Play Monster Hunter: World Before Wilds: Here's Why

As one of Steam’s most pre-ordered games, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to be a monumental release. For newcomers to the franchise, the complexity and depth of the series can be daunting. While Monster Hunter Wilds will likely include a comprehensive tutorial, diving into a previous game could provide a smoother entry point. If you're eager to prepare for the vast and dangerous world of Wilds, we highly recommend starting with 2018's Monster Hunter: World.

Our recommendation for Monster Hunter: World isn't due to a direct narrative connection or a cliffhanger that leads into Wilds. Instead, it's because World closely mirrors the style and structure of Wilds. By playing World, you'll familiarize yourself with the series' sometimes intricate systems and gameplay loop, setting you up for success in Wilds.

Monster Hunter: World shares much in common with the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds. | Image credit: Capcom

Why Monster Hunter: World?

You might wonder why we suggest 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, not Rise. Rise introduced innovations like rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple, but these came at the cost of the larger, seamless zones found in World. Rise was initially designed for the Nintendo Switch, which influenced its focus on speed and smaller areas, accelerating the hunt-upgrade-hunt cycle but sacrificing some of the scale and depth that World offered. Wilds, on the other hand, seems to be reclaiming and expanding on the expansive zones and detailed ecosystems that World pioneered.

Monster Hunter: World's large zones and emphasis on tracking monsters within a living ecosystem make it the perfect precursor to Wilds' expansive open areas. This game will give you a taste of the thrilling, drawn-out hunts across varied terrain that define modern Monster Hunter. Although Wilds' story isn't a continuation of World's, playing World will set your expectations for the narrative and campaign structure in Wilds. You'll encounter familiar elements like the Hunter's Guild and your feline companions, the Palicos, which will also appear in Wilds. Think of it like the Final Fantasy series, where each game features recurring elements but tells a distinct story.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Beyond understanding the universe and campaign structure, the most compelling reason to play Monster Hunter: World first is its challenging combat. With 14 unique weapons, each with its own playstyle, World allows you to master these before Wilds. Whether you're drawn to the agile dual-blades or the powerful greatsword, World serves as an excellent training ground to learn each weapon's techniques and find the one that best fits your style.

Learning the intricacies of bows, swords, and switch axes is a big part of Monster Hunter. | Image credit: Capcom

In Monster Hunter, your weapon is your lifeline. Unlike traditional RPGs where you gain skills through leveling, your abilities and stats come from your weapon. Each weapon acts like a class or job, defining your role in battles. World will teach you how to upgrade your weapons using parts from defeated monsters and navigate the weapon tree. Moreover, you'll learn the importance of strategic positioning and attack angles over brute force. Knowing where to strike a monster can make all the difference, whether you're using a Longsword to sever tails or a Hammer to stun foes.

Understanding the rhythm of each hunt is crucial. The Slinger, a tool on your hunter's arm, introduces additional combat layers. Learning to use gadgets like Flash Pods or poison knives at the right moments can turn the tide of battle. Since the Slinger returns in Wilds, mastering its use in World will be advantageous. Additionally, World's crafting system will prepare you for Wilds' resource gathering and item creation.

As you delve deeper into World, you'll uncover the series' broader gameplay loop. From tracking monsters to gathering resources, every aspect becomes second nature, giving you a significant advantage when you step into Wilds.

Remember, a hunt in Monster Hunter isn't about a quick kill; it's about understanding and engaging with the creatures. From the fire-breathing Anjanath to the bomb-dropping Bazelgeuse, each monster presents unique challenges. World is the ideal training ground for these encounters, mirroring the scope and spectacle that Wilds promises.

For an added incentive, importing save data from World into Wilds can unlock free Palico armor, and data from the Iceborne expansion offers even more. While it's not necessary to play a previous game before starting a new one, Monster Hunter's unique systems are best learned by playing. As Wilds launches on February 28, 2025, there's no better time to dive into Monster Hunter: World and familiarize yourself with its world, mechanics, and community.