Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest addition to Capcom's acclaimed beast-battling action series, has finally arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Following the monumental success of Monster Hunter World and its expansive Iceborne update, Wilds is set to captivate fans and newcomers alike. But just how long does it take to conquer this epic adventure? Let's dive into the experiences of the IGN team, exploring their journey through the main story, their time management strategies, and their adventures in the postgame.
Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games
I completed the main campaign of Monster Hunter Wilds in just under **15 hours**, reaching the actual end of the story, unlike the misleading first credit roll in Monster Hunter Rise. However, this only marks the conclusion of the Low Rank section. The High Rank challenges and numerous side quests await, ensuring that your adventure is far from over at this point.
I spent an additional **15 hours** tackling these quests, reaching what I consider the true endgame. This involved battling all available monsters, unlocking all systems and crafting options at launch, and diving into the innovative Artian weapon system. Thanks to the game's streamlined grind, it took just another five hours to optimize my preferred weapons and armor set. Yet, there remains much to explore across other weapon types and beyond.
Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides
I completed the final "story" mission in High Rank around **40 hours** into my playthrough, about **22 hours after seeing the credits for Low Rank**. It's challenging to pinpoint exact times due to my frequent menu idling for guide creation. During the Low Rank phase, I didn't delve deeply into the game's more complex systems, focusing instead on crafting with available resources and progressing through missions without repeating hunts. In High Rank, I occasionally veered off to hunt new optional monsters and engage in multiplayer hunts, which were necessary to unlock further Story Missions.
I only specifically upgraded my weapon once by hunting an extra Ajarakan before pushing to the end. Given more time, my total playtime might have approached 60 hours, allowing for better armor and weapon optimization. Post-credits, I have several side missions and optional quests to complete, along with endemic life-catching and fishing. My plans include farming specific monsters for Talisman upgrades, experimenting with different armor sets, and exploring the Artian weapons through RNG. I'm also looking forward to leisurely replaying the story with friends, trying out new weapons, and tackling upcoming event quests and title updates throughout the year.
Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer
I finished the main story of Monster Hunter Wilds in **just under 16 hours**, a pace that surprised me given my 25-hour journey into Monster Hunter World without seeing the end. As a relative newcomer to the series, I found the battles surprisingly easygoing, though the apex predators did pose some challenge. The game's streamlined approach, reducing the need for extensive tracking, crafting tailored loadouts, and understanding elemental strengths, certainly contributed to this quicker pace.
The consistent flow of story cutscenes intertwined with monster battles until the credits rolled made the experience feel more cinematic and welcoming to new players like myself. While this approach allowed for a swift conclusion to the initial story, I wonder if it might have left some of the series' traditional depth and challenge on the cutting room floor until the post-game begins.
Jada Griffin - Community Lead
It took me about **20 hours** to reach the initial credits in Monster Hunter Wilds, with a significant portion dedicated to optional and side quests, and the rest spent exploring the game's world. I enjoyed discovering hidden paths, hunting endemic life, customizing my radial menus and shouts, and finding optimal camp locations.
Completing all High-rank missions and side quests took me another **15 hours**, allowing me to encounter all post-credits monsters. Since then, I've logged nearly **70 hours** in the post-credits world, engaging in fun hunts with friends, farming decorations, and pursuing monster crowns. While I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with the game, I eagerly anticipate the addition of new monsters in future updates.
Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides
I reached the first credits of Monster Hunter Wilds after about **20 hours**, mainly focusing on the story with occasional detours to craft appealing armor sets and experiment with various weapons, particularly the Switch Axe. My current playtime stands at **65 hours**, and I don't consider those credits the true end. The story feels like an extended tutorial, setting the stage for more hunting adventures and new discoveries. While I'm excited about the ongoing journey, I could do without encountering Congalala again.
