Capcom’s recent announcement regarding the PC system requirements for Monster Hunter Wilds has generated a mix of anticipation and skepticism among gamers. With a launch date set for February 28th, the company has revealed a more modest set of requirements, aiming to broaden accessibility for players. Additionally, a standalone benchmark tool is now available for download on the game’s Steam page, allowing users to assess how the game will perform on their systems.
Benchmark Insights and Performance Concerns
On the surface, these developments appear promising. Lower system requirements could mean that a larger audience can enjoy the game, while the benchmark tool offers a glimpse into the performance players can expect. The tool features approximately six minutes of cinematic and simulated gameplay, providing a valuable resource during this often hype-driven pre-release phase. However, there are notable concerns that accompany these changes.
Firstly, the benchmark results indicate that Monster Hunter Wilds may struggle on lower-end PCs, running sluggishly even with the revised minimum specifications. The requirements have seen a significant reduction in storage needs, dropping from 140GB to 75GB, which is certainly a welcome change. Furthermore, the minimum specifications for CPUs and graphics cards have been adjusted downward; for instance, the Nvidia GPU requirement has shifted from the GTX 1660 Super to the standard GTX 1660, and players can now utilize an Intel Core i5-10400 instead of the previously required i5-10600. While these adjustments seem beneficial, they come with caveats.
The revised minimum specs only guarantee 1080p performance when utilizing upscaling and frame generation technologies, specifically Nvidia’s DLSS 3 and AMD’s FSR 3.1. This raises questions about the practical application of frame generation, which is ideally meant to enhance the performance of games that already run smoothly. Relying on frame generation to elevate performance on less capable hardware may lead to a frustrating experience, as the perceived frame rate could feel significantly lower than the actual output.
Testing the benchmark tool with a GTX 1060, paired with a powerful Core i9-13900K, yielded disappointing results. At 1080p with the lowest settings and FSR upscaling in Ultra Performance mode, the average frame rate was just 26fps, with dips to 17-20fps during open-world segments. Although frame generation increased the average to 45fps, the input lag rendered the experience less enjoyable, akin to playing at 20fps or lower. Given that the GTX 1660 offers marginally better performance than the GTX 1060, players adhering to the minimum specifications may still encounter frustrating frame rate drops.
Furthermore, the benchmark results for the Steam Deck were similarly underwhelming, averaging 27fps under the same settings, indicating that frame generation would not provide a meaningful solution for this platform either.
On a brighter note, Monster Hunter Wilds appears to scale effectively with newer graphics cards. The RTX 4060, which is among the more affordable options supporting DLSS 3, achieved a commendable 62fps at 1080p with high graphics settings and ray tracing effects. When frame generation was applied, the performance soared to 98fps. At the high end, the RTX 5080 delivered 72fps at 4K with maximum settings, reaching 110fps with frame generation—though it seems that DLSS 4’s Multi Frame Generation is not supported.
As the launch date approaches, further testing of the full game will be essential to determine the actual requirements for achieving stable frame rates at 30fps or 60fps without relying on frame generation. The current trend of using upscalers like DLSS as a workaround for demanding technical specifications raises concerns about the future of gaming performance standards. The hope is that frame generation will not follow a similar path, as players seek a more authentic gaming experience.
