As one of Steam's most eagerly anticipated pre-orders, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to be a colossal hit. For those new to the series, Wilds promises an accessible tutorial, but the intricate and complex nature of the Monster Hunter games means that diving into a previous title could be immensely beneficial. Before you set foot into the expansive and perilous world of Monster Hunter Wilds, we highly recommend exploring 2018's Monster Hunter: World.

Our recommendation for Monster Hunter: World isn't due to a narrative connection or a cliffhanger that would leave you bewildered in Wilds. Instead, it's because World mirrors Wilds in style and structure, serving as an excellent introduction to the series' sometimes complex systems and engaging gameplay loop. Playing World will effectively prepare you for what awaits in Wilds.

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

Why Monster Hunter: World?

If you've followed Capcom's recent releases, you might wonder whether you should play the latest game, Monster Hunter Rise, instead of returning to Monster Hunter: World. While Rise is an excellent game, Wilds appears to be a direct successor to World rather than Rise. Rise introduced innovative features like rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple, which streamlined the gameplay loop but at the cost of the expansive, seamless zones found in World. Originally designed for the Nintendo Switch, Rise's smaller scale and faster-paced hunts sacrificed some of the depth and grandeur that World offered—elements that Wilds aims to revive and expand upon.

World serves as the foundational blueprint for Wilds' expansive open areas, emphasizing detailed ecosystems and the tracking of monsters. This makes World the ideal precursor to prepare you for Wilds. The larger zones in World, which set the stage for epic hunts across diverse terrains, are where the modern Monster Hunter experience truly shines. Wilds is expected to build on this, and World offers a valuable early taste of what's to come.

It's worth noting that Wilds' story isn't a direct continuation of World's narrative. However, World's approach to storytelling and campaign structure will align your expectations with what Wilds will offer. You'll encounter familiar elements such as the Hunter's Guild and Palicos, which will also appear in Wilds, albeit in a new context. Think of these elements like recurring motifs in the Final Fantasy series—each game features its own unique take on classic ideas.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Beyond understanding the universe and campaign structure, the most compelling reason to start with Monster Hunter: World is its challenging combat. Wilds features 14 distinct weapons, each with its own playstyle and strategies—all of which are available in World. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the series' unique combat systems, experiment with different weapons, and find the one that best suits your playstyle. Whether it's the agile dual-blades or the powerful greatsword, mastering these weapons in World will give you a significant advantage in Wilds.

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

In the Monster Hunter series, your weapon is your identity. Unlike traditional RPGs where you level up through experience, your abilities and stats in Monster Hunter are tied to your weapon. Think of it as choosing a class or job in an action RPG—each weapon defines your role on the battlefield. World teaches you how to upgrade weapons using parts from defeated monsters and navigate the weapon tree to access higher-level gear.

Moreover, World emphasizes strategic gameplay over button mashing. Positioning and attack angles are crucial, with different weapons excelling at specific tasks, like slicing off tails or stunning monsters. Understanding these nuances will prepare you for the tactical depth in Wilds. The Slinger, a versatile tool in World, returns in Wilds, and learning its use—whether to blind enemies with Flash Pods or deal chip damage with poison knives—will elevate your gameplay.

The gameplay loop in World involves tracking monsters, gathering materials, and engaging in hunts that take time and patience. Mastering this rhythm will give you a significant edge when entering Wilds. Each expedition is a learning experience, from understanding monster behaviors to preparing the right equipment for different challenges.

If you need another incentive to dive into Monster Hunter: World, consider the bonus content: importing save data from World into Wilds will grant you free Palico armor, and additional armor if you have data from the Iceborne expansion. While not essential, it's a fun perk that enhances your experience.

While it's not mandatory to play a previous Monster Hunter game before starting Wilds, the series' unique mechanics and depth make World an invaluable training ground. As Wilds aims to ease the learning curve, there's no better time to familiarize yourself with Monster Hunter: World and its community before Wilds launches on February 28, 2025.