Monster Hunter Wilds is set to be another blockbuster entry in Capcom’s ongoing franchise, the follow-up to the record-breaking Monster Hunter World. Considering this is the successor to Capcom’s best-selling game of all time, there’s heightened anticipation for Monster Hunter Wilds, and it's easily at the top of our list for one of the most exciting new games heading our way next year.
Right now, we've seen several trailers for the new Monster Hunter game, most recently at the September PlayStation State of Play live show and Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024. The teasers have shown us stunning environments, massive beasts, and even some new cooking mechanics! So, yeah, while the game might be a few months away, there's still plenty of exciting news out there.
So, as we get ready for one of the most promising upcoming PS5 games, here's everything you need to know about the Monster Hunter Wilds release date, gameplay, trailers, and more.
Monster Hunter Wilds release date
Monster Hunter Wilds will be released on February 28, 2025. This long-awaited news came our way during the PlayStation State of Play live show on September 24, 2024.
During the presentation, it was also announced that pre-orders are already live for the upcoming game. So, the above release date is pretty much set in stone at this point. It also confirms Capcom's preference for early-year releases since Wilds' predecessor, Monster Hunter World, came out on January 26, 2018.
Monster Hunter Wilds platforms
What's great about Monster Hunter Wilds is that it'll be released across all platforms simultaneously - PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S systems.
This might not be a huge change from Monster Hunter World, which similarly arrived across all platforms at once. Still, it is a pleasant change from the more recent Monster Hunter Rise, which began life as a Nintendo Switch exclusive before hitting console and PC systems.
Everyone should get the chance to play the latest entry to the franchise behind some of the best RPG games of all time. So this platform news is music to our gamer ears.
Monster Hunter Wilds open beta details
The Monster Hunter Wilds open beta test is taking place in two stages with an exclusive PlayStation Plus Early Access Play period for PS5 that starts on October 28 @ 8pm PDT / 11pm EDT / 3am GMT (October 29). This play period for PS5 users will end after a couple of days on October 30 @ 7:59pm PDT / 10:59pm EDT / 2:59am GMT (October 31).
After the exclusive PlayStation Plus Early Access Play period, there will then be an open beta for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC players via Steam. This open beta starts on October 31 @ 8pm PDT / 11pm EDT / 3am GMT (November 1) and ends on November 3 @ 6:59pm PST / 9:59pm EST / 2:59am GMT (November 4).
If you are curious about how to participate in the open beta, its rewards, and what is included, you can read an in-depth breakdown in our handy guide on everything you need to know about the Monster Hunter Wilds open beta test.
Monster Hunter Wilds trailers
The latest Monster Hunter Wilds trailer came during the September PlayStation State of Play, which you can see for yourself above. In the clip, we see at least three new beasts, including the Arkveld, also called "The White Wraith" in-game. It looks like the game's plot will be closely tied to the Arkveld as we learn more about the species previously thought to be extinct.
A Monster Hunter Wilds trailer was also shown a few months ago during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, and was similarly packed with thrills and giant beasts. In the clip from Gamescom, we get to see some new bosses who are equally stunning as they are terrifying. The big standout (that will have all you arachnophobes running) is the massive spider, Lala Barina, and her beautiful nest in the Scarlet Forest.
The trailer features plenty of other beasts and environments that are just as impressive as our new spider overlord, but let's be honest: Lala Barina steals the show here. We also get to see some new cooking animations for our hunters, and it looks like we can now whip up six steaks in one go. Neat!
Monster Hunter Wilds gameplay
As for Monster Hunter Wilds gameplay, the trailer from the previous PlayStation's State of Play showcase gave us some more gameplay details. Along with the cooking and spider boss reveal from Gamescom, the most prominent new feature in the PlayStation trailer above is the new mounts, called Seikrets.
These mounts ferry our hunters around all the different and harsh-looking environments in the game's world. Their sense of smell can actually lead hunters straight to targets, which is a potential game-changer for how we track down monsters. But that's not all - Seikrets can actually carry a weapon for the hunter.
You can see footage of a hunter switching their primary weapon while atop the mount in the trailer, which is a massive new feature for Monster Hunter Wilds. Now we can change out our weapon, like switching Dual Blades to a Charge Blade, without having to head all the way back to our base camp.
Another big new feature is changing weather conditions. Weather can change while you’re out in the middle of a mission - it might go from bright sunshine one minute to chucking it down with rain the next. This is a brand new feature for a Monster Hunter game, and it’ll also change how individual monsters act.
During the most recent PlayStation State of Play live-show trailer, we also spotted at least three new monsters and learned more about the game's plot. It seems like Monster Hunter Wilds' narrative will center around a young boy and his relationship with a mythical beast known as the White Wraith.
Monster Hunter Wilds system requirements
In September 2024, Capcom revealed all the system requirements for Monster Hunter Wilds. So you can get your setup ready ahead of the release date in early 2025! To run the game on its minimum settings (1080p resolution and 30 frames per second), you will need either a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT graphics card.
For your processor, you need either an Intel Core i5-10600, Intel Corei3-12100F, or AMD Ryzen 5 3600. This is alongside 16GB of RAM. And finally, in terms of SSD storage, be sure to free up at least 140GB. It’s a pretty tall order already. However, if you want to run the game at 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second, you’ll need a few extra bits.
For full resolution and with “Frame Generation” enabled, you’ll need a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, or AMD Radeon RX 6700XT graphics card. You will also need an Intel Core i5-11600K, Intel Core i5-12400, AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, or AMD Ryzen 5 5500 processor accompanied with 16GB of RAM.
Monster Hunter Wilds monsters
Let's address one hot topic: the beasties themselves. Monster Hunter fans always love to know which creatures a new game features (and which one a game leaves out), so just below, you’ll find a complete list of all the monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds that we’ve been able to confirm so far.
Arkveld - Also known as the White Wraith, here is a beast that had previously been thought to be extinct. Close to everything about the Arkveld is a mystery, however we know its dangerous thanks to the chain-like appendages on its wings.
Doshaguma - This fearsome new foe is strong and muscular, and looks like it boasts an incredibly tough hide to match its fearsome fangs.
Chatacabra - This amphibian uses its saliva, of all things, to attach rocks and other materials to its skin and form a protective armor-like shield.
Ceratonoth - The male version of these herbivores catch lightning from the sky with the huge horns atop their back, and release it on the ground in a wide discharge to protect their herd.
Dalthydon - Another herbivore creature, this lot have big hard shells right at the front of their heads, and will batter anyone who poses any threat.
Lala Barina - Here is one of the fanciest new temnocerans in the game. Found in the Scarlet Forest, Lala Barinas spin red glowing silk which they use as a weapon and for locomotion.
Rey Dau - This is an apex predator and a flying Wyvern from the Windward Plains. Most often sighted during storms it discharge electricity during attacks and is a high level threat to all hunters.
Uth Duna - Here is a Leviathan that rules the Scarlet Forest. It can be found during downpours but be warned as it has a highly defensive ability. Using the moisture from its environment and its own bodily fluids, it can create a protective veil around itself.
Monster Hunter Wilds characters
Alright, time to meet the newcomers we'll be adventuring around with once Monster Hunter Wilds releases in February 2025.
Alma - The role of the Handler in Monster Hunter Wilds will be filled by Alma, a guild-appointed individual who’ll help us while we’re out in the field.
Gemma - Meet Gemma, our new smithy for Monster Hunter Wilds. Be prepared to spend a hell of a lot of time with our new smithy in Capcom’s new game, crafting and tinkering with armor and weapons.
Nata - Finally for characters, we have Nata. We don't have much information about this new kid right now, but Capcom’s post on the PlayStation Blog says they’ll play a "key role" in Monster Hunter Wilds' story.
See what other adventures await with our roundups of all the upcoming Xbox Series X games and new PC games heading our way.
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