Why You Should Play Monster Hunter: World Before Wilds

As one of Steam's most pre-ordered games right now, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to be a massive hit. For those new to the series, the complexity and depth of Monster Hunter games can be overwhelming. While Wilds will likely include a comprehensive tutorial, diving into a previous game can provide a smoother entry into this intricate world. Before you venture into the vast and dangerous landscapes of Monster Hunter Wilds, we highly recommend playing 2018's Monster Hunter: World.

Our recommendation for Monster Hunter: World isn't tied to any narrative continuity or cliffhanger that would leave you confused in Wilds. Instead, it's because World closely mirrors the style and structure of Wilds. Playing World is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the series' often complex systems and gameplay loop, preparing you for what's to come.

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, Wilds appears to be a direct successor to World rather than Rise. Rise introduced innovative mechanics like rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple, but these came at the cost of the larger, seamless zones that World offered. Originally designed for the Nintendo Switch, Rise's smaller zones and faster gameplay loop sacrificed some of the scale and depth that World provided. Wilds seems to be recapturing and expanding upon these elements from World.

World's expansive zones and emphasis on tracking monsters through a detailed ecosystem serve as a blueprint for Wilds' larger open areas. This is why we believe World is the perfect game to prepare you for what's to come. The open zones in World, which serve as stages for long, thrilling hunts across varied terrain, are where modern Monster Hunter truly shines. We expect Wilds to deliver on this, but why wait when you can get a taste of it in World?

It's worth noting that Monster Hunter Wilds' story isn't a direct continuation of World's narrative. However, World's approach to storytelling and campaign structure will set your expectations for Wilds. You'll encounter familiar elements like the Hunter's Guild and your Palico companions, which will also appear in Wilds. These elements are not connected to previous or future entries, much like the Final Fantasy series, where each game features recurring elements but remains distinct.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Beyond understanding the Monster Hunter universe and Wilds' campaign structure, the strongest reason to play Monster Hunter: World first is its challenging combat. Wilds features 14 weapons, each with unique playstyles and strategies, all of which are also present in World. Playing World allows you to familiarize yourself with these weapons, helping you decide which one suits your playstyle best. Whether it's the agile dual-blades or the powerful greatsword, each weapon in Monster Hunter is distinct and requires mastery. World serves as an ideal training ground to learn weapon basics and build proficiency, ensuring you're well-prepared for Wilds.

In Monster Hunter, your weapon is your primary tool, not traditional RPG mechanics like leveling up or skill points. Each weapon acts like a character class, dictating your role and approach to hunts. World teaches you how to upgrade weapons using parts from slain monsters and navigate the weapon tree. It also emphasizes the importance of positioning and attack angles over raw damage output. Understanding where to strike a monster for maximum impact is crucial, whether it's slicing off tails with a Longsword or knocking enemies down with a Hammer.

Mastering the tempo of each hunt in World will give you a significant advantage in Wilds. The Slinger, a tool attached to your hunter's arm, allows you to use special gadgets and ammunition in combat. Learning when to use Flash Pods or poison knives can turn the tide of a fight. The Slinger returns in Wilds, and familiarity with crafting and using its ammo will elevate your gameplay. Additionally, World's gathering and crafting mechanics will prepare you for similar systems in Wilds.

As you become adept with World's weapons and tools, you'll uncover more layers of the Monster Hunter series. The gameplay loop involves tracking monsters, gathering resources like ore and honey, and preparing for the hunt. This routine becomes second nature, and understanding the rhythm of each hunt will be invaluable when you transition to Wilds.

A hunt in Monster Hunter is not about rushing in for a quick kill; it's a deliberate process, especially on your first encounter. Learning to navigate the complexities of each monster, from the fire-breathing Anjanath to the bomb-dropping Bazelgeuse, builds foundational knowledge. With Wilds aiming to capture the scope and scale of these adventures similar to World, the 2018 game is the ideal training ground.

Additionally, if you need another incentive to play Monster Hunter: World before Wilds, you can earn free Palico armor by importing save data from World into Wilds, and another set if you have data from the Iceborne expansion. It's a small perk, but customizing your Palico is always fun.

While it's not necessary to play a previous Monster Hunter game before starting a new one, the series is unique and complex. Capcom has been working to make the learning curve more accessible with each release, but the best way to prepare for Monster Hunter is by playing Monster Hunter. While many will enjoy jumping straight into Wilds, there's no better time than now to play Monster Hunter: World and get acquainted with the series' language and community before Wilds launches on February 28, 2025.