Play Monster Hunter: World Before Wilds: Here's Why

As one of Steam's most pre-ordered games right now, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to be a monumental release. For those new to the franchise, the series can be quite dense and complex, making it beneficial to explore a previous installment before diving into the vast and dangerous world of Monster Hunter Wilds. We highly recommend starting with 2018's Monster Hunter: World.

Our recommendation for Monster Hunter: World isn't based on a narrative connection or a cliffhanger that would leave you confused in Wilds. Instead, it's because World closely mirrors the style and structure of Wilds, making it an excellent introduction to the series' intricate systems and engaging gameplay loop. Playing World will help you get accustomed to the unique mechanics that the Monster Hunter series is known for.

Why Monster Hunter: World?

If you're familiar with Capcom's recent releases, you might wonder whether to play the latest Monster Hunter Rise instead of the older World. While Rise is indeed a fantastic game, Monster Hunter Wilds appears to be a direct successor to World rather than Rise. Rise introduced innovative mechanics like rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple, but these came at the cost of the larger, seamless zones that World offered. Originally designed for the Nintendo Switch, Rise's smaller zones and faster gameplay loop contrast with World's expansive and immersive environments, which Wilds seems intent on recapturing and expanding upon.

World's expansive zones and focus on tracking monsters within a detailed ecosystem make it the ideal precursor to Wilds' even larger open areas. This is why we believe World is the perfect game to prepare you for what's to come. The open zones in World serve as stages for long, thrilling hunts across varied terrain, a hallmark of modern Monster Hunter games. We anticipate Wilds will deliver on this front, but why wait when you can experience it first in World?

It's worth noting that Monster Hunter Wilds' story isn't a direct continuation of World's narrative. However, World's approach to storytelling and campaign structure will set your expectations for Wilds. You'll encounter familiar elements like the Hunter's Guild and your trusty Palicos, which will also be present in Wilds. These elements, though, are independent of previous and future entries, much like the Final Fantasy series, where recurring characters and creatures appear but each game stands on its own.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Beyond understanding the Monster Hunter universe and Wilds' campaign structure, the strongest argument for playing Monster Hunter: World first is its challenging combat. Monster Hunter Wilds features 14 weapons, each with unique playstyles and strategies, all of which are also available in World. This allows you to get a head start on mastering these complex combat systems. Whether you're drawn to the agile dual-blades or the powerful greatsword, World is the perfect training ground to learn the intricacies of each weapon and find the one that best suits your style.

In the Monster Hunter series, your weapon is your identity. Unlike traditional RPGs, your abilities and stats are tied directly to your weapon, functioning similarly to a character class. World will teach you how to upgrade these weapons using parts from defeated monsters and navigate the weapon tree to reach higher-level options.

World also emphasizes the importance of strategy over brute force. Understanding the positioning and angle of your attacks, as well as knowing where to strike a monster for maximum impact, is crucial. For instance, the Longsword excels at severing tails, while the hammer is ideal for stunning enemies. Mastering these nuances in World will set you up for success in Wilds.

Moreover, World introduces the Slinger, a versatile tool that will return in Wilds. Learning to use it effectively—whether to blind enemies with Flash Pods or inflict chip damage with poison knives—can significantly alter the outcome of battles. Familiarity with crafting Slinger ammo and navigating World's crafting menus will be invaluable when you transition to Wilds.

As you become proficient with World's weapons and tools, you'll start to understand the series' broader gameplay loop. This involves tracking monsters, gathering materials, and engaging in hunts that require patience and strategy. Understanding this tempo will be a significant advantage when you enter the world of Wilds.

Each hunt in Monster Hunter is designed to be a thoughtful journey, not a quick kill. From learning how to combat the fire-breathing Anjanath to preparing for the bomb-dropping Bazelgeuse, each encounter builds your understanding of the game's creatures and mechanics. With Wilds aiming to capture the same sense of adventure and scale as World, the 2018 entry is an ideal training ground.

Additionally, if you need another incentive to play Monster Hunter: World before Wilds, you can earn free Palico armor by importing save data from World into Wilds, and even more armor if you have data from the Iceborne expansion. It's a small perk, but customizing your Palico can be a fun aspect of the game.

While it's not necessary to play a previous Monster Hunter game before starting a new one, the series' unique mechanics set it apart from other games. Although Capcom has been working to ease the learning curve with each new release, the best way to prepare for Monster Hunter is by playing Monster Hunter. Whether you jump straight into Wilds or take time to explore World, there's never been a better time to immerse yourself in the Monster Hunter universe ahead of Wilds' launch on February 28, 2025.