As of Friday, the gaming community is buzzing with excitement, as over 1.3 million players are currently engaged in Monster Hunter Wilds on Steam. However, a closer look reveals that only about 13,000 users—roughly 1%—have taken the time to leave reviews, and the feedback has been largely negative. The game currently holds a “mixed” rating, with many players expressing their dissatisfaction primarily due to performance issues.
Having spent the last two weeks immersed in a pre-launch build of Monster Hunter Wilds, I can empathize with the frustrations voiced by others. While the thrill of the hunt has kept me entertained, I have had to overlook some glaring technical shortcomings, including low-resolution textures and frequent frame rate drops. Despite Capcom’s ambitious promises of dynamic weather systems and an evolving world, I found myself waiting for a moment that would truly captivate me—a moment that would justify the game’s performance hiccups. Unfortunately, that moment never arrived, leaving me pondering the reasons behind the game’s technical struggles.
Comparative Expectations
Reflecting on my experience with Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, I recall playing it on a Wii U at a laughably low resolution, yet I was utterly enchanted. The game’s world was rich with discovery, utilizing physics and environmental dynamics in ways that encouraged exploration and creativity. It exceeded my expectations and the limitations of its hardware, creating an experience that was unforgettable.
If Monster Hunter Wilds had managed to achieve a similar level of innovation, I would have easily forgiven its graphical shortcomings. However, the game does not seem to be making that leap. Instead, it feels as though we are revisiting familiar frustrations that have plagued previous titles.
Monster Hunter: World faced criticism for its PC version’s inability to maintain 60 fps, even on high-end systems, despite being released six months after its console counterpart. Capcom worked diligently on patches, but the visual fidelity of Wilds in 2025 appears to fall short of what one would expect from a major studio title. While graphical quality is important, it is the underlying mechanics and gameplay that ultimately define a game’s success.
Last year, Capcom released Dragon’s Dogma 2, which also suffered from performance issues, garnering a “Mostly Negative” score from users. The primary complaints revolved around microtransactions and performance, echoing the sentiments currently directed at Monster Hunter Wilds. Capcom attributed the performance issues to high CPU usage related to character interactions, requiring several patches to address the concerns.
It is disheartening to see these recurring issues overshadow the core gameplay, which should be the focal point of discussion. Players should be reveling in the thrill of combat and exploration, rather than being distracted by frame rate concerns and monetization strategies. Yet, here we are again, facing similar critiques for a game that appears less ambitious than its predecessor.
While Monster Hunter Wilds introduces new elements such as a seamless open world and seasonal changes, these features do not fundamentally alter the core gameplay loop of battling large monsters. The game does offer enjoyable moments, and its environments can be visually striking, particularly during abundant seasons. However, the experience is often marred by technical flaws that detract from its overall appeal.
As I continue to explore Monster Hunter Wilds, I remain hopeful that I will uncover more impressive aspects of the game. There are indeed moments of beauty, especially in its lush environments and captivating cutscenes. Yet, it struggles to match the ambition and charm found in Dragon’s Dogma 2, which managed to elevate its performance issues through unique design choices and engaging gameplay.
Ultimately, Monster Hunter Wilds is the sequel to Capcom’s best-selling game of all time, and the expectations are understandably high. While players are accustomed to facing increasingly challenging foes, they also anticipate a seamless and polished experience. Watching another Capcom title grapple with similar issues is undeniably frustrating, especially given the potential for innovation that lies within the franchise.
