Mastering Monster Hunter Wilds: Why You Should Play Monster Hunter: World First
With Monster Hunter Wilds among Steam's top pre-ordered games, many will be diving into the series for the first time. While Wilds will undoubtedly offer a comprehensive tutorial, the series' complexity might overwhelm newcomers. Before venturing into Wilds' vast and dangerous world, we strongly recommend playing 2018's Monster Hunter: World.
This isn't about narrative connections; Monster Hunter: World provides the closest gameplay and structural resemblance to Wilds. It's the ideal onboarding experience for the series' sometimes intricate systems and gameplay loop.
Why Monster Hunter: World? Not Monster Hunter Rise?
While Monster Hunter Rise is a fantastic game, Wilds is a more direct successor to World than Rise. Rise, originally designed for the Nintendo Switch, prioritized speed and smaller zones, streamlining the hunt-upgrade-hunt cycle at the expense of World's larger, more immersive environments. Wilds appears to build upon and recapture the expansive scale of World's seamless zones.
World's large zones and emphasis on tracking monsters within detailed ecosystems serve as a blueprint for Wilds' even larger open areas. This makes World invaluable preparation for the thrilling, large-scale hunts across varied terrains that define modern Monster Hunter.
While Wilds' story is independent, World's narrative structure and familiar elements (Hunter's Guild, Palicos) will set expectations appropriately. Think of it like the Final Fantasy series – recurring elements across distinct, unconnected games.
Mastering the Combat
Beyond understanding the universe and campaign structure, the strongest argument for playing World first is its challenging combat. Wilds features 14 weapons, all present in World. Playing World allows you to familiarize yourself with each weapon's unique mechanics and find your preferred playstyle. Mastering these weapons isn't about button-mashing; precise positioning and strategic attacks are crucial. Understanding each weapon's strengths (e.g., Longsword for tails, Hammer for stunning blows) is key to success.
World also introduces the Slinger, a crucial tool returning in Wilds. Learning its effective use (Flash Pods, poison knives) significantly enhances combat. Familiarity with World's crafting system will also prove beneficial in Wilds.
The Hunt's Rhythm
World's gameplay loop – tracking monsters, gathering materials, crafting – becomes second nature. Understanding this rhythm will provide a significant advantage in Wilds. Each hunt is a deliberate, strategic experience, not a simple kill-and-move-on affair. Mastering this pacing, from facing an Anjanath to a Bazelgeuse, builds essential foundational knowledge.
Bonus: Importing save data from World (and Iceborne) into Wilds unlocks free Palico armor.
Conclusion
While not mandatory, playing Monster Hunter: World before Wilds provides invaluable preparation. While the series strives for easier onboarding, its unique systems are best learned through experience. While some will enjoy jumping in blind, there's never been a better time to experience World and prepare for Wilds' February 28, 2025 launch.
