After an impressive launch that saw Monster Hunter Wilds sell over 10 million copies and attract more than a million concurrent players on Steam, the tides have turned for Capcom’s latest installment in the beloved Monster Hunter franchise. Despite receiving critical acclaim, including a commendable 4/5 star review from Windows Central, the game is now facing a backlash from its community. Recent trends indicate that players have resorted to review-bombing, resulting in the game’s rating plummeting to “Overwhelmingly Negative” on its Steam page.
Critics and fans alike have expressed concerns that the game’s challenge has been significantly diminished due to overly simplified mechanics and a story campaign that many deem forgettable. The performance on PC has also been a sore point, with verified reviews highlighting issues such as frame rate drops, persistent stuttering, and various graphical glitches. These technical shortcomings have marred the experience for players who expect the best from a franchise known for its high-quality graphics.
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<span class="caption-creditcaption”>Oh, how the wild have fallen.
<span class="caption-creditcredit” itemprop=”copyrightHolder”>(Image credit: Steam | Capcom)
As a result of these issues, the once-thriving player base has dwindled, with Monster Hunter Wilds now struggling to compete with its predecessor, Monster Hunter: World. The latter, despite being over seven years old and no longer receiving updates, has seen a resurgence as fans return in search of the depth and challenge that Wilds has yet to deliver. Currently, Monster Hunter: World boasts twice the number of concurrent players compared to the newer title.
Will Monster Hunter Wilds be able to win back the fans’ favor?
Traditionally, Monster Hunter games are celebrated for their longevity, with robust post-launch content and engaging endgame mechanics that keep players invested. However, the endgame in Monster Hunter Wilds has proven to be disappointingly brief, as the game’s reduced difficulty has lessened the need for gear grinding and strategic gameplay.
Looking ahead, there is hope that future Title Updates, including the anticipated Lagiacrus Title Update set to launch in June 2025, will address these concerns. Enhancements to the endgame content and improvements to the PC performance could potentially restore faith among fans who feel let down by the current state of the game. Nevertheless, the disruption in the gameplay ecosystem raises concerns about whether some long-time players may permanently abandon the franchise if their expectations remain unmet.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available for purchase on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.