Monster Hunter Wilds Excels, But Co-op Gameplay Requires Improvement

The long wait is nearly over as Monster Hunter Wilds finally approaches its release date, and I couldn’t be more excited. As a massive fan of the series, especially after clocking over 300 hours on Monster Hunter World, I’ve been eagerly anticipating this sequel.

Now that the reviews are in, the general consensus leans positively, although our team at Windows Central did point out a significant flaw: the game’s ease. For a franchise known for challenging gameplay, this is a bit of a head-scratcher. Having had the chance to try it out early, I’m eager to share my insights, particularly on this topic.

Reducing the difficulty in Monster Hunter Wilds could be seen as a double-edged sword. True, it shifts away from what long-time players might expect, yet it’s a welcoming change for new and casual gamers. By being more accessible, the game could reach a broader audience, potentially making it the most mainstream entry in the series. Yet, there’s a major disappointment for me — the multiplayer aspect.

Playing multiplayer is how I enjoy the series most, and, unfortunately, it still feels as cumbersome as in previous titles. By 2025, I hoped we’d have moved past such outdated systems. Because of this, my enthusiasm to invest as much time into Wilds has dwindled, which is disappointing for something I’ve been anticipating for so long.

### I Had Higher Hopes for the Co-op Experience

Playing Monster Hunter Wilds with my partner, who also had early access, was supposed to be seamless. Given our experiences with past iterations of the game, I expected improvements in the co-op gameplay, but reality fell short. There are some promising features, like automatic invites post-cutscene in the campaign. However, the invitee’s role remains far from intuitive.

A glaring issue arises when encountering new monsters. We each must watch the introductory cutscene separately. Once over, I immediately enter the battle while my partner struggles with the mechanics of joining my game, dodging ongoing attacks in the process. They must then return to camp and run to rejoin me, which seems unnecessarily complicated.

Does this experience sound smooth? Far from it, especially early in the game when fast travel options are sparse. It raises the question; why can’t we enjoy the story together in the same instance? Instead of constantly being divided by cutscenes or game mechanics, it would be much more gratifying to embark on quests side by side.

Here’s how this clunky process usually unfolds:

1. Team up with a friend and start a mission.
2. Both players enter separate realms, yet remain in the same party.
3. Each discovers the monster and watches the individual cutscene.
4. Post-cutscene, an automatic invite is sent to your partner.
5. Your partner accepts, reloads into your instance from camp.
6. Any progress made separately is lost.
7. Worse still, they might be interrupted by the monster while accepting the invite.

### Multiplayer Monster Hunter Has Gone Backwards

What’s puzzling is how previous titles like Monster Hunter Rise and Generations Ultimate handled co-op far better. In Generations, for instance, cutscenes included party members, eliminating interruptions.

It’s frustrating that Wilds has brought back the clumsy co-op from Monster Hunter World, disregarding years of feedback pleading for a better system. Although World and Wilds focus more on grand storytelling, the franchise succeeds through gameplay mastery. No story should disrupt the fun of multiplayer.

It feels like a disconnect between team objectives, with portable-focused games prioritizing fun and accessibility, while mainline entries pursue cinematic realism, inadvertently adding needless complexity.

### Departing from Tradition to Welcome New Hunters

Even with its shortcomings, Wilds is fun and boasts some stunning moments. Its easier approach should attract a wave of new players to the monster-hunting ranks, which is vital for ongoing success.

For players like me who specialize in the bow, the new focus mode and monster injury indicators are a fascinating addition. In a hectic year of game releases, I appreciate a touch of straightforwardness. Though smoother mechanics and simpler gear progression may seem less fulfilling to seasoned hunters, they offer a helpfully lower entry barrier for newer players. Plus, tougher content can be added with future updates or DLC.

Regardless of the multiplayer issues, I’m hopeful Monster Hunter Wilds will surpass World in popularity, thanks to its broader appeal in solo gameplay. I’m eagerly anticipating a fresh wave of players diving into the adventures this series offers.

Yet, there’s nothing more deflating than discovering you can’t jump into multiplayer straight away. It’s disheartening when what should be a shared joy becomes an exercise in menu navigation and cutscene waiting. As fans, we must advocate for more cohesive systems.

Monster Hunter World was a breakthrough for mainstream recognition. For enthusiasts of seamless co-op, Wilds feels like a step back.

Maybe future patches will address these concerns, but it’s a pity that multiplayer structure isn’t more straightforward from the get-go. When the true magic of Monster Hunter blossoms in shared experiences with friends, it’s disconcerting that funding the fun has been obstructed this way.

In sum, while Monster Hunter Wilds makes admirable strides toward inclusivity, its complex multiplayer system necessitates improvement. Consequently, I doubt Wilds will captivate me as past titles have.