The latest addition to Capcom's iconic Monster Hunter series has shattered records, achieving an unprecedented milestone just 30 minutes post-launch on Steam. With concurrent player numbers soaring past 675,000 and quickly reaching the 1 million mark, Monster Hunter Wilds has not only set a new benchmark for the franchise but also eclipsed all previous records among Capcom's extensive game catalog. To put this into perspective, the former record was held by Monster Hunter: World (2018) with 334,000 players, followed by Monster Hunter Rise (2022) with 230,000. However, despite these staggering figures, the game has encountered a wave of negative feedback on Steam, primarily due to technical hiccups like bugs and frequent crashes.
Monster Hunter Wilds presents a standalone narrative, making it an excellent starting point for those new to the series. Set in a world teeming with perilous beasts, the game follows the protagonist as they delve into the enigmas of the Forbidden Lands. Players will come across the legendary "White Ghost"—a mythical creature—and interact with mysterious Guardians, enhancing the storyline with layers of intrigue and depth.
While the game garnered mostly positive pre-release reviews, some critics have pointed out that Capcom has streamlined the gameplay mechanics to appeal to a wider audience. Yet, numerous players and reviewers laud these modifications, asserting that they have successfully made the game more approachable while maintaining its depth and quality.
Monster Hunter Wilds is now accessible on contemporary consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series, as well as on PC.