Practice with the opening missions – PlayStation.Blog

Monster Hunter Wilds, the next installment in the popular hunting action series, is set to launch on February 28 on PS5. I had the chance to play Story Quest at Tokyo Game Show 2024, where I immersed myself in the gameplay from the new storyline introduction to the intense battle against the frog-like amphibian monster, Chatacabra.

Monster Chase in Windward Plains

Story Quest started with the exciting process of creating my character. I was free to customize every detail of the hunter’s appearance and even the hunter’s trusty companion, the Palico.

As the story begins, I find myself traveling through the Windward Plains on a sand ship with the Forbidden Lands Research Commission. Through flashbacks, you learn how your character became part of the commission. Suddenly, the scene cuts to a tense chase where a pack of desert-dwelling Balaharas are chasing a girl riding a Seikret. Without hesitation, I jumped on a Seikret and chased after her to rescue her.

The Chase of Balahara

During this chase scene, my Seikret was on autopilot to catch up with the girl. However, with a little freedom to control the camera angle and my trusty companion, I immersed myself in the action as I jumped over rocks and swooped through the air to close the gap.

When I finally caught up with the girl, I was pursued by the ferocious Balaharas in a breathless chase. They were relentless, closing in on us from every possible direction as I raced across the desert, attacking them with my slingshot and firing sonic bombs.

Seikret’s Merry Trip

Upon discovering that the young girl had been separated from her brother, the hunter decided to go find him. To gain more insight before starting the quest, I sought the advice of the Steward, Alma. She gave me valuable advice on which of the 14 weapons available I should bring along on the trip.

Luckily, the girl’s Seikret remembered the scent of her missing brother, so it knew exactly where to go. Although I was guided to the location automatically, having full control over Seikret’s movements was liberating. I could accelerate and decelerate using R1 and R2 respectively, while holding them made it charge forward or stop quickly. Using the left joystick, as expected, I steered my mount in the direction I wanted. Occasionally, I would circle around, stopping at places that caught my attention. I even took advantage of the hands-free ride to gather hunting items, materials, and use my weapons.

New wound system and SOS fire in the Chatacabra hunt

Upon arriving at the location, the simple task of finding the brother quickly turned into a hunt for a formidable foe when I discovered that the girl’s brother was in imminent danger due to a Chatacabra attack. Taking advantage of the new wound system, I repeatedly attacked that weak spot to deal significant damage. Also new to Monster Hunter Wilds, a Focus mode activated by holding L2 displays an on-screen aiming point to guide my attack location and a red glow over the monster’s wound for easier aiming. The ability to change the aiming point, even while attacking, allowed me to effectively hit the weak spot despite using a heavy, slow-moving weapon like the Great Sword.

By pressing R1 in Focus mode, I discovered the strategic Focus Strike. This special attack works by connecting with a wound or weak point, and it proved to be a great way to deal massive damage and stun enemies. Without a doubt, one of the most satisfying moments in the game was when I destroyed multiple wounds with a single Focus Attack.

While hunting, you can summon your Siekret by pressing the directional key to quickly mount the horse. After mounting the horse, I drank a health recovery potion and used the whetstone to sharpen the weapon.

Another unique feature is the SOS Flare, a tool that summons help from NPC support hunters. Monster rage can be redirected when other hunters join the fight. This is a great way for new players to redirect damage to the series. While this feature is not available in the offline single-player demo, I learned that you can recruit other players while summoning support hunters online.

New stories unfold in forbidden land

After defeating Chatacabra, I rushed back to camp with my rescued brother. The main quest in the first chapter ended with the two newly reunited brothers sharing stories to catch up.

Story Quests are packed with content, from the gripping Balahara chase to taking advantage of the wound system and Focus mode in the challenging hunt for the elusive Chatacabra. As players dive into the main quest, I believe new hunters and those exploring the series for the first time will find themselves enthralled by the world that opens up when Monster Hunter Wilds launches on February 28 on PS5.