Monster Hunter Wilds is the sixth mainline installment in Capcom’s beloved beast-slaying series, so here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming game.
Fans of Monster Hunter were shocked when Wilds was announced at The 2023 Game Awards, and there’s certainly a lot of hype surrounding the sixth mainline installment in Capcom’s iconic beast basher.
Now, thanks to multiple trailers, previews, and a showcase, we know a lot more about the upcoming release.
Monster Hunter Wilds release date
Monster Hunter Wilds will be released on February 28, 2025. The date was locked in during the September 24, 2024 State of Play, with it previously having a release window of early 2025.
Platforms
Upon launch, Monster Hunter Wilds will be available to play on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Capcom confirmed in a stakeholder meeting that it would not be coming to Nintendo Switch.
This was a somewhat obvious revelation given the level of fidelity on display in Monster Hunter Wilds’ trailers and previews. Whether or not it could be ported to a possible Switch 2 is yet to be seen.
All trailers so far for Monster Hunter Wilds
Along with The Game Awards announcement came an official reveal trailer, highlighting a little more about what to expect from Wilds. You can watch it below:
Sony also unveiled a new trailer during its May 30 State of Play, showing off more gameplay. It was jam-packed with exciting details, including a tonne of new characters, cinematic hunting moments, and herds of monsters interacting in ways we’ve never seen before.
One of the most notable things from the State of Play trailer is the graphics, which look to be a step up from Monster Hunter World.
Additionally, Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 showcased another trailer previewing more monster battles, and some story cutscenes.
A fourth trailer was shared on September 26, 2024, during a State of Play presentation. This one finally gave fans the confirmed release date of February 28, 2024, as well as a look at some pre-order bonuses.
The latest trailer was revealed by Capcom on October 23, 2024. It gives players a look at some new locales they’ll be exploring in the game, as well as even more monsters to fight.
Showcase livestream
On October 23, 2024, a showcase was broadcast that gave fans some new exciting details about Wilds, including 3 new monsters, a new locale to explore, and details about the Open Beta test.
You can check out the full stream below:
Open Beta test platforms & dates
During the broadcast, Capcom shared that there will be an Open Beta test for the game for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. It’ll include a story trial, character customization, and a chance to fight Doshaguma.
It will be available at the following times:
- October 31, 2024, 8 PM PT – November 3, 2024, 6:59 PM.
- November 1, 2024, 3 AM GMT – November 4, 2024, 2:59 AM
PlayStation Plus subscribers will also get early access to the test at the following times:
- October 28, 2024, 8 PM PT – October 30, 2024, 7:59 AM
- October 29, 2024, 8 PM GMT – October 31, 2024, 2:59 AM
Monster Hunter Wilds gameplay mechanics
On August 5, 2024, Capcom gave players a massive Monster Hunter WIlds info dump that included previews for the game’s basic mechanics, the iconic Greatsword weapon, and a new Focus Mode.
The Basic Mechanics Overview for Monster Hunter Wilds shows off some information that will be common knowledge for series veterans. However, it also confirms many theories that players have had since the initial reveal of the game.
The slinger from Monster Hunter World is back with some new functionality, including the ability to snag items from afar and even interact with environmental hazards without expending ammo. These new capabilities are also accessible on your Seikret mount.
The Seikret looks to work similarly to the Palamutes in Rise, allowing players to consume items, sharpen their weapons, and attack while mounted. It also allows you to swap between weapons on the fly, which is an entirely new mechanic for the franchise.
Speaking of new mechanics, Focus Mode is a game-changing inclusion to Monster Hunter Wilds that allows players more precise control over their weapons. Players will be able to freely aim at the monster they’re hunting with a reticle.
This allows more unwieldy weapons like the Greatsword to turn during charged strikes. Focus Mode also allows for Focus Strikes, which target wounds on the monster by frequently attacking a particular part of it. Every weapon looks to have at least one unique Focus Strike attack.
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PC requirements & system specs for Monster Hunter Wilds
If you’ve seen the preview footage for Monster Hunter Wilds so far, then you know that this game is going to be a… monster. Fans of the franchise will recall the GPU strain that Monster Hunter World had on release. Well, without a high-end rig, you may be in for a similar experience.
Below are the minimum and recommended PC system requirements for Monster Hunter Wilds.
Minimum system requirements
| Minimum system requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| Memory | 16 GB |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 5600 XT |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-10600 or Ryzen 5 3600 |
| File Size | 80 GB |
| OS | Windows 10 or higher |
The caveat with these minimum system requirements is that they will run the game at the lowest possible settings.
With this, you should be able to achieve 720p resolution at 30 FPS. It’s certainly not the ideal way to experience it but at the very least, those whose rig is a little dated can make the attempt.
Recommended system requirements
| Minimum system requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| Memory | 16 GB |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or Radeon RX 6700 XT |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-11600K or Ryzen 5 5500 |
| File Size | 80 GB |
| OS | Up to Windows 11 |
The recommended specs are a little more in line with what you’d see in an up-to-date PC but this will only achieve “medium” settings at 1080p with 60 FPS. Arguably the minimum expectations of most PC gamers.
Achieving high-end visuals from Monster Hunter Wilds on PC will likely require the priciest hardware you can envision.
Pre-orders & editions
There are three editions of Monster Hunter Wilds available to pre-order: The Standard, Deluxe, and Premium Deluxe versions. We’ve got a breakdown of each below:
Standard Edition – $69.99
- Base game
- Gilded Knight Set pre-order bonus (Layered Armor)
Deluxe Edition (Digital only) – $89.99
The Digital Deluxe edition includes the base game, and the Deluxe Pack that comes with the following:
- Feudal Soldier (Hunter Layered Armor Set)
- Fencer’s Eyepatch, Oni Horns Wig (Hunter Layered Armor)
- Soldier’s Caparison, General’s Caparison (Seikret Decoration)
- Felyne Ashigaru Felyne (Layered Armor Set)
- Avian Wind Chime (Pendant)
- Battle Cry, Uchiko (Gesture)
- Hero’s Topknot, Refined Warrior (Hairstyle)
- Hunter’s Kumadori, Special Bloom (Makeup/Face Paint)
- Avis Unit, Monsters of the Windward Plains (Sticker Set)
- Extra Frame – Russet Dawn (Nameplate)
Premium Deluxe Edition (Digital only) – $109.99
The Premium Dexlue edition comes with everything in the Digital edition, two Cosmetic DLC packs, and a Premium Bonus.
Cosmetic DLC Pack One (due for release in Spring 2025):
- One series (five pieces) & one piece Hunter layered armor
- Two Seikret decorations
- Six pendants
- One pose set
- One makeup/facepaint
- One sticker set
- One BGM set
- Two pop-up camp customization contents
Cosmetic DLC Pack Two (due for release in Summer 2025)
- One series (five pieces) Hunter layered armor
- Six pendants
- Two gesture sets
- Two hairstyles
- Two Makeup/Facepaint
- One Sticker set
Premium Bonus (due to release at Monster Hunter Wilds launch)
- Wyverian Ears (Hunter Layered Armor)
- Premium Bonus Hunter Profile Set
- Proof of a Hero BGM (2025 Recording)
All weapons revealed so far
As well as mechanic overviews, Capcom has been sharing full overviews of the weapons that will feature in Wilds. The Greatsword was the first, but the following weapons have also been confirmed:
- Heavy Bowgun
- Insect Glaive
- Great Sword
- Sword & Shield
- Dual Blades
- Bow
- Lance
- Gunlance
- Hunting Horn
- Long Sword
- Switch Axe
- Charge Blade
- Hammer
- Light Bowgun
The Greatsword appears to be retaining many staples, including its charged attacks, impenetrable shoulder bash, and its wide swings for repositioning. The overview also shows a new counter mechanic, a Focus Strike that drags the blade through the monster for multiple hits, and a new finisher-style move.
The True Charged Slash is still present in Monster Hunter Wilds. It looks like the new Focus Mode mechanic will finally let you hit something with it too.
For full overviews on each, you can check out our dedicated weapons guide.
Environments
Monster Hunter Wilds’ environment seems far more expansive and interconnected than previous Monster Hunter games.
We know that weather will play a big part with each zone having distinct versions for times of abundance or hardship.
The Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 trailer showcased some clips of the rich environments players will be able to explore. Apart from the open world, there were also glimpses of bustling towns.
The latest environment we’ve got to see is the Oilwell Basin which is full of burning fires and oil wells.
That’s everything we know about Monster Hunter Wilds so far. For more on the upcoming releases, check out our hubs for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Borderlands 4, Dying Light: The Beast, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, and Mafia: The Old Country.
