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

As one of Steam's most pre-ordered games, Monster Hunter Wilds is set to be a colossal entry in the series. For newcomers, the complexity and depth of the Monster Hunter universe might be overwhelming. While Wilds will undoubtedly provide a robust tutorial for beginners, diving into a previous game can offer valuable insights and a smoother transition into the world of monster hunting. Before embarking on the expansive and perilous journey of Monster Hunter Wilds, we highly recommend experiencing the 2018 gem, Monster Hunter: World.

Our recommendation of World isn't tied to any narrative prerequisites for Wilds. Instead, it's because Monster Hunter: World shares a strikingly similar style and structure to Wilds. By playing World, you'll familiarize yourself with the intricate systems and gameplay loops that are the hallmark of the series, setting a solid foundation for your adventures in Wilds.

Monster Hunter: World shares much in common with the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds. | Image credit: Capcom

Why Monster Hunter: World?

If you're familiar with Capcom's recent releases, you might wonder why we're suggesting Monster Hunter: World over the more recent Monster Hunter Rise. While Rise is an excellent game and the latest in the series, Wilds appears to be a direct successor to World rather than Rise.

Rise introduced innovations like rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple mechanic, enhancing the series' core gameplay. However, these features came at the cost of the expansive, seamless zones that World offered. Originally designed for the Nintendo Switch, Rise focused on speed and smaller zones, which streamlined the hunt-upgrade-hunt cycle but lost the grand scale and intricate ecosystem interactions of World. It's these elements that Wilds aims to recapture and expand upon.

Monster Hunter: World is the blueprint for Wilds' expansive open areas, emphasizing tracking monsters through detailed ecosystems. This makes World the ideal preparatory game for Wilds, as it showcases the thrilling hunts across vast terrains that define modern Monster Hunter games. While Wilds will likely deliver on this promise, why wait when you can experience it in World?

It's worth noting that Wilds' story isn't a direct continuation of World's. Nonetheless, World's approach to storytelling and campaign structure will help set your expectations for Wilds. You'll encounter key elements like the Hunter's Guild and your trusty Palico companions, which will also appear in Wilds, albeit in a new context. Think of it like the Final Fantasy series, where recurring elements like Cid and Chocobos appear across games, yet each entry is a standalone experience.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Beyond understanding the Monster Hunter universe and Wilds' campaign structure, playing Monster Hunter: World offers the best way to master the series' challenging combat. With 14 unique weapons, each with distinct playstyles and strategies, World allows you to experiment and find the weapon that best suits your style, whether it's the agile dual-blades or the powerful greatsword.

Learning the intricacies of bows, swords, and switch axes is a big part of Monster Hunter. | Image credit: Capcom

In Monster Hunter, your weapon is your lifeline. Unlike traditional RPGs where you gain skills through experience, your abilities and stats are tied directly to your weapon, functioning much like a character class. World teaches you how to upgrade your weapons using parts from defeated monsters, guiding you through the weapon tree.

The game also emphasizes strategic combat, where positioning and attack angles are crucial. Understanding which parts of a monster are most vulnerable to your weapon is key. For example, the Longsword excels at slicing tails, while the Hammer is perfect for stunning enemies with headshots. Mastering these nuances in World will set you up for success in Wilds.

The Slinger, a tool on your hunter's arm, adds another layer to combat. Learning when to use Flash Pods or poison knives can turn the tide of a fight. As the Slinger returns in Wilds, mastering its use in World will enhance your gameplay. Crafting Slinger ammo from environmental resources will also familiarize you with World's crafting system, which is similar to what you'll encounter in Wilds.

As you delve deeper into World, you'll uncover the series' signature gameplay loop of tracking monsters, gathering resources, and engaging in hunts. This tempo is crucial for success in Wilds, making World an invaluable training ground.

Lastly, for an extra incentive, importing save data from World into Wilds grants you free Palico armor, and data from the Iceborne expansion provides additional armor sets. It's a small but delightful bonus for fans.

While it's not necessary to play a previous Monster Hunter game before starting Wilds, the series' unique systems and depth make World an excellent preparation tool. As Wilds launches on February 28, 2025, there's no better time to dive into Monster Hunter: World and immerse yourself in its world, mechanics, and community.