No, Monster Hunter Wilds Isn’t Easy — Gamers Just Got Better

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As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but notice the ongoing discussions within the Monster Hunter community about the perceived ease of the Wilds. Some enthusiasts even argue that it’s far too simple, which, as a fellow hunter, I find intriguing and invite further dialogue on this topic.

However, the core question isn’t about the ease of Wilds; rather, it’s due to the fact that video game players have significantly improved their skills over time. This improvement can be attributed to the influence of Soulslike and contemporary action games.

As an ardent admirer of the intricate world of Soulslikes, including Elden Ring and Dark Souls, I’ve honed my instincts to respond swiftly in nail-biting boss battles, ready for any challenge that comes my way!

Mastering evasive maneuvers like rolling, dodging, and making use of invincibility frames (i-frames) is crucial in Souls games, and these tactics are also found in Monster Hunter – one of the first franchises to adopt this style. Neither series spoon-feeds players, which means that fans from both communities can reap the rewards of the skills they’ve honed.

In contrast to the Dark Souls series where characters are classified by classes, Monster Hunter stands out by providing a variety of 14 weapon types, each with its unique set of moves. However, this doesn’t deter players from exploring, adjusting, and even showcasing how their weapons complement their armor – it seems to be more about personal style in Monster Hunter.

Friends who’ve never played Monster Hunter before have still shown remarkable skill in the game. What they struggle with are the more traditional elements, such as creating items by forging and locating materials needed for crafting weapons.

As a seasoned Monster Hunter player, I’ve picked up some strategies from other action-adventure games as well, particularly Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice by FromSoftware. This game has been instrumental in honing my skills with the Sword & Shield blocking technique.

During our playthrough of the game’s storyline, I found myself secretly appreciating how titles from FromSoftware honed my friends’ reaction skills, enabling them to foresee powerful enemy attacks. It’s also reassuring that Wilds alerts players when they’re on the verge of being instantly defeated by a Rey Dau or Arkveld; their health bar essentially transforms into a large warning signal.

Not only Soulslike games but also action titles such as Stellar Blade, Black Myth Wukong, and Devil May Cry series from Capcom have significantly enhanced players’ response times. It boils down to reflexes that improve with practice, and many contemporary games incorporate fundamental mechanics in their design which train players on how to handle challenging opponents effectively.

For longtime Monster Hunter players, the enhanced quality-of-life improvements are quite handy, making it clear that game difficulty wasn’t the main challenge from the start. Essentially, Wilds has been tailored to meet contemporary gaming standards.

Instead of fretting over time-consuming chores such as prepping for cooking, drinking hot or cold concoctions, or hunting Spiribugs manually, we now have an easy solution with just a few button clicks. This is why veterans find the main campaign relatively simple. However, this isn’t a drawback—Monster Hunter has never aimed to restrict difficulty; it’s merely the eccentric elitists who might do so. Keep in mind that this is merely the High Rank version of Monster Hunter, with a potential G-Rank expansion due next year.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, both veterans and beginners will find the challenges intensifying, as this game was never an easy ride. The monsters continue to pack a punch, their actions can be erratic, and the reason many players find it less daunting is due to their familiarity with contemporary action game mechanics. They instinctively know how to respond when confronted by a colossal beast, even without a health indicator.

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2025-03-11 18:42