The Monster Hunter Wilds beta has opened its doors across all platforms, inviting players to embark on a new adventure. However, for some PC gamers, the experience has been marred by performance issues that could rival the game’s formidable creatures. This situation, while concerning, aligns with the daunting system requirements previously outlined by Capcom, although the unexpected texture-breaking models were not anticipated by many.
Performance Insights and Troubleshooting
Fortunately, the issues appear to stem from bugs rather than fundamental performance problems. Capcom has reassured players that the full version of the game is already in a more stable condition and has provided a range of troubleshooting options for those encountering difficulties. The official Monster Hunter Twitter account has shared a comprehensive list of workarounds and known issues specifically for Steam users.
- Adding the game to anti-virus exceptions.
- Granting both the game and Steam administrative privileges.
- Updating graphics drivers, operating systems, or DirectX.
- Verifying the game’s Steam cache.
In addition to these general solutions, Capcom has highlighted a few specific recommendations. For players experiencing stability issues, deleting shader cache files may prove beneficial. However, if crashes occur due to insufficient VRAM during shader warming, players are advised to reach out to Intel Corporation or their PC vendor for assistance. Another helpful tip includes enabling ‘GPU scheduling’ if the Frame Generation option is grayed out.
As for frame generation, players utilizing NVIDIA DLSS should be cautious when frequently changing the Upscaling Mode, as this can lead to increased VRAM usage, resulting in framerate drops or crashes on certain systems. A simple restart of the game may remedy these issues—a classic yet effective PC gaming fix. Capcom also addressed concerns from players unable to start the beta, suggesting a clean reinstallation of the graphics card driver if updating does not resolve the problem.
Reports of performance issues have been widespread, with players noting everything from graphical glitches to framerate struggles. Anecdotal evidence from various forums indicates that many users are unable to consistently achieve or maintain 60 FPS at 1080p or 1440p, particularly if their hardware is somewhat outdated. The game appears to rely heavily on frame generation and upscaling, a trend becoming increasingly common in demanding PC releases. Notably, most reports of stable 60+ FPS have come from users equipped with RTX 3080 or 4070 GPUs or their equivalents.
CPU performance may also play a critical role, reminiscent of the challenges faced in Monster Hunter World. The frequent weather effects in Monster Hunter Wilds seem to place additional strain on system resources. Personally, I have experienced around 40 to 50 FPS on medium-low settings at 1440p with DLSS set to performance, a reflection of my aging setup featuring a 2080 Super, Intel i7 9700k, and 16GB of RAM. With the gaming landscape evolving rapidly, I find myself contemplating this year’s Black Friday deals for a new PC build as titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Space Marine 2 have already pushed my current rig to its limits.
It’s essential to remember that beta builds are often works in progress, and with four months remaining until the official launch, there is ample time for Capcom to optimize the game. Historical context suggests that Monster Hunter World faced similar performance challenges at launch but improved significantly after subsequent patches. In contrast, Monster Hunter Rise delivered a smoother experience on PC from the outset, having originated as a less demanding Nintendo Switch title.
As we look ahead, it is reasonable to expect Capcom to conduct a second beta test in December or January, which should provide further clarity on the game’s performance. In the meantime, players are encouraged to follow the troubleshooting advice, participate in the beta feedback survey, and experiment with graphics settings to find a balance that enhances their gameplay experience. After investing over 500 hours in Monster Hunter World, the Monster Hunter Wilds beta feels like slipping into a new pair of shoes—exciting and stylish, yet still a bit uncomfortable.