Updated with Title Update 4

In short, if your PC meets the specs, you will have a amazing time. If it doesn’t, pick up Monster Hunter: World or even Rise/Sunbreak.

Performance

Performance optimization has improved, with more still in the pipeline. I’m currently running CachyOS (Linux) and can easily maintain a consistent 60 FPS without frame generation. With 32 GB of DDR4 3600 RAM, the game only uses around 9 GB.

Seriously consider running Linux over Windows.

That said, the Grand Hub still struggles. All the other player models running around will make the game chuuuuug, but once you’re actually out hunting, performance stabilizes and remains consistent. Whether future updates will improve hub performance remains to be seen. (Check out the mod that helps with checks around the DLC Palico. Easily 10-20 fps difference when your PC isn't spammed with checks. Hopefully Capcom corrects the issue.)

If you don’t meet the specs, Monster Hunter: World will run far better and arguably looks better. Rise/Sunbreak can run on just about anything.

Gameplay

It’s Monster Hunter.

The game has been built around Focus Mode, and I still have mixed feelings about it. In previous titles, attention to positioning and commitment to long wind-up attacks was crucial. I still want Capcom to bring back the /flex emote after drinking a potion. Now, that awareness is less critical when you can simply aim with Focus Mode regardless of attack commitment.

That said, after 400+ hours, I don’t dislike the feature as much as I did at launch. Using Focus Mode to land the final hit of Perfect Rush on a sleeping monster is always satisfying, and hopefully the system will continue to be refined.

I had concerns about the wound system at launch, but Rank 8 and 9 monsters are now far more resistant. Wounds require consistent damage, or monsters may briefly expose glowing weak spots after powerful attacks. Thankfully, the days of permanently glowing monsters are gone.

I previously complained about the Seikret, but it’s grown on me. You can either take control and ride it yourself or let it Uber you to your destination. If you let it auto-ride, slow down and take in the environment—there’s a surprising amount of charm in the ecosystem.

Although I was disappointed that armor was limited to Male/Female versions rather than the old A/B or Melee/Gunner variants, nearly a year’s worth of armor has opened up plenty of mix-and-match layered set options, even without relying on DLC.

Quality of Life & UI

Capcom has clearly listened to feedback. More chests have been added to reduce the need to return to your tent. Flashy RGB armor effects can now be disabled. Map access has been improved, and many of the UI prompts that previously slowed movement through the game have been cleaned up. At this point, I can’t think of any meaningful UI complaints. The game now prioritizes getting you into hunts instead of holding you back.

Multiplayer & World

This game is Monster Hunter.

Early hunts are short and entertaining, and adding three other hunters creates some of the most enjoyable moments in the series. Mods can occasionally ruin hunts when players artificially inflate their gear stats, but most Squad and Link hunts have been solid in my experience.

Random matchmaking is always a gamble. A lack of communication can lead to failure, but it can also create some truly memorable hunts. The Guild Hub has returned and is a great place to hang out, chat, and coordinate hunts. Bowling is fun, though it does reduce the need to farm consumables. Player counts spike with each update and then taper off again, and Capcom still needs a better way to keep players engaged long-term. That said, I can usually find an active hub on weekends.

Story, Difficulty & Endgame

The world-building and story do a good job of reinforcing you as the hero. Cinematic scenes and walk-and-talk segments can be a bit long, but I played using the Japanese voice acting, which was well done. English voice acting is done well too, but still missing my MonHun language. Curious to see how Spanish will be.

With over 400 hours played, the game starts off easy, which is great for newcomers. Quality-of-life changes clearly worked, given the nearly 10 million copies sold. While the saying “it’s not easier, you’ve just improved as a hunter” may be true, hunts now typically last between 5 and 10 minutes, compared to 15 to 20 minutes in older titles.

Recent Tempered monsters have added much-needed challenge. The monsters introduced in TU2 will punish careless play, while TU3 and TU4 can be downright brutal.

The latest Rank 9 monsters push player skill even further. Some hunts take longer due to inflated health pools, but Omega in particular is a true test. I hope Capcom doesn’t nerf it. I’ve steadily improved to the point where I can clear the hunt consistently, but Savage Omega can still induce panic when bombs are falling everywhere. This is the kind of difficulty the game needed. Friction makes victory meaningful.

Gogmazios a is spectacular cinematic fight, but I don't see myself fighting it much aside from the endgame grind. Fatalis still wins it for my favorite fight of recent MonHun titles.

In the end, The game doesn’t get easier—you simply become a better hunter will be one of the most rewarding things you will get out of the game.

Final Thoughts

In the end, yes, there are issues, but you can easily expect to invest 50+ hours, if not hundreds. If your PC doesn’t meet the specs, Monster Hunter: World or Rise/Sunbreak are still excellent options. Otherwise, I’m looking forward to continuing my time with Wilds.

Nearly a year later, I still enjoy hunting monsters I’ve fought dozens of times, especially with the endgame grind for God Talismans and GOG weapons. The game may have fallen off from its all-time high, but that’s Monster Hunter. Hopefully Capcom gives G-Rank the time it deserves instead of rushing it.

This game can be amazing—but only if Capcom truly learned from its mistakes. Maybe history will repeat where Low/High Rank has issues, but the G-Rank expansion nails it.