Monster Hunter Wilds: Duration Revealed

The highly anticipated Monster Hunter Wilds has finally arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, continuing Capcom's storied tradition of action-packed monster hunting. Following the footsteps of its predecessor, Monster Hunter World, and its expansive Iceborne update, Wilds promises an engaging experience. In this article, we'll explore the time different members of the IGN team took to complete the main story, their focus during gameplay, and their engagement with the postgame content.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

I completed the campaign of Monster Hunter Wilds in just under **15 hours**, marking the end of the story and the conclusion of Low Rank. Unlike Monster Hunter Rise, where the first credits roll at the midpoint of the plot, this is the actual end. However, the journey doesn't stop there; High Rank awaits with numerous side quests and challenges. It took me **another 15 hours** to finish most of these quests and reach what I consider the true endgame. By then, I had battled all available monsters, unlocked all systems and crafting options at launch, and delved into the custom Artian weapon system designed for prolonged engagement. Thanks to Wilds' streamlined progression, I needed just **five more hours** to optimize my preferred weapons and armor set, though there's still much to explore with other weapon types and further enhancements.

Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides

I reached the final "story" mission in High Rank after about **40 hours**, **22 hours after the Low Rank credits**. My timekeeping was somewhat imprecise due to spending time idling in menus for guide purposes. During the Low Rank phase, I didn't delve into the game's deeper systems, focusing instead on crafting what was available and progressing without repeating hunts. In High Rank, I diverged from the main storyline to hunt new optional monsters and enjoy multiplayer hunts, necessary for unlocking more Story Missions.

I upgraded my weapon only once by hunting an extra Ajarakan, otherwise sticking to what I could make and pushing towards the end. If I had more time, my playtime might have neared **60 hours** as I would have crafted a more optimized armor and weapon set. Postgame, I still have endemic life-catching, fishing, and six monster-hunting Side Missions left, plus at least one more optional quest to unlock. My plans include farming specific monsters for Talisman upgrades, crafting new armor, experimenting with Artian weapons, and replaying the story with friends to master a new weapon. With upcoming event quests and title updates, there's much more to look forward to in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

I finished Monster Hunter Wilds' main story in just under **16 hours**, a surprisingly quick runtime compared to my 25-hour experience with Monster Hunter World. As a relative newcomer to the series, I found the battles more manageable, though some apex predators posed a challenge. The game's streamlined approach, with less emphasis on elemental strategies, loadout crafting, and extensive tracking, certainly contributed to the shorter playtime.

The consistent pace of story cutscenes interspersed with monster battles until the credits roll made it feel less like a traditional Monster Hunter game and more influenced by Western cinematic storytelling. While this allowed me to reach the story's conclusion swiftly, I wondered if it sacrificed some of the series' core elements, which I hope are explored more in the postgame.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

It took me about **20 hours** to reach the initial credits in Monster Hunter Wilds, spending most of that time on optional and side quests. I also enjoyed exploring the game's world, from hidden paths to endemic life, and optimizing my in-game settings and camps. Completing all High Rank missions and side quests took an additional **15 hours**, allowing me to encounter all post-credits monsters.

So far, I've logged nearly **70 hours** post-credits, engaging in leisurely hunts with friends, decoration farming, and hunting for monster crowns. The experience has been delightful, and I eagerly anticipate future title updates that will introduce new monsters to the roster.

Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides

I saw the first credits of Monster Hunter Wilds after **20 hours**, mostly focusing on the main storyline but taking time to craft a few appealing armor sets and experiment with different weapons, particularly the Switch Axe. Currently, at **65 hours**, I view the credits as a turning point rather than the end. There's a wealth of content left to explore, from new monsters to craftable items. The story feels like an extended tutorial, setting the stage for deeper monster hunting adventures, minus the occasional less-favorite encounters like Congalala.