Action RPG

Monster Hunter Wilds’ Open World Shocks With Stunning Visuals and Seamless Gameplay

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In the upcoming “Monster Hunter Wilds,” Capcom is incorporating numerous new elements, but the most notable change might be the open-world environment. Unlike previous “Monster Hunter” games where the environments were large but separated by loading screens, “Wilds” offers a seamless transition, allowing players to step straight out of camp and explore areas like the Windward Plains without any loading screens.

It appears that all the regions will be linked together (currently, only the Windward Plains are available in the beta), enabling players to explore various environments simultaneously, much like a large-scale version of the Guiding Lands from Iceborne. This change initially gave me pause, primarily due to Monster Hunter never having an open world before, and I felt that the previous formula of loading into a specific area worked well. However, the beta has helped ease my worries, providing insight into what Capcom has been developing in preparation for the full release of MH Worlds.

Monster Hunter Wilds’ Open World Is A Natural Evolution For The Series

More Than Just A Gimmick

As a gamer, whenever a game series decides to transition into an open world, it often sparks a twinge of worry. It seems like jumping on the open-world bandwagon can sometimes feel like an obligatory move to include a trendy buzzword and attract a broader audience, which was something I had concerns about when diving into the first open beta for MH Wilds back in August. Frankly, I didn’t see any issues with how Monster Hunter crafted its environments, and I would have been content with a more extensive and densely packed replica of the hunting areas from MH World.

In the initial beta version, I wasn’t able to fully express my thoughts about the open world setting. Instead, I was left speechless by the 100-player lobbies in MHW and spent most of my time figuring out what changes had been made to my favorite Charge Blade, all while marveling at the realistic monster muscle physics. After the second beta, I got to roam the Windward Plains and appreciate the ever-changing weather patterns. I couldn’t help but complain that we didn’t have enough time to hunt the Arkveld. This experience made me yearn to delve deeper into the world of MHW.

In MH World, I found the process of doing Expeditions or gathering missions time-consuming, as it seemed like a waste of time to travel to an area only to gather mushrooms with all the loading involved. However, in MH Wilds, going on an Expedition would be much more efficient, as players could simply venture out into the open world to explore without any loading screens. The expansive Windward Plains, which accommodate more monsters, are made even more appealing by the Seikret mount and the ability to set up campsites for teleportation and rest, ensuring that travel doesn’t become tiresome.

MH Wilds’ Open World Feels Real In The Beta

From Monster Herds To Excessive Lightning

I adore the Monster Hunter series, captivated by its meticulous approach to ecology. While it’s thrilling to clash swords with fiery beasts, what truly impresses me is Capcom’s dedication to creating a world that feels alive, complete with complex hierarchies and thriving ecosystems. Although the Windward Plains may not boast much vegetation, its expansive landscape hosts larger monster populations, including alpha-led packs such as the Doshuguma in the beta. This open-world design enhances the sense of hierarchy by providing ample space for these creatures to roam and interact.

As a game enthusiast, I’m utterly captivated by the way the Windward Plains seem to pulse with life. The weather systems transition so smoothly, it feels as if they’re part of a living, breathing entity. During the beta, when storms rolled in, lightning would dance across the natural spires and the backs of non-hostile creatures, giving the impression that even the wildlife has evolved to cope with these tempests. This sense of unity between the environment and the weather is amplified by making Rey Dau the dominant beast of the region, despite its eventual destruction at the hands of Arkveld. It’s as if I’m part of a world where nature and weather are one dynamic force, just waiting to be tamed.

It’s not just MH Wilds that gives off the vibe of a lively, dynamic world; numerous games have been commended for this in the past. I experienced something similar with World and Iceborne, and the open-world aspect only intensified this sensation. Having multiple monsters running around is quite delightful, especially when all the monsters in MH Wilds are finally available post its full release. Encounters with Turf Wars while exploring the world can only be a positive addition.

The Open World Of MH Wilds Is More Than Just A Gimmick

The Open World Adds, Not Subtracts

As a gamer, I can tell you that Capcom has put a lot of thought into expanding the open world experience in this new Monster Hunter game. They’ve introduced a secret mount for traversal, mobile camps, and dynamic weather systems. It’s not just about making the game more accessible, although that does seem to be a focus with Monster Hunter Rise, considering its heavier story emphasis and how Alma assists new players in selecting their weapon. It feels like these features were always planned for when the technology was ready, rather than a shift to appeal to the masses at the expense of the series’ unique identity.

My reservations about the open world are no longer about the underlying concepts and design approach; instead, they stem from potential performance concerns, particularly on PC platforms. Capcom’s track record with porting Monster Hunter titles has been inconsistent, with World and Iceborne seemingly experiencing the most difficulties. Although the second beta demonstrates a significant enhancement in performance, the entire open world could potentially strain maintaining frames, even for high-end PCs. The RE Engine (the engine powering MH Wilds) is being stretched to its maximum capacity.

As a dedicated fan, I must say that despite some performance hiccups, the second beta of Monster Hunter Wilds has left me convinced that transforming it into an open world was absolutely the right move. This change grants Capcom the freedom to further enliven the game’s universe. Although I’ll dearly miss the denser home bases like Astera and Seliana, it’s a small price to pay for the opportunity to traverse such expansive landscapes teeming with even more monstrous creatures. In many ways, Monster Hunter Wilds seems to be edging closer to the open-world successes of games like Elden Ring and Zelda: Breath of the Wild, rather than emulating the efforts seen in the new Saints Row or Dynasty Warriors 9.

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2025-02-12 02:38

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