Capcom’s recent open beta for Monster Hunter Wilds has generated considerable excitement among fans of the franchise. With an opportunity to explore the latest iteration of this beloved series on the Xbox Series X|S, players are presented with a blend of new adventures and traditional gameplay mechanics. This article delves into our experiences during the beta, highlighting both its strengths and areas requiring improvement.
Create a Hunter
The initial step in Monster Hunter Wilds involves creating your Hunter and selecting a Palico companion. The new character creation tools permit a greater degree of customization, enabling players to mold their characters according to personal preferences. Notably, Capcom has confirmed that Hunters designed in the beta can be transferred to the full game upon its release next year. Players can engage their creativity, as the customization options allow for a wide variety of unique character designs.
Setting the Scene
After completing character creation, players are immediately immersed in a captivating narrative. The adventure commences with the journey aboard a ship traversing vast sand dunes, leading to dynamic sequences such as mounting a winged creature named a Seikret to rescue a character from a lurking monster. This thrilling introduction seamlessly transitions into the open beta’s story trial, which centers on tracking an amphibious creature known as the Chatacabra within the depths of a mysterious cavern.
Exploring the Wilds
Upon venturing into the open world, players are greeted by a vibrant landscape reminiscent of safari adventures or cinematic depictions of prehistoric life. The expansive map, identified as ‘Windward Plains’, showcases an intricate ecosystem with various monsters inhabiting the terrain. This environment feels more interconnected than previous iterations and effectively conceals its more linear elements.
Windward Plains is adorned with diverse geographical features, including water holes, rocky caves, and extensive sand dunes, all set against a backdrop of dynamic weather and day-night cycles. The adventuring experience is enhanced through fast travel to camps, the establishment of waypoints, and auto-navigation modes. This rich environment significantly contributes to the player’s exploration enjoyment.
The Hunt
The core mechanics of hunting remain consistent with prior titles. Players select their class and secondary weapon before embarking on quests to track, trap, and ultimately defeat or capture monsters. As seen in Monster Hunter: World, players can utilize an SOS Flare to summon assistance from both AI allies and real-world players. The beta supported cross-play functionality, enabling users to team up with others to achieve shared objectives.
Among the available hunts during the beta was the significant ‘Doshaguma Hunt’, which challenges players against a formidable bear-like creature. Additionally, players encountered the apex predator of Windward Plains, the thunder-Wyvern ‘Rey Dau’, which introduces various elements of inter-monster conflict.
Performance on Xbox
Despite being an open beta utilizing a developmental build, performance issues emerged as a significant concern on the Xbox Series X|S. Feedback from numerous platforms indicated the presence of various bugs, contributing to a less-than-ideal experience.
Specifically for the Xbox Series X, the gameplay experience was variable. While the ‘enhanced’ settings provided visually appealing graphics, gameplay smoothness was inconsistent. Players reported visual glitches, especially at base camp, leading to distortion and flashing images. This also resulted in a slower performance during cooperative play sessions.
The ‘performance’ mode functioned adequately but often resulted in diminished image quality. Reports from other players indicated issues such as crashes and disconnections during gameplay, further underscoring the necessity for Capcom to address these concerns prior to the official release.
As the final retail edition approaches, it is hoped that Capcom will provide a more stable experience, particularly enhancing the balance between visual fidelity and performance stability for the hunt.
Final Thoughts
Engaging in the Monster Hunter Wilds beta was an enjoyable experience, offering substantial potential for the upcoming title set to release in February 2025. This latest chapter appears to enhance player freedom while remaining true to the franchise’s core elements. However, it is incumbent upon Capcom to rectify performance issues to ensure a seamless gaming experience upon launch. Looking ahead, fans eagerly anticipate the full game and the adventures that await within the vast wilderness of Monster Hunter Wilds.
