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, diving into Wilds might feel overwhelming due to the series' complexity. To ease into the experience, we highly recommend starting with 2018’s Monster Hunter: World before tackling the vast and dangerous world of Monster Hunter Wilds.

We suggest Monster Hunter: World not because it has a narrative connection to Wilds, but because it shares a similar style and structure. Playing World will help you understand the intricate systems and gameplay loop that define the Monster Hunter series, preparing you for what Wilds has in store.

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 to play Monster Hunter Rise instead of going back to World. While Rise is an excellent game and the most recent in the series, Wilds appears to be a direct successor to World, not Rise.

Rise introduced innovative features like rideable mounts and the Wirebug grapple mechanic, but these came at the cost of the larger, seamless zones that World offered. Originally designed for the Nintendo Switch, Rise focused on speed and smaller zones, which quickened the hunt-upgrade-hunt cycle but sacrificed the expansive feel and detailed ecosystem of World. Wilds seems to be reclaiming and expanding upon these elements from World.

Monster Hunter: World features expansive zones and emphasizes tracking monsters within a detailed ecosystem. This makes it the ideal precursor to Wilds, which is expected to deliver even larger open areas. By playing World, you'll get a taste of the thrilling, long hunts that span varied terrains, a hallmark of modern Monster Hunter games.

While Wilds' story isn't a direct continuation of World's, the approach to storytelling and campaign structure in World will set your expectations for Wilds. You'll encounter familiar elements like the Hunter's Guild and Palicos, though these are not directly connected to previous or future entries. Think of it like the Final Fantasy series, where each game features recurring elements but tells a unique story.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Beyond understanding the Monster Hunter universe, the most compelling reason to play World first is to master the series' challenging combat. Monster Hunter Wilds will feature 14 weapons, all of which are available in World. By playing World, you can familiarize yourself with each weapon's unique techniques and strategies, helping you decide which one suits your playstyle best.

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

In Monster Hunter, your weapon defines your role on the battlefield. Unlike traditional RPGs where you level up through experience, your abilities and stats in Monster Hunter come from your weapon. World will teach you how to upgrade your weapons using parts from slain monsters and how to progress through the weapon tree.

Moreover, World emphasizes the importance of positioning and attack angles over raw damage output. Knowing where to strike a monster for maximum impact is crucial. For example, the Longsword is ideal for severing tails, while the Hammer is perfect for stunning enemies by hitting their heads. Understanding these nuances can greatly influence the outcome of your hunts.

The Slinger, a tool on your hunter's left arm, is another essential element of World that returns in Wilds. Learning to use it effectively, whether with Flash Pods to blind enemies or poison knives for additional damage, can significantly enhance your combat skills. Crafting Slinger ammo from environmental resources is also key, and familiarity with World's crafting systems will benefit you in Wilds.

As you progress in World, you'll learn the broader gameplay loop of tracking monsters, gathering resources like ore and honey for crafting, and preparing for hunts. This rhythm becomes second nature and will give you a significant advantage when you transition to Wilds.

Remember, a hunt in Monster Hunter is about more than just a quick kill. Each expedition is designed to be a prolonged engagement, especially the first time around. Understanding the different facets of the monsters you encounter, like the fire-breathing Anjanath or the bomb-dropping Bazelgeuse, builds foundational knowledge that will serve you well in Wilds.

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 an extra set if you have data from the Iceborne expansion. Dressing up your Palico adds a fun touch to your adventures.

While it's not necessary to play a prior Monster Hunter game before starting a new one, the series is unique enough that the best way to prepare for Wilds is by playing World. Even though Capcom has been working to flatten the learning curve with each new release, the distinct systems of Monster Hunter are best learned by playing. While many will enjoy jumping straight into Wilds, there's no better time to dive into Monster Hunter: World and get accustomed to the series' language and community before Wilds launches on February 28, 2025.