The Monster Hunter series has been a lot of things over the past two decades — a niche series hyper-focused on grinding, a brilliant spin on multiplayer and community building, and with 2018’s World a hardcore experience that permeated the mainstream. But with all those things, what Monster Hunter has never been about is narrative. These aren’t games you play for memorable characters and twisty tales, but for the thrill of the hunt — that tantalizing gameplay loop of slaying monsters, upgrading your equipment, and doing it all over again.
That’s exactly why I’m flabbergasted by Monster Hunter Wilds, and the fact that the biggest impression the game has left on me is with its story. It’s a narrative experience that isn’t just “good for a Monster Hunter game,” but genuinely might be one of Capcom’s best in recent years — filled with memorable characters, set-piece moments, and quite thoughtful themes. Exhibit number one on how Wilds is drastically altering the franchise. In this case, it’s absolutely a good thing.
