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

As one of Steam's most eagerly anticipated games, *Monster Hunter Wilds* is poised to be a colossal hit. For those new to the series, navigating the intricate world of Monster Hunter can be overwhelming. Although *Wilds* will likely feature a robust tutorial for beginners, diving into a previous game can provide valuable insights. Before venturing into the expansive and perilous world of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, we highly recommend playing *Monster Hunter: World* from 2018.

Our recommendation isn't due to a narrative connection or a cliffhanger that would leave you confused in *Wilds*. Instead, *Monster Hunter: World* closely mirrors the style and structure of *Wilds*. Playing *World* is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the series' sometimes complex systems and gameplay mechanics, preparing you for the thrilling experience that *Wilds* promises.

Why Monster Hunter: World?

If you're familiar with Capcom's recent releases, you might wonder why not play Monster Hunter Rise, the latest in the series, instead of revisiting Monster Hunter: World. While Rise is an excellent game, Wilds seems to build directly upon World rather than Rise.

Rise introduced innovative mechanics like rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple, enhancing the series' gameplay. However, these features came at the cost of the larger, seamless zones that World offered. Originally designed for the Nintendo Switch, Rise prioritized speed and smaller zones, accelerating the hunt-upgrade-hunt cycle but losing some of World's scale and environmental interaction. Wilds appears to be reclaiming and expanding on these elements from World.

World serves as the blueprint for Wilds' expansive open areas, emphasizing tracking monsters within a detailed ecosystem. This makes World the ideal preparatory game for Wilds. The expansive zones in World set the stage for long, exhilarating hunts across varied terrains, a hallmark of modern Monster Hunter games. Wilds is expected to continue this trend, so why not get a head start with World?

Although Wilds doesn't continue the story from World, it follows a similar approach to storytelling and campaign structure. You'll encounter familiar elements like the Hunter's Guild and Palicos, which will also appear in Wilds. These elements are not directly connected to previous games, much like how each Final Fantasy game features recurring characters and creatures but stands alone in its narrative.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Beyond understanding the Monster Hunter universe and the structure of Wilds' campaign, the strongest argument for playing Monster Hunter: World first is its challenging combat. Wilds features 14 weapons, each with unique playstyles and strategies, all of which are available in World. By playing World, you can familiarize yourself with these weapons, experiment with different techniques, and determine which one aligns best with your playstyle. Whether you prefer the agility of dual blades or the power of the greatsword, each weapon requires mastery, and World is the perfect training ground.

In the Monster Hunter series, your weapon is your lifeline. Unlike traditional RPGs where you level up through experience, your abilities and stats in Monster Hunter are tied directly to your weapon. Think of your weapon as a character class or job—it defines your role in battle and your approach to each hunt. World teaches you how to upgrade your weapons using parts from defeated monsters and how to progress along the weapon tree.

Moreover, World emphasizes the importance of positioning and attack angles over brute force. Understanding where to strike a monster for maximum effect is crucial. For example, the Longsword excels at severing tails, while the hammer is perfect for stunning enemies. Mastering these techniques can significantly impact your success, making it worthwhile to get acquainted with World.

Understanding the rhythm of each hunt is vital, and World introduces tools like the Slinger, which returns in Wilds. The Slinger allows you to use gadgets and ammunition during fights, such as Flash Pods to blind enemies or poison knives for additional damage. Learning when to use these tools effectively can be a game-changer. Familiarity with World's crafting system will also benefit you in Wilds, as you'll need to craft Slinger ammo from environmental resources.

Once you've mastered World's weapons and tools, you'll uncover the series' broader gameplay loop. Your journey begins with tracking monsters, gathering resources like ore and honey along the way, which become second nature over time. This knowledge will give you a significant advantage when you start playing Wilds.

A successful hunt in Monster Hunter is not about rushing in for a quick kill but about understanding the beast's patterns and preparing accordingly. Mastering the dance with creatures like the fire-breathing Anjanath or the bomb-dropping Bazelgeuse builds foundational knowledge that will serve you well in Wilds. Given Wilds' focus on expansive adventures, World is the perfect training ground.

For an additional incentive, if you import save data from World into Wilds, you can receive free Palico armor, and even more if you have data from the Iceborne expansion. While dressing up your Palico might seem minor, it adds a fun element to your journey.

While it's not necessary to play a previous Monster Hunter game before starting Wilds, the series' unique mechanics and systems are best learned through experience. Capcom has been refining the learning curve with each new release, but there's no better way to prepare for Wilds than by playing World. As Wilds launches on February 28, 2025, now is the perfect time to dive into Monster Hunter: World and immerse yourself in the community and gameplay that awaits.