Based on this article by Brandon Morgan, the five most essential items to craft in Monster Hunter Wilds are:

1. Mega Potions – Created by combining Potion and Honey, these heal a moderate amount of health and are recommended to carry in large quantities (10-30)
2. Deodorant – Produces cleansing smoke that cures blastblight and stench status effects, which can prevent healing
3. Energy Drinks – Made from Nitroshroom and Honey, these boost stamina and reduce sleepiness effects
4. Armorskin – Created using Catalyst and Adamant Seed, this boosts defense to help survive powerful monster attacks
5. Dust of Life – Crafted from Godbug Essence and Gloamgrass Bud, it creates a healing cloud that restores health for you and nearby players.

The article also emphasizes the importance of collecting crafting resources while exploring, as they’ll accumulate quickly in your inventory. It seems Monster Hunter Wilds continues the franchise’s focus on preparation being just as important as the actual combat.

Monster Hunter Wilds: Review

Introduction

Monster Hunter Wilds represents the next evolutionary leap for Capcom’s acclaimed franchise. It builds upon the foundations laid by Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise while introducing revolutionary new systems and a breathtaking open world. Released in early 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, Wilds delivers an unparalleled hunting experience that both veterans and newcomers can appreciate.

Gameplay: The Art of the Hunt Refined

Combat and Weapons

Monster Hunter Wilds retains the series’ signature deliberate combat while introducing subtle refinements to each of the 14 weapon types. The standout addition is the new Wyvern Tamer weapon class, which allows hunters to temporarily command small flying wyverns to assist in combat. Each weapon feels distinct and offers incredible depth, with expanded movesets that provide both technical options for veterans and accessible entry points for newcomers.

The Wire-based mobility introduced in Rise has evolved into the new “Wilder Arts” system, offering weapon-specific special moves that can dramatically change your hunting approach without sacrificing the tactical, weighty feel that defines Monster Hunter combat.

The Living Ecosystem

Where Wilds truly innovates is in its dynamic ecosystem. Monsters now interact with the environment and each other in unprecedented ways. The new “Adaptive Behavior System” means monsters learn from encounters, changing tactics based on your weapon choice and fighting style. A Rathalos that’s repeatedly flash-bombed will begin to anticipate and dodge these tactics, forcing hunters to continually adapt their strategies.

Weather conditions dramatically impact both hunters and monsters, with the new “Wildstorm” events creating tense, unpredictable scenarios that can either aid or hinder your hunt. Seeing a monster’s behavior change during a thunderstorm or watching predator-prey dynamics unfold naturally creates a truly immersive world.

Technical Achievement

Graphics and Performance

On current-gen hardware, Monster Hunter Wilds is stunning. The vast open landscapes feature incredible draw distances with no noticeable pop-in, while the detailed monster designs showcase meticulous attention to texture work and animation. The game runs at a stable 60fps on PS5 and Xbox Series X with dynamic 4K resolution, with Performance and Quality modes allowing players to prioritize framerate or visual fidelity.

PC players benefit from additional graphical options and uncapped frame rates, though the game’s demanding nature requires substantial hardware to run at maximum settings.

Sound Design

The audio design deserves special mention. Each monster has unique vocalizations that communicate its emotional state, helping observant hunters anticipate behavior changes. The orchestral soundtrack dynamically responds to the intensity of hunts, while environmental sounds, from howling desert winds to the peaceful ambience of forest glades, create a convincing sense of place.

Content and Progression

Story and World

Set in the mysterious “Forbidden Wilds,” the narrative follows your custom hunter investigating anomalous monster migrations and environmental changes. While still not the focus of the game, the story is more cohesive than previous entries, with well-directed cutscenes and memorable characters guiding players through the various biomes.

The hub town of Novagarde serves as your base of operations, a vibrant settlement built around ancient ruins that expands and evolves as you progress through the story. The design beautifully blends various cultural influences while maintaining the whimsical charm the series is known for.

Progression Systems

The core progression loop remains familiar—hunt monsters, craft gear, hunt stronger monsters—but is enhanced by the new “Hunter’s Legacy” system that allows for meaningful character development beyond equipment. As you complete hunts and explore, you unlock permanent upgrades to your character’s abilities, such as increased gathering speed, enhanced survival skills, and specialized hunting techniques.

The endgame has been substantially expanded with the “Wildlands Expedition” system, procedurally generated hunting grounds with unique monsters and rewards that ensure longevity beyond the primary campaign.

Multiplayer

Cooperative hunting remains the heart of the Monster Hunter experience, and Wilds streamlines the process of joining friends. The new “Hunting Horn” app allows players to seamlessly drop in and out of hunts without the cumbersome lobby system of previous games. Cross-platform play between all systems ensures a healthy multiplayer ecosystem.

The difficulty scaling for multiplayer hunts has been refined. When more hunters join, monsters gain new behaviors and attack patterns rather than just increased health pools.

Accessibility and Onboarding

Acknowledging the series’s reputation for complexity, Wilds includes the most comprehensive tutorial systems to date. The “Hunter’s Companion” feature provides contextual guidance without being intrusive, while the Training Grounds allow for consequence-free practice with all weapon types.

Quality-of-life improvements abound, from streamlined crafting to enhanced inventory management. Veterans can disable many of these features for a more traditional experience if desired.

Criticisms

Despite its many achievements, Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t without flaws. The initial loading times can be lengthy, particularly when first entering a new region. Some may find the early game pacing slow, with the most exciting monsters and features unlocking after 15-20 hours of play.

The camera can still struggle during intense battles in confined spaces, and some environmental hazards feel unfairly punishing, particularly for solo hunters.

Conclusion

Monster Hunter Wilds represents the pinnacle of the action hunting genre. By thoughtfully evolving core systems while introducing innovative new features, Capcom has created a game that respects its legacy while pushing boldly forward. The stunning visuals, refined gameplay, and sheer volume of content make it an essential experience for action game enthusiasts.

Whether you’re tracking a rare monster across windswept dunes as a sandstorm approaches, coordinating with friends to take down a behemoth, or simply exploring the breathtaking environments at your leisure, Monster Hunter Wilds offers hundreds of hours of captivating gameplay. It’s not just the best Monster Hunter to date—it’s one of the most impressive action RPGs of this console generation.

Score: 9.5/10

Exceptional monster designs, refined combat, groundbreaking ecosystem simulation, and meaningful progression systems create an unparalleled hunting experience that sets a new standard for the genre.

Buried beneath layers of intricate and repetitive menus, Monster Hunter Wilds stands out as one of the most accessible games in recent years. For one particular player diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy, this accessibility is a game-changer. The condition has left his right hand weakened, reducing it to a limp, imprecise claw that struggles with rapid or complex inputs.

In his gaming journey, he has come to depend on features like gyro aim, macros, and controllers equipped with extra paddles. While these can often be integrated into modern PC games through Steam Input, native support for customisable control options is invaluable. It prevents any odd conflicts from arising and ensures a smoother gameplay experience.

Monster Hunter Wilds excels in this area, offering robust and flexible control settings that cater to players with diverse needs. This thoughtful design choice makes the game not only accessible but also enjoyable for those who require such accommodations. For him, it’s not just about playing a game; it’s about being part of a world where he can fully engage and compete.

After a few hours spent clearing out the early ranks and experimenting with various configurations, the player finally settled on a high-sensitivity, hybrid gyro-based setup. This innovative approach allowed for swift wrist movements to aim blades and blowguns, even enabling one-handed play when fatigue set in. These options proved transformative as the player ventured into more challenging hunts.

Much discussion surrounded the difficulty of Wilds compared to other Monster Hunter games. By all accounts, it was considered the most straightforward instalment in the series, noticeably more so than even Rise.

The “real” game began after the credits rolled, ushering players into the familiar hunt-craft-hunt cycle. Despite its lower difficulty on a first playthrough, the game offered an unexpectedly engaging campaign with a strong narrative focus. While veteran hunters might feel like they’re stuck with training wheels for too long, newcomers found no obstacles in their path to see the story through to its end.

In the world of Monster Hunter Wilds, players won’t find traditional difficulty settings. However, hidden within the game settings menu are options that subtly adjust the challenge. These tweaks allow adventurers to modify the behaviour of AI support hunters. By toggling these settings, players can decide how much of Wild’s intense combat mechanics the AI companions will utilise. Interestingly, all these features are enabled by default.

The support hunters in Monster Hunter Wilds can be tailored to suit a player’s needs. Gamers can choose to empower or weaken these AI allies based on personal preference. This flexibility is a testament to Capcom’s dedication to player choice.

When it comes to inputs, Wilds offers a mixed bag. Controller users face limitations, as they must select from four preset configurations unless they navigate Steam Input for further customisation the bright side, keyboard and mouse players enjoy full rebindable keys, with primary and secondary options for every action. Despite the controller constraints, one player managed to reach High Rank using just one hand, thanks in part to the game’s gyro control options. These adaptable settings ensure that each hunter can carve their path through the wilds.

The introduction of gyro controls proved to be a significant advantage for individuals with limited fine motor skills. Among them was Alex, who discovered that this method wasn’t just beneficial but perhaps the ideal way to play games. The fluidity and precision offered by gyro controls opened up new possibilities, transforming the gaming experience into something more intuitive and accessible.

In addition to gyro controls, there was also a target lock-on feature reminiscent of the mechanics found in Dark Souls. This feature allowed players to focus on their targets with ease, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. When combined with gyro camera controls, it provided an innovative approach that could allow for one-handed play.

Alex marvelled at how this combination of features made gaming more inclusive. With the aid of a USB foot controller, even actions like attacking became manageable without the need for both hands. This setup not only broadened accessibility but also redefined what was possible in the realm of gaming for those who faced physical challenges.

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