"Monster Hunter Wilds": Breathtaking monster hunt
Replenishment for monster hunters: "Monster Hunter Wilds" from Capcom spoils the numerous fans with spectacular action without major innovations.
(Image: Capcom)
Capcom's action series "Monster Hunter" is a phenomenon with numerous fans. Since 2004, the series has remained true to its successful concept: hunt giant monsters, collect loot and improve equipment. It sounds simple, but quickly becomes a fiddly affair, making it difficult for newcomers in particular.
It's business as usual in the world of "Monster Hunter": Players take on the role of a hunter who explores an unknown area with his guild and a flying sailing ship. They soon discover an almost starving boy in a desert landscape who tells them about a giant monster that has devastated his village of "guardians". Together, the hunter and his helpers set off in search of the mysterious village. They mount winged mounts and explore jungles, icy landscapes and lava-filled caves. Along the way, countless monsters and even more loot for weapons and equipment await the hunters.
"Monster Hunter Wilds" angespielt (5 Bilder)
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)The playful task is simple: slay monsters. No matter how big the monsters are or how different their movement patterns are –, the end game objective remains the same. When it comes to monsters, fans can expect old acquaintances as well as new monsters, some of which are reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft's disturbing imagery. There are always supplies: if you want, you can hunt monsters endlessly away from the story to get your hands on valuable loot.
This leads to the typical, unique mix of hack'n'slay and monster hunting. Each hunt resembles a boss fight, which at first glance looks like a chaotic hack and slash. In reality, however, details are crucial. The choice of weapon, skillfully applied status effects and the perfect rhythm during a hit combo are decisive for a successful hunt. It's often a team effort: Like its predecessors, "Monster Hunter Wilds" is a co-op title in which up to four players hunt together. If necessary, computer-controlled helpers can also be called in.
Endless fiddling around
Everything is one size bigger: the absurdly gigantic swords, huge monsters and the never-ending loot. Body parts of monsters or plants can be used as armor and fish caught can be prepared as a fortifying meal. Which buff will tip the scales for this particular monster? Which armor protects in the cold? The screen is quickly packed with information that a newcomer has to swallow.
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Players are thrown in at the deep end. Right from the start, 14 weapon groups are available. From the powerful but slow greatsword to a kind of machine gun that shoots fire or cold ammunition, the game offers an enormous range of different play styles. We can switch between slow and fast attacks with a morph axe or attack the enemy dragons and monster spiders with gleve and jump attacks. This is varied and challenging, but also chaotic, especially at the beginning.
Graphic monsters
However, true fans will only see the story as an introduction to the new game world anyway. The new focus mode in particular enables new fighting techniques. This allows players to target certain parts of the monsters' bodies and wound them with constant hits. The standard ammunition is infinite and new strike animations ensure smooth gameplay. There is also a dynamic weather system that can have a decisive influence on the battles.
In general, the new "Monster Hunter" is a real eye-catcher. Whether in a barren desert landscape or in the jungle, the game is full of detailed depictions of the surroundings. The enemy monsters move across the battlefield just as smoothly animated as the hunters with their numerous combat animations. Capcom tickles a real graphics monster out of the "old" PS5.
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Interim conclusion
"Monster Hunter Wilds" spoils fans with mature gameplay and breathtaking monster battles. The sensible new features will appeal to veteran monster hunters in particular, while newcomers will be somewhat baffled by the numerous punch combinations, status effect buffs and tinkering with the optimal set-up, at least at first.
But it's worth sticking with it. "Wilds" is monstrously large, offers magnificent graphics and an enormous variety of play styles. It doesn't matter that the game tasks offer little variety and focus entirely on hunting monsters. Anyone who has already devoured the predecessors can lose themselves in "Monster Hunter Wilds" for weeks.
"Monster Hunter Wilds" will be released on February 28 for Windows, PS5 and Xbox Series. USK from 12 and costs approx. 80 €. We played the PS5 version for a few hours for our hands-on.
(mack)
