How Long Is Monster Hunter Wilds?

It's finally here! Monster Hunter Wilds has arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This latest installment in Capcom's behemoth-battling action series follows in the massive footsteps of its predecessor, Monster Hunter World, and its expansive Iceborne expansion. But just how long will it take to conquer? Let's dive into how long it took members of the IGN team to complete the main story, their priorities, and their post-game adventures.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

I finished Monster Hunter Wilds’ campaign in just under 15 hours. This marks the actual story's conclusion, unlike Monster Hunter Rise, where the first credits roll only signifies the halfway point. However, completing the campaign only finishes Low Rank. High Rank awaits, packed with side quests and tougher challenges—the real journey's just beginning!

Another 15 hours were spent tackling nearly all of those quests and reaching the true endgame. This involved battling every monster, unlocking all crafting systems, and mastering the custom Artian weapon system designed for long-term engagement. Thanks to Wilds’ streamlined grind, I only needed an additional five hours to obtain my desired weapon and armor sets. Of course, countless other options and challenges remain for dedicated hunters.

I conquered the final High Rank story mission in approximately 40 hours, roughly 22 hours after completing Low Rank. Accuracy is tricky, as I spent considerable time in menus for guide creation. During Low Rank, I focused on progression, crafting what I could and avoiding repetitive hunts. The High Rank approach was similar, but I branched out, tackling optional monsters and collaborating with friends (essential for unlocking story missions).

My playthrough prioritized the main story. I only upgraded my weapon once by hunting an extra Ajarakan. A more methodical approach would likely have resulted in a 60-hour playtime, allowing for optimized gear creation.

I still have endemic life to collect, six side missions, and at least one more optional quest to unlock. Beyond that, I plan on talisman farming, armor crafting, experimenting with Artian weapons, and leisurely replays with friends. Future title updates and event quests only add to the already vast amount of content.

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Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

I completed Monster Hunter Wilds’ main story in just under 16 hours, a surprisingly short runtime compared to my World experience (25 hours without reaching the end). As a relative newcomer to the series, I found many battles surprisingly easy. While I did faint a couple of times against apex predators, the overall experience felt quite smooth. The streamlined gameplay caters well to newcomers, scaling back elements like elemental weaknesses and extensive tracking.

The consistent story cutscene/monster battle structure, while efficient, might feel less like a traditional Monster Hunter experience to longtime fans. This streamlined approach allowed for a swift story conclusion, but it may leave some core elements for the post-game.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

It took me around 20 hours to see the initial credits. This included optional and side quests, but a significant portion was dedicated to exploring the world—discovering hidden paths, hunting endemic life, customizing menus, and finding optimal camp locations.

Completing all High-Rank missions and side quests took another 15 hours. My post-game playtime currently sits near 70 hours, focused on casual hunts with friends, decoration farming, and crown hunting (finding the largest and smallest versions of each monster). I’m eager for future title updates to expand the monster roster.

I reached the first credits after approximately 20 hours, primarily focusing on the main story with minor detours for armor crafting. I also experimented with various weapons (Switch Axe is highly recommended!), extending my playtime. At 65 hours, I consider the initial credits a turning point rather than the true ending, as there’s a wealth of content remaining—more hunts, monsters, and crafting opportunities. The story feels like an extended tutorial, which I appreciate, as the core gameplay loop remains engaging. (Except for Congalala—I'd prefer to forget that encounter.)