Capcom has taken significant strides to enhance the performance of its upcoming title, Monster Hunter Wilds, particularly in response to feedback regarding the beta version’s subpar optimization for PC. In a commendable move, the developer has adjusted the recommended specifications, making the game more accessible to a broader audience.
Optimization Efforts
The adjustments made by Capcom are noteworthy, particularly in three critical areas: CPU, GPU, and storage requirements. The minimum CPU requirement has been revised from an Intel Core i5-10600 or Intel Core i3-12100F to a more lenient Intel Core i5-10400, Intel Core i3-12100, or AMD Ryzen 5 3600. This change reflects a conscious effort to accommodate players with a range of hardware capabilities.
Similarly, the graphics requirements have seen a reduction, with the minimum GPU now set at either a standard Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 or an AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT, both of which offer a more approachable entry point for gamers. The storage requirement has also been slashed from 140 GB to 75 GB, indicating that certain high-resolution assets will be downloaded on-demand, thus optimizing both download times and storage usage.
For those eager to assess their system’s compatibility, Capcom has introduced a benchmarking tool available on the game’s Steam page. This tool allows players to simulate gameplay and cutscenes, providing a performance score based on their hardware configuration. Users can experiment with various settings to see how they impact performance, although they should be prepared for an initial loading phase as the program compiles shaders.
Scores above 20,000 suggest that players can expect a smooth experience at high settings, while scores between 10,000 and 13,000 indicate that the game is playable, albeit with potential adjustments needed. Scores below 7,000 may require significant settings changes, with a score of 5,000 marking a threshold for potential unplayability.
In testing conducted with a high-end setup featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super GPU, the benchmarking tool yielded impressive results. Running at 1440p resolution with Ultra presets, the average frame rate reached 85 FPS, while configurations utilizing DLSS and high Ray Tracing achieved an average of 90 FPS. Notably, these tests did not employ frame generation, showcasing the game’s potential performance capabilities.
Further testing with a mid-range setup, including an AMD Ryzen 5 5600 CPU and an Nvidia RTX 2070 GPU at 1080p resolution with Medium presets, resulted in an average of 45 FPS, with frame rates remaining above 30 FPS throughout gameplay. This performance improvement is a clear indication of Capcom’s commitment to addressing previous concerns and enhancing the overall gaming experience.
As anticipation builds for Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on February 28, 2025, the second round of beta testing is poised to provide further insights into the game’s performance and optimization efforts.
