For newcomers to Monster Hunter, the sudden success of Wilds may appear to be it got here out of nowhere. However Capcom has been fine-tuning its massively profitable Monster Hunter collection for international domination for years and the result’s what appears to be one of many best-selling video games within the collection.
With over one million concurrent gamers on Steam, everyone seems to be taking part in Monster Hunter Wilds. However in case you’re feeling like an outsider trying in, not sure how or the place to start out, I’ve the key to maximizing your Monster Hunter enjoyment with this one easy trick – discovering the weapon that most closely fits the way you wish to play.
In Monster Hunter Wilds, gamers can instantly select from an virtually overwhelming arsenal of weapons, every with their very own distinctive playstyle, whether or not that’s heavy, brutish weapons just like the Nice Sword, one thing extra nimble just like the Twin Blades, or ranged weapons just like the Bowgun.
There’s a temptation – I feel partly as a result of it’s Monster Hunter’s most iconic weapon – to start out out utilizing the large swords and change axes first, however these cumbersome weapons have for use in a really particular means, prioritizing intentional swings as an alternative of brute drive. As such, they’re not the best factor to become familiar with at first. As an alternative, I’d go for one thing just a little extra nimble just like the Twin Blades, which unlocks a world of fast assaults and dodges. The distinction is transformative: when maining a giant sword, Monster Hunter echoes the thought of fight and cautious strategy of Dark Souls; utilizing Twin Blades, it’s harking back to Devil May Cry’s action-focussed fight.
Certainly, in comparison with earlier Monster Hunters, Wilds adjustments up the fight to make it a bit extra in-line with trendy motion video games. When you nonetheless must sheathe your weapon if you wish to heal, fight feels extra intuitive to anybody who’s performed an motion RPG from the final 5 years. That mentioned, the primary distinction – and why choosing a weapon that most closely fits the way in which you play – is in contrast to different motion RPGs, which let gamers customise the way in which they wish to play by way of ability timber, in Monster Hunter it’s all all the way down to weapon alternative.
The choice you make initially defines the expertise you’ll have, then. In case your desire is one thing tremendous quick and combo heavy, that makes you are feeling like Dante’s been transported to the Monster Hunter collection, go for the Twin Blades, which depends on quick assaults, fast dodges, and build up a meter that, when full, can unleash a speedy combo on downed enemies.
On the flip aspect, in case you want one thing that may deal heavy harm whereas holding your defences up and preserve mobility, the sword and protect is a superb starter weapon. The lance – one of many least well-liked weapons within the sport as a result of it favors protection over flashy assaults – combines each a giant weapon and protect. Its parries and counter-attacks aren’t for everybody, however follow and also you get a really distinctive fight expertise.
There are additionally ranged weapons just like the Bowguns, that are equally if no more highly effective than melee weapons. If you happen to’re going to select one in all these, keep in mind to pack sufficient ammo and ensure you’re bringing the very best ones for the actual monster you’re preventing.
There are 14 weapons to select from, every with distinctive skills and traits, however they’re successfully divided into three major varieties – heavy, which deal large harm in change for velocity, mild weapons that deal speedy assaults, and technical weapons. However there are additionally those who sit between these archetypes – the Gunlance has vary capabilities, the Cost Blade can change into a giant axe or smaller blade with a button press, and the Insect Glaive and Searching Horn can be utilized to realize distinctive buffs with the proper combos.
There’s a ton of alternative however don’t get overwhelmed. Check out each weapon within the sport’s tutorial earlier than you totally commit, as a result of you’ll positively discover the proper match for you, whether or not that’s kicking up a frenzy like Dante or prioritizing technique like Dark Souls.
Matt Kim is IGN’s Senior Options Editor.