Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds Update: A Step Towards Enhanced Performance
Capcom has unveiled its much-anticipated performance update for Monster Hunter Wilds, and early feedback suggests a positive shift in gameplay experience. As the game approaches its one-year anniversary, players are eager to see how the latest enhancements will impact their adventures, particularly with the potential for a ‘Master Rank’ expansion on the horizon. Despite the excitement, many players have faced challenges with framerate drops and stuttering, which have somewhat overshadowed what is otherwise considered the strongest base game in the franchise’s history. Fortunately, the new Wilds patch appears to be addressing these concerns, offering a glimmer of hope for a smoother gaming experience.
The latest Steam patch notes emphasize a reduction in CPU and GPU load, implementing changes such as decreased shader warming processes and improved texture streaming. After nearly a year of gameplay, skepticism lingered about the effectiveness of these updates. However, upon launching the game, the improvements were immediately apparent. While not a complete resolution to all issues, the enhancements were significant enough to elevate the overall experience.
For context, my gaming setup includes a Ryzen 5 5600x, RTX 3080, and 32GB of RAM. Engaging in a battle with the Chatacabra, a fan-favorite training monster, I observed a stable framerate hovering between 55 and 60 frames per second. This is a marked improvement compared to previous sessions, where framerates often dipped into the 40s and occasionally the 30s. While still smoother than the initial PC launch of Monster Hunter World, the previous inconsistencies had been a source of frustration, making this update a welcome change.
Testing the waters further, I joined a squad of three NPC support hunters for the Omega Planetes battle, and I was pleasantly surprised to see my average framerate soar into the 70s at the outset—figures that felt almost nostalgic. Although the framerate fluctuated later in the battle, settling between 45 and 60, the overall consistency was a refreshing improvement. The erratic spikes and drops that once plagued gameplay were noticeably diminished.
Community feedback on the Wilds Reddit page has been largely optimistic. While peak framerates may not have drastically increased for many players, the ‘1% low’ statistic indicates a more stable and fluid experience. Users with robust setups, like ‘knewknow’ (5800x3D, RTX 50080), expressed satisfaction with the smoother gameplay, noting that they were pleasantly surprised by the performance improvements across various sections. Similarly, ‘kuroi-taiga’ (5600x, RX 6700XT) reported a more stable experience, stating that they no longer felt the need for frame generation.
Handheld players are also reaping the benefits of the update. ‘issuntheponcle,’ a Steam Deck owner, remarked on the significant performance boost, while ‘vaughn22’ noted a successful hunt without the usual stuttering. Users of the Rog Ally X, like ‘shung1209,’ reported achieving around 50 frames per second, a notable improvement from previous updates.
For those looking to further optimize their experience, a new set of graphics settings is now available. This includes a dedicated ‘CPU’ menu that allows players to adjust animation quality, effect intensity, and the display of endemic life, among other features. Additionally, the high-resolution texture pack now consumes less VRAM and occupies a smaller portion of hard drive space, requiring a redownload of approximately 31GB but resulting in an overall size reduction of about 45GB compared to the previous version.
Capcom has also addressed the notorious performance issues associated with the ‘DLC cat,’ which should enhance the experience in the Grand Hub and other settlements. My brief exploration of Oilwell Basin revealed a noticeable increase in average framerate, indicating that the update is making strides in improving performance across various environments.
While there is still room for improvement, and the performance may not yet fully reflect the fun and engaging core gameplay that Monster Hunter Wilds offers, this update marks a significant step in the right direction. As Capcom continues to refine the game, players remain hopeful for an even more polished experience in the future. The update, version 1.040.03.01, is now live on Steam, and players are encouraged to ensure their GPU drivers are up to date to fully benefit from the enhancements.
