"Play Monster Hunter: World Before Wilds: Here's Why"

As one of Steam's most pre-ordered games right now, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to be a massive hit. For those new to the series, diving into Wilds without prior experience might be daunting due to the franchise's complex mechanics. While Wilds will likely have a robust tutorial, we recommend newcomers try a previous title first—specifically, 2018's Monster Hunter: World—to get a feel for the series' signature gameplay and structure.

We're not suggesting you play World for its storyline, as Wilds won't be a direct continuation. Instead, World is recommended because it closely mirrors the style and structure of Wilds, serving as an excellent introduction to the sometimes intricate systems and engaging gameplay loop that define the Monster Hunter series.

Why Monster Hunter: World?

You might wonder why we recommend World over the more recent Monster Hunter Rise. While Rise is an excellent game, Wilds appears to be a direct successor to World, focusing on larger, seamless zones rather than Rise's smaller, speed-focused areas. World's emphasis on tracking monsters through detailed ecosystems is the blueprint for Wilds' expansive open areas, making it the perfect preparatory game.

World's approach to storytelling and campaign structure will also set your expectations for Wilds. You'll encounter familiar elements like the Hunter's Guild and your feline companions, the Palicos, though these will not be directly connected to previous or future entries. Think of it like the Final Fantasy series—each game features iconic elements but tells a distinct story.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The strongest reason to play World first is its challenging combat system. With 14 weapons, each with unique playstyles and strategies, World offers a perfect arena to familiarize yourself with these systems. Whether it's mastering the swift dual-blades or the powerful greatsword, World is an ideal training ground for honing your skills before tackling Wilds.

In Monster Hunter, your weapon is your primary tool, akin to a character class in traditional RPGs. World teaches you how to upgrade your weapons using parts from slain monsters and navigate the weapon tree. It also emphasizes the importance of positioning and attack angles over raw damage, helping you understand the best ways to utilize each weapon against different monster parts.

Additionally, World introduces the Slinger, a tool crucial for combat in Wilds as well. Learning how to use the Slinger effectively—whether blinding monsters with Flash Pods or dealing chip damage with poison knives—will enhance your gameplay. Familiarity with World's crafting menus and recipes will also benefit you when you start crafting in Wilds.

The overall gameplay loop of tracking monsters, gathering materials, and preparing for hunts becomes second nature in World, providing a significant advantage as you transition to Wilds. Each hunt is designed to take time, teaching you patience and strategy.

Finally, there's an added incentive to play World: importing save data into Wilds will grant you free Palico armor, and additional armor if you have data from World's Iceborne expansion. This small perk adds a fun element to your journey.

While it's not mandatory to play a previous Monster Hunter game before starting a new one, the unique systems and depth of the series make World an invaluable experience. As Wilds launches on February 28, 2025, now is the perfect time to dive into Monster Hunter: World and immerse yourself in its world, preparing for the adventure ahead.