Hey, Mike here with Nerd Problems Gaming, and today I want to share my Monster Hunter Wilds Review. I’ve been playing through it recently, and while I’m not a die-hard fan of the Monster Hunter franchise, I’ve had a blast with this game, and I think it’s worth talking about in detail. So read on for our full review of Monster Hunter Wilds!
Monster Hunter Wilds Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, Monster Hunter Wilds is a third-person action RPG where the main gameplay loop revolves around hunting gigantic monsters. You play as a hunter, customizing and upgrading your weapons and armor using the parts you carve from your defeated foes. The story follows your character as they explore the Forbidden Lands in search of a powerful and mysterious monster known as the White Wraith. Along the way, you’re also trying to reunite a young boy named Nata with his village after it was destroyed by that same creature.
The game’s structure feels very much like a boss rush format. You get bits of story between big fights, and then you dive into these massive, cinematic monster battles. After each fight, you get a breather where you can gather resources, upgrade your gear, and prepare for the next challenge. It’s a simple loop, but honestly, it’s pretty addictive.
That said, it can start to feel a little repetitive, especially if you rely on the same weapon for most of your playthrough. Since each weapon type has specific combos that don’t change much, it’s easy to fall into a routine. Still, the game spices things up as you go deeper, throwing in new monster types, tougher fights, and environmental hazards to keep you on your toes.
Monster Hunter Wilds Game Difficulty
Now, like I said earlier, I’m not a long-time Monster Hunter veteran, so I can’t compare this installment to every other game in the series. However, compared to the ones I have played, this one felt a bit more approachable. It holds your hand more, which I really appreciated.
Monster Hunter games have a reputation for being complex and tough to get into, but this one eases you in by introducing mechanics slowly instead of overwhelming you all at once. I loved how every new monster encounter taught me something new and gradually helped me understand the systems better.
One of the cool quality-of-life features in Monster Hunter Wilds is the Firefly navigation system. These little bugs guide you around the map and let you lock in destinations, so your mount can take you exactly where you want to go. The maps themselves are pretty elaborate, with multiple layers and paths weaving through each other, and I found that having autopilot to key locations was super helpful. It gave me time to do things like heal, sharpen my weapons, or craft on the go without worrying about getting lost.
Massive Weapon and Armor Variety
Speaking of weapons, there’s an awesome variety in this game. Each type has its own unique feel and playstyle. I mostly stuck with the dual blades, which felt fast and fun, but I’m looking forward to trying out more weapon types, especially as new content and expansions are released. It’s cool how each weapon gives you a totally different strategy for taking down monsters, and I appreciate the flexibility that gives you as a player.
Monster Hunter Wilds Review – Graphics
Visually, the game looks fantastic. The environments are rich and diverse—jungles, deserts, mountaintops, caves, and sprawling plains. Every biome is vibrant and adds to the immersion. And the monster designs are just incredible. These massive beasts look and move in ways that really make each encounter feel epic. The game world feels alive, and the level of detail is top-notch.
One thing that stood out to me compared to earlier Monster Hunter games is that this one felt much more solo-friendly. In the past, I felt like I needed to team up with other players to make progress, but Monster Hunter Wilds gives you more freedom to go it alone. There’s even a flare system that lets you summon AI companions to help you in tough fights, which I used from time to time when battles got too tough. It gave me that team-based feeling without needing to play online, which was a big plus for me.
Addictive RPG Mechanics
Another aspect I loved was the crafting and gear progression. After each monster battle, you can harvest their parts and head back to town to upgrade your equipment. It’s super satisfying to turn a monster you just barely beat into new armor and weapons. You start with some basic gear options, but as you move through the game, you really have to think strategically about your builds—matching gear to specific monsters’ weaknesses, enhancing your resistances, and so on. Early on, the difficulty is manageable, but it ramps up, and you’ll need to plan carefully if you want to survive.
Monster Variety
The monster variety also impressed me. While some of them share a base design or archetype (like spider-type monsters), each one still feels unique. They have different attacks, weak points, and even breakable parts. Visually they’re distinct, and their behaviors vary enough to keep things interesting even when you’re technically fighting a “similar” monster. It never really got boring because each encounter still felt like a fresh puzzle to solve.
The fights themselves are probably my favorite part of the game. Each battle feels like a real accomplishment, especially since many of them can take 15 to 30 minutes, sometimes longer. When you finally bring one of those monsters down, it’s so satisfying. Especially knowing you’ll get cool materials to craft better gear. It gives the game this awesome loop of effort, reward, and progression that’s hard to put down.
The Negatives
If I had to nitpick, I’d say the controls take time to get used to, and the repetitive nature of some fights might not appeal to everyone. They definitely feel clunky, especially at first. I think that’s a known quirk of the series, but it still took some getting used to.
The weapons, being large and weighty, are slow to swing, and item management in battle can be awkward. More than once I fumbled and used the wrong item at the wrong time, or struggled to get to the item I needed. It’s something that improves with practice, but it can be frustrating for new players.
But even with those minor flaws, this was a game that really hooked me. I’m looking forward to diving back in, trying out new weapons, and maybe even jumping into multiplayer later on.
Monster Hunter Wilds Review – Final Thoughts
Overall, I had a great time with Monster Hunter Wilds. The story, while not groundbreaking, was enough to keep me engaged, especially with the added emotional arc of helping Nata find his village again. The gameplay loop kept pulling me back in, and I loved the sense of growth and progress as I crafted better gear and took on harder monsters. The way the game gradually teaches you the mechanics makes it a fantastic entry point for new players, and the depth and challenge should still satisfy long-time fans.
If you’ve played Monster Hunter Wilds, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Was it too easy? Too hard? A good starting point for new players? Let me know in the comments! And if you enjoyed this video or found this Monster Hunter Wilds review helpful, be sure to hit that like button—it really helps out the channel.
Also, quick shoutout—we’ve partnered with Nutmeg Games! If you’re into board games, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, or anything in between, check them out at nutmegames.com/nerdprosgaming. Use promo code nerdprosgaming at checkout to get 10% off and support us!
And don’t forget to subscribe and turn on those bell notifications so you don’t miss any future videos. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll catch you in the next one!
By the way, if you like this content be sure to check out our other blog posts on Must Own RPGs for Nintendo Switch!