Those new to theMonster Hunterseries might not know about the chronology of the series, sinceMH Worldis where the series exploded andMonster Hunter Wildsis helping it become the sensation that it is today. It also helps that practically anyMonster Huntergame can serve as the series' entry point, with each tending to have a separate story. The only carry-overs are the general gameplay formula and the monsters themselves, although each new entry brings with it a new cast of creatures too, keeping each title feeling unique while part of theMonster Hunterfranchise.
Monster Hunter Wildsis doing well to carry on the series' success, even before its release on February 28, withthe two open betas bringing in some impressive concurrent player numberson Steam. It’s shaping up to be the biggest game in the series, from both a success and world-size perspective, and while it doesn’t really affect the experience of the game, new players might seeWildsas a sequel toRise.From a design and continuity standpoint,MH Wildsis a sequel toWorld, notRise, and there are a few reasons for this.
Capcom Calls Monster Hunter Wilds MH6 Internally
Capcom Stopped Using Numbers After MH4
Internally, Capcom still uses numbers for someMonster Huntergames, although these games don’t officially use numbers in naming.Monster Hunter WorldisMH5andWildsisMH6, makingWildsa direct sequel toWorld(2018), notRise(2021), the series' most recent game. The reason for not using the numbers anymore is purely for marketing, since new players are less likely to play a newMonster Huntergame if it has a number, thinking that they have to play the prior entries instinctively. Dropping the numbers clearly works, consideringWorld’s popularity and thesuccess seen inWilds' two betasahead of its full release.
Monster Hunterhas expanded with more spin-off titles, likeMonster Hunter Stories 1and2andMH Now.
Each new mainlineMonster Huntertitle heralds in a new generation, which is where numbers are still used in the series.Monster Hunter Worldbrought in the fifth generation, withWorld’sIceborneexpansion,Rise, andRise’sSunbreakexpansioncontinuing that generation, andWildsis bringing in the sixth generation. An indicator of whether aMonster Huntergame is a spin-off or a main title heralding a new generation is the team behind it, since the developers of the franchise are split into two teams and work on different types of games as a result, or at least traditionally speaking.
Monster Hunter Is Split Into Two Teams
One Handles The Main Games, The Other Handles Portable Titles
A good way to understandMonster Hunterdevelopment is to split the studio into two teams, Team A and Team B.Team A handles the main numbered entries (MH 1–4, World, Iceborne,andWilds) while Team B handles the spin-off games(MH Freedom, Unite, Generations, Rise,andSunbreak). With bothWildsbeing made by the same team behindIceborneandWorld, it makes it the sequel to that game, notRise, although it does share some ofRise’s mechanics, like having a mount, talking player characters, and named NPCs.
Unlike Palamutes fromRise, Seikrets will not help fight a monster but will allow for weapon changing and work as mobile storage.
Another way of looking at the two teams is that one handles big releases on consoles while the other works on games for handheld devices. This can get messy sinceMonster Hunterhasn’t always had a concrete home on consoles.Handheld consoles have always been there to helpMonster Hunter, withMH4being on the 3DS andMH2being on the PSP, but splitting the teams as home console and handheld will likely work in the future, since Team B will probably make anothertitle for the Switch 2later down the line.
Monster Hunter Wilds Is Following World’s Example
And It Looks Likely To Emulate Its Success
Whether or not players understand howMonster Hunterreleases work,it is clear to see thatWorldis the game that informsWildsthe most.Wildsis pushing the series to a new level of graphical fidelity, just likeWorlddid back in 2018, and the gameplay has the slower, more deliberate feel ofWorld, rather than the rapid pace ofRise. In many ways,Wildshas taken aspects of both entries that have come before, but it feels like it is building offWorldwhile taking what works and ignoring what didn’t fromRise.
Monster Hunter Wilds Beta Has Shown Me The Series Needs A Good Story Now More Than Ever
Now that I’ve completed the Monster Hunter Wilds beta, I’m more sure than ever that this series absolutely deserves a good and compelling story.
Either way,Monster Hunter Wildswill be the most approachable entry in the series and, although it will still have the series' famed difficulty, it will introduce itself to many new players, just likeWorlddid. By nature,Monster Huntertitles don’t require players to have played prior entries, sticking to its formula in a similar way to Nintendo titles likeThe Legend of ZeldaorPokémon.Much likePokémon, players don’t need to play prior titles to know what’s happening, but when they’re in the loop, it’s impossible to get out of it.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds is the highly anticipated follow-up to Capcom’s multi-million seller, Monster Hunter World. Announced at The Game Awards 2023, Monster Hunter Wilds will put players into a sprawling world where they’ll hunt monsters to create new weapons and armor while protecting their home base and uncovering the secrets of unexplored lands with friends or alone.
