Monster Hunter Wilds: Hands-On Report – PlayStation.Blog

August 22, 2024Last Updated: August 22, 2024

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I recently had the opportunity to play Monster Hunter Wilds, the sequel to the Monster Hunter action hunting series, and take on a single-player quest to hunt the fanged beast Doshaguma.

Seamless, load-free motion

Handler Alma assigns the player the mission of hunting Doshaguma in Windward Plains. Players can now carry two weapons on the mission, so I chose the Switch Axe and Light Bowgun, ensuring tactical flexibility for both close-range and long-range combat.

After getting ready, I set off for Windward Plains on the Seikret I could ride. Expecting a familiar loading screen, I was instead greeted with a seamless transition into the field. That’s right, the base camp was now seamlessly integrated into the game’s larger world.

Ride the agile, priceless Seikret

Seikret boasts an autopilot option, allowing me to drive hands-free to the location Alma marked on my map. This beast’s off-road capabilities remind me of my companions Jagras and Kestodon in Monster Hunter World.

Even in autopilot mode, the player can still control Seikret with the left joystick, allowing them to deviate from the path if they spot something that catches their attention. Once they’re done exploring, Seikret will continue on autopilot to Doshaguma’s location. I was surprised to still be able to collect items and use weapons while riding on my mount.

The big poop balls repel the monsters.

Upon reaching my destination, I encountered a pack of Doshaguma, the largest of which was the quest target. After I hit the boss, the rest of the pack immediately trampled me. Dealing with multiple monsters and bosses at once added to the challenge of this hunt.

To break up the pack, the newly introduced Large Dung Pods proved to be very effective. Firing a dung ball at the pack would cause a toxic explosion that would disintegrate the entire pack. After a chuckle at the comical sight of the monsters being repelled, it was time to give chase. I whistled for my feathered mount – which had remained nearby throughout my encounter – to return to my side. Back in the saddle, I resumed my hunt.

SOS flare summons NPC to support hunter

While I was hunting Doshaguma with the Palico, an SOS Flare tutorial popped up on the screen. Current Monster Hunter players know that SOS Flare allows players to recruit other players in the quest to play multiplayer. However, in Wilds, you can enjoy the same feature and also summon NPC hunters. I’m sure Wild players will find this unique feature—allowing them to enjoy a four-player multiplayer challenge, even when playing solo—quite enjoyable.

New wound system and focus mode enhance hunting ability

When attacking Doshaguma with the Slash Axe, I noticed glowing red dots starting to form at the points of impact and quickly realized that aiming at these weak points caused significantly more damage. Holding down the L2 trigger to activate Focus Mode effectively maximizes damage. In Focus Mode, an on-screen reticle and a red glow over the monster’s wound make aiming easier, and the player can also use a special Focus Attack to deal massive damage.

Switch between weapons easily

I didn’t forget to try out my other weapon, the Light Bowgun. In Wilds, weapons can be switched even while riding Seikret. As mentioned, Seikret can be summoned with a whistle during combat, and players can switch weapons with the right directional button while riding on its back. In addition to these notable features, players can now use healing items or whetstones while riding this trusty companion.

The L2 trigger, which previously activated Aim Mode for ranged weapons like the Light Bowgun in Monster Hunter World, now also functions as the new Focus Mode in the upcoming title. Players familiar with the Light Bowgun will likely get used to this new Focus Mode pretty quickly. When aiming at a monster’s wound, landing a heavy blow will trigger a wound destruction notification, creating a prime opportunity for additional attacks on the incapacitated monster.

Dramatic Hunting in the Sandstorm

As I pursued my Doshaguma target, the weather suddenly changed, pushing me into a sandstorm. Although it was unclear whether the hunting process had anything to do with this change, the darkening sky and the rumbling thunder added to the suspense of the hunt’s impending climax. Lightning struck the ground nearby, taking me completely by surprise. I believe that the ability to adapt to changes in the weather is a key factor in successful hunting.

While my time hunting down and eventually defeating Doshaguma was short, I was able to experience smooth and seamless traversal, break up groups, play with support hunters, test out the new Wound System and Focus Mode, swap weapons, and witness extreme weather changes during my time playing. I’m excited to see what other information Capcom has to share about Monster Hunter Wilds before its release in 2025.

August 22, 2024Last Updated: August 22, 2024

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