Capcom’s recent announcement regarding the PC system requirements for Monster Hunter Wilds has stirred a mix of anticipation and skepticism among gamers. With the game set to launch on February 28th, the new specifications are notably less demanding than initially expected. The reduction in required SSD space from 140GB to 75GB is particularly striking, suggesting a more accessible experience for players with varying hardware capabilities.
Benchmark Tool Insights
Accompanying the revised requirements is a standalone benchmark tool available on the game’s Steam page. This tool allows players to gauge how well their systems can handle the game, featuring a six-minute showcase of cinematics and simulated gameplay. While the intention behind this tool is commendable, it has revealed some concerning performance metrics. For those with lower-end PCs, the benchmark indicates that Monster Hunter Wilds may struggle to deliver a smooth gaming experience.
Despite the promising adjustments to the minimum specs—such as the shift from the GTX 1660 Super to the standard GTX 1660 and the Intel Core i5-10400 replacing the i5-10600—players may find themselves limited to 1080p resolution with upscaling and frame generation. While these technologies, including Nvidia’s DLSS 3 and AMD’s FSR 3.1, aim to enhance performance, they may not provide the expected relief for users with older hardware.
The benchmark results paint a rather bleak picture for those relying on the minimum specifications. Testing with a GTX 1060, even with a powerful Core i9-13900K, yielded an average of just 26fps at 1080p on the lowest settings, with significant drops during open-world exploration. Although frame generation increased the average to 45fps, the experience felt sluggish, as input responsiveness lagged behind the visual output.
Performance Across Different GPUs
Interestingly, the GTX 1660’s performance is only marginally better than the GTX 1060, suggesting that adhering to the minimum specs may lead to similarly disappointing results. The Steam Deck also faces challenges, averaging 27fps under the same testing conditions, indicating that frame generation may not offer the necessary boost.
On a brighter note, Monster Hunter Wilds appears to scale effectively with newer graphics cards. The RTX 4060, for instance, achieved a commendable 62fps at 1080p with high graphics settings and ray tracing enabled. When frame generation was applied, this figure soared to 98fps, showcasing the potential for a smoother experience on more capable hardware. Conversely, the high-end RTX 5080 delivered impressive performance at 4K, reaching 72fps with maximum settings and hitting 110fps with frame generation.
As the launch date approaches, further testing will be essential to determine the true requirements for achieving stable frame rates at 1080p without relying heavily on frame generation. The current landscape raises questions about the increasing reliance on upscalers and frame generation to compensate for demanding technical specifications, a trend that could detract from the overall gaming experience.