The grand release of the next installment in Capcom’s best-selling title is just around the corner, so it’s time for us to share what we know about all the essential details regarding Monster Hunter Wilds.
Monster Hunter Wilds is another entry in an extraordinarily successful series of Capcom’s action RPGs. It’s also the most beginner-friendly, so many new players look forward to that grand release, letting them discover what’s all this hype about. But how can one know if the game is really worth such excitement? And what can players expect? Fear not – this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know before the countdown ends!
Monster Hunter Wilds Release Date, Platforms, and Everything You Need to Know
When Can You Play? MHW Release Date
Announced at the 2023 Game Awards, MHW launches on February 28, 2025. While the developers have not included early access in either edition, players can participate in a second open beta test occurring on two dates: February 6th at 7:00 pm – February 9th at 6:59 pm and February 13th at 7:00 pm – February 16th at 6:59 pm.
Where Will You Play? Platforms for MHW
Unlike Monster Hunter Rise, which launched exclusively on Nintendo Switch before making its way to PC and other consoles, MHW releases on all platforms simultaneously. That means PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 users can enjoy Capcom’s new game since February 28, 2025.
What’s New in the Wilds? Gameplay Features and Mechanics
- Focus Mode
The greatest new feature is Focus Mode, which allows for better accuracy in combat. Players can now use a helpful highlight system to target their opponents’ weak points and eliminate them faster. But there is a catch – there are more monsters, and the new game grants them more health!
- The Seikret
Another revolutionary change is the player’s new mount, the Seikret. In addition to carrying the player around the game world, Seikrets allow you to change or access secondary weapons while riding. They are also great at using their sense of smell to guide hunters straight to their targets. On top of that, they make sharpening weapons, gathering materials, and recovering health perfectly possible from their backs. Now, you can engage in all these activities while exploring the game world, which is a great time saver.
- Dynamic Weather
The changing weather may not be as revolutionary an improvement as the mentioned enhancements, but it definitely adds to the immersion. When playing MHW, players won’t be able to predict what kind of weather is coming next. Will it be a brutal thunderstorm? Or maybe sunshine and azure blue sky? And if that still isn’t enough, the monsters’ behavior changes depending on the weather conditions, so you better prepare yourself for a truly realistic experience!
- No Gender-Locked Armor
Yes, Capcom is finally ditching the idea of gender-locked armor to make it available to characters of all genders. While they still retain a unique design for each sex, everyone can wear them regardless of the original description.
- SOS Flares
Love playing solo, but taking down some of the more powerful monsters is a bit too much of a challenge? SOS Flares come to the rescue! (literally) With this new change, you can freely play offline and use the SOS Flare that usually calls other players for help. Instead, it now summons an NPC Hunter to aid you in combat. These NPCs truly take their time to arrive and prepare for battle, which only adds to the immersion of the entire encounter!
Hunt Together: Multiplayer and Crossplay Details
Like its predecessors, MHW features solo and multiplayer gameplay. Additionally, players can play with friends using other gaming systems, as the game supports crossplay between PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
Pre-Orders, Editions, and Bonuses: Gear Up for Launch
MHW arrives in four unique editions – one physical (Steelbook), one physical and digital (Standard), and two digital-only (Deluxe and Premium Deluxe). Each offers a pre-order bonus if purchased before the release (although PS5 players can count on one more pre-order extra for the digital version in the form of the MHW Mini Art Book). Let’s see the contents of each!
Standard Edition:
- MHW Base Game
- Guild Knight Set Layered Armor (only as a pre-order bonus)
- Hope Charm Talisman (only as a pre-order bonus)
Steelbook Edition
- MHW Base Game
- Guild Knight Set Layered Armor (only as a pre-order bonus)
- Hope Charm Talisman (only as a pre-order bonus)
- Physical Steelbook Case
Deluxe Edition
- MHW Base Game
- Guild Knight Set Layered Armor (only as a pre-order bonus)
- Hope Charm Talisman (only as a pre-order bonus)
- Monsters of the Windward Plains Sticker Set
- Avis Unit Sticker Set
- Russet Dawn Nameplate
- General’s Caparison Seikret Decoration
- Soldier’s Caparison Seikret Decoration
- Oni Horns Wig for Hunters
- Fencer’s Eyepatch for Hunters
- Feudal Soldier Layered Armor Set for Hunters
- Felyne Ashigaru Layered Armor Set
- Refined Warrior Hairstyle
- Hero’s Topknot Hairstyle
- Uchiko Gesture
- Battlecry Gesture
- Special Bloom Face Paint
- Hunter’s Kumadori Face Paint
- Avian Wind Chime Pendant
Premium Deluxe Edition
- MHW Base Game
- Guild Knight Set Layered Armor (only as a pre-order bonus)
- Hope Charm Talisman (only as a pre-order bonus)
- Monsters of the Windward Plains Sticker Set
- Avis Unit Sticker Set
- Russet Dawn Nameplate
- General’s Caparison Seikret Decoration
- Soldier’s Caparison Seikret Decoration
- Oni Horns Wig for Hunters
- Fencer’s Eyepatch for Hunters
- Feudal Soldier Layered Armor Set for Hunters
- Felyne Ashigaru Layered Armor Set
- Refined Warrior Hairstyle
- Hero’s Topknot Hairstyle
- Uchiko Gesture
- Battlecry Gesture
- Special Bloom Face Paint
- Hunter’s Kumadori Face Paint
- Avian Wind Chime Pendant
- 2025 Re-Recording of Proof of a Hero
- Wyverian Ears Layered Armor for Hunters
- Premium Bonus Hunter Profile Set
Final Thoughts on MHW
As you can see, Capcom has prepared quite a bit of fun for us in its already-proven Monster Hunter universe. On top of several innovative changes, a second open beta test, and the same release date for all systems, we can also expect crossplay, four unique game editions, and exciting pre-order bonuses. Don’t forget it’s the most beginner-friendly game in the series, so there will be no better time to start an adventure with intense monster hunting. Hurry up and choose your favorite edition before the grand release to snag all those delicious bonuses – the launch is not that far away!