This week, Capcom debuted the first trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds. The latest in the long-running action-adventure series takes us to the Forbidden Lands, an untamed landscape teeming with new monsters that have adapted to the everchanging conditions of their rugged habitat. The new trailer reveals the first glimpse of story along with the new characters and improved gameplay systems.
Monster Hunter Wilds will be the first fully voiced game in the history of the series. Players embark on a journey with a special Research Commission team investigating the Forbidden Lands. Venturing into the unknown, players along with their companions — including Guild-appointed handler Alma, their Palica partner, and a mysterious child — will encounter various locales and immersive ecosystems populated with monsters of all shapes and sizes.
The first biome revealed is Windward Plains, "a vast region encompassing harsh deserts, twisted rock formations, and swaying grasslands abound with life."
The Windward Plains are home to smaller monsters like Dalthydon, "an herbivorous wyvern that migrates seasonally," and Ceratonoth, "who rely on males to shield the herd from raging storms with well-developed dorsal horns that serve as lightning rods." We also see some of the more intimidating larger monsters, such as the Doshaguma. These massive, territorial, fanged beasts are found stalking the plains in aggressive packs. The Chatacabra, meanwhile, uses its surroundings and adhesive saliva to armor its body with natural materials like ore.
The trailer is packed with intense action, which is to be expected from a Monster Hunter game. Monster Hunter Wilds ramps up the action with new features and gameplay improvements.
One of the biggest improvements to the series is the seamless flow from story sequences to gameplay without interruption. There's also the addition of Seikrets, a new type of mount that should help you navigate the sprawling lands more quickly. While riding this new creature, you'll be able to perform actions to help you prepare for your next encounter, such as sharpening weapons, gathering materials, and wielding the slinger. You're also able to swap to a secondary weapon while on the Seikret, removing the previous requirement that had you returning to base. All of this should help reduce your downtime and get you into the action much more quickly.
Capcom has confirmed that all 14 of the series' iconic weapons will return in Monster Hunter Wilds with new actions associated with each as well. There's also a new Focus Mode, that gives hunters more precise control over aiming, guarding, and attacking monsters' weak points. And lastly, the new Hook Slinger allows for contextual actions and the ability to collect items from a distance.
Monster Hunter Wilds is still a bit of a way off — not arriving until 2025 — but it's already shaping up to be the biggest, most expansive game in the series. When it does release, it will be playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.