Monster Hunter Wilds producer Ryozo Tsujimoto has confirmed that the monster-slaying RPG is indeed getting an expansion, but it won't be announced in full until summer.
Since Monster Hunter arrived on the scene, it's customary that it gets an expansion, adding Master Rank (or G Rank) to the game. Typically, these manifested in re-releases like Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (for Monster Hunter 2) or the "Ultimate" editions of Monster Hunter 3 and 4. However, since Monster Hunter World, these have instead been expansions, with World's Iceborne and Rise's Sunbreak both releasing just a year after their original release.
So it wasn't a matter of whether Monster Hunter Wilds would get an expansion, but when. And while I expected it to show up in flashy trailer form at this week's PlayStation State of Play, it was just confirmed in the most low-key way possible.
In the Monster Hunter Wilds 1st Anniversary Message video posted on YouTube, Tsujimoto confirmed "We are currently at work on a large scale expansion – similar to Monster Hunter World: Iceborne and Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak – for Monster Hunter Wilds." And while there was no flashy trailer or monster announcements to go alongside it, Tsujimoto adds, "we plan to share more information with you this summer," presumably pegging it for a Summer Game Fest or PlayStation Showcase spotlight this June.
Obviously, this was inevitable, but I can't say I expected such a low-key confirmation of the expansion. Sunbreak was the opening act of a Nintendo Direct with a big, flashy trailer. However, with how much of a mess Wilds was, I wouldn't be shocked if the expansion was running a little bit behind schedule while Capcom figured out how to fix the game. And with the latest patch finally making the PC version good, I'd say now is a good time to take the victory lap.
Monster Hunter Wilds Steam reviews on the mend following Capcom's latest performance patch.
