class, dictating your role and approach to each hunt. World teaches you how to upgrade weapons using parts from defeated monsters, navigating the weapon tree to craft higher-level gear. It also emphasizes the importance of positioning and attack angles over brute force, teaching you where to strike for maximum impact. For instance, the Longsword excels at severing tails, while the Hammer is perfect for stunning monsters with head strikes.

Understanding the tempo of each hunt is crucial, and World introduces the Slinger, a versatile tool that returns in Wilds. Mastering when to use items like Flash Pods or poison knives can significantly influence the outcome of a fight. Crafting Slinger ammo from environmental resources is another skill honed in World, preparing you for similar mechanics in Wilds.

As you delve deeper into World, you'll engage with the series' core gameplay loop: tracking monsters, gathering resources, and preparing for battle. This routine becomes second nature, providing a solid foundation for tackling Wilds.

An additional incentive to play Monster Hunter: World is the bonus content available in Wilds. Importing save data from World and its Iceborne expansion grants you exclusive Palico armor sets, adding a fun customization element to your journey.

While playing a previous Monster Hunter game isn't mandatory, the series' unique systems make it beneficial to gain experience beforehand. As Capcom continues to refine the learning curve, playing Monster Hunter: World offers a chance to become fluent in the series' language and community before Wilds launches on February 28, 2025.