Even with the recently announced updates forMonster Hunter Wilds, which should address some of its most concerning issues, I don’t believe I’ll return to the game anytime soon.The most recent core installment in the Capcom series has been heavily criticizedsince launch for a variety of issues. This includesMonster Hunter Wilds’ performance issues on PC, which have been heavily affecting gameplay.
Another big issue that has been affecting the game since launch is the lack of more endgame content.Capcom has been gradually issuing updates with new monsters to address this, but thelack of Elder Dragons inMonster Hunter Wildshas become a notorious problem. Tempered variants haven’t proven to be enough reason for players to stick around much longer after concluding the main story.
Monster Hunter Wilds Got A Massive New Update
The Patch Issued Bug Fixes & Gameplay Changes
Now, there has been abig update toMonster Hunter Wilds, addressing some of these issues. The update brings forth several optimization patches and bug fixes that should make players’ experience a lot more pleasant, especially on PC.The bug fixes should help the game crash much less, as there had been a large number of reports of crashes after the usage of specific gestures during gameplay.
Additionally, the update also adds more endgame content for players. In total,there are nine new Tempered versions of monsters in 9-star questsfor players who reach HR 100. Furthermore, the patch also improves the appearance rate of monsters at HR 100 or higher, as well as the appearance rate of standard monsters for all hunters.
The monster updates also include the appearance of regular and Tempered versions of Rey Dau and Nu Udra in the Wounded Hollow at HR 100 or higher. Aside from stronger monsters to hunt in the endgame,the patch makes several gameplay tweaks, including quality-of-life updates. For example, players can now set armor, weapons, and talismans as Favorites.
Even theweapons inMonster Hunter Wildsreceived updates with the patch, from bug fixes to balancing adjustments –some of them were modified to a larger extent than others. All the new changes were posted on the officialMonster Hunterwebsite.
Monster Hunter Wilds' Update Isn’t Enough
Adding Tempered Variants Isn’t The Same As New Monsters To Hunt
While the majority of the performance issues seem to have been addressed with the patches so far, the newest update isn’t doing enough to bring back players who may have quit over the past few months followingWilds’ release.The addition of extra Tempered variants for players at HR 100 or higher is great, as it provides more endgame options.
However, it feels like a way of mitigating the lack of content rather than fixing it. Tempered variants are simply stronger versions of existing monsters. While they are stronger and they may even have differences in their movesets,you’ll still be hunting creatures that you faced during the campaign, makingMonster Hunter Wilds’ endgame somewhat easy.
The release calendar for new monsters has been disappointing and bland, as we have to wait for months before seeing a new creature arrive in a game that is already struggling. There are hopes that the possible DLC may fix this, but even so, the creatures may be locked behind a paywall. There has to be a larger influx of event quests with new monsters.
Replaying Monster Hunter Rise & Sunbreak Has Been Delightful
The 2021 Game Is So Much Better Than The Latest Installment In Terms Of Endgame Content
This has been made even more evident to me as I replayMonster Hunter Riseand its DLC,Sunbreak. The base game is already better thanWilds’ campaign, andit ends with a memorable fight against an Elder Dragon, the category of monsters that is absent fromWilds. Of course,Rise’s repertoire of content was built with post-launch updates, but I found myself with so much to do after beating the main story.
As soon as Ibeat Narwa inMonster Hunter Rise, I was given access to a plethora of quests I couldn’t tackle before. This includes a large variety of hunts centered around Elder Dragons.I immediately faced Kushala Daora and Teostra, some of my favorites fromWorld. Moreover, I also had access to monsters like Chameleos and Crimson Glow Valstrax.
The variety of endgame content, especially tougher endgame content, has been a delight to see as I replay the game released in 2021. As I’ve mentioned, I’m aware that the list of content was built over the years after its release, butI’m uncertain whether anything similar will happen withWilds. Surely, we’ll get more hunts and possibly even Elder Dragons.
Nevertheless, the lack of options like this from the get-go is extremely disappointing.It makes me look atRisewith a lot more appreciation than towardWildswith hope and expectation for the future.Wildsmade a lot of improvements, such as investment into the story, better graphics, and more, but it seems to have done so at the cost of what makesMonster Hunterfun in the first place.
I’ve only just initiatedSunbreakagain. Still, I’m already having more fun than going throughWilds’ endgame content – even when that means facing some weaker creatures to rise through the hunter ranks until I get to Malzeno and Gaismagorm (and, eventually, Primordial Malzeno). I’m not convinced thatMonster Hunter Wildswill win me back anytime soon, and it may be years before I try replaying it.
