Monster Hunter Wilds: Release Date, Platforms, Story, & Gameplay Details

Monster Hunter Wilds is the next mainline entry in Capcom’s Monster Hunter series following the release of Monster Hunter Rise and arguably one of the most anticipated games of 2025. With a little over a year having passed since the initial announcement, Monster Hunter Wilds will finally be launching across various platforms in February.

Aside from being highly anticipated by veteran players, those who have been looking to break into the franchise may have the best opportunity before them. Monster Hunter Wilds is being marketed as a relatively beginner-friendly entry to the series, and it’s even offering several opportunities for players to try it out with Open Beta testing.

When Monster Hunter Wild Releases

Hunters Will Be Back On The Hunt This February

The official announcement of Monster Hunter Wilds at the 2023 Game Awards sparked a flurry of anticipation among players who had been eagerly awaiting the next Monster Hunter game, but the wait is nearly over. Monster Hunter Wilds will be making its way into players’ hands on February 28th, 2025. However, some players have already had the opportunity to sample the game by participating in the Open Beta Test that took place this past October and November.

Monster Hunter Wilds Hands-On Preview: The Most Approachable Franchise Entry Yet

Screen Rant traveled to Osaka to go hands-on with Monster Hunter Wilds and left impressed with how detailed and accessible the upcoming title is.

For those who missed out, Capcom is providing yet another opportunity to see what’s to come with a second Open Beta, falling just a week or two before the game’s formal release. To participate in the Open Beta Test 2, players simply need a compatible platform, which includes a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC with the minimum required specs. Keep in mind, however, that the second Beta Test will not feature any performance improvements, as these will come with the official launch.

Open Beta Test 2	Date & Time (PT)
Open Beta Test 2 (First Run)	February 6th at 7 p.m. – February 9th at 6:59 p.m.
Open Beta Test 2 (Second Run)	February 13th at 7 p.m. – February 16th at 6:59 p.m.

For those who participated in the Open Beta Test 1, you will have the option to carry over your data as long as you participate on the same platform as before. Note that everyone can participate in the Open Beta Test 2, regardless of whether they participated in the first one. This second test will include everything that was previously available in the first test as well as new content, including exclusive bonuses that can be claimed in the full version once it launches.

Everything We Know About The Monster Hunter Wilds Story

The Mystery Of The White Wraith

Although Monster Hunter story plots can notoriously feel a bit underwhelming, Monster Hunter Wilds may offer an opportunity to change that. Focusing on one of the player’s companions, Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of Nata, a boy discovered on the outskirts of the Forbidden Lands, and his village. Though the area is believed to be uninhabited, Nata details the story of how his village and everyone in it were attacked by a mysterious creature nicknamed the White Wraith.

Alma from Monster Hunter, Ryu from Street Fighter and Ulrika From Dragon's Dogma 2

Monster Hunter Wilds Has The Best Features From Capcom’s Best Games

Monster Hunter Wilds feels like a culmination of everything Capcom has worked on in the last few years, and one feature, in particular, shines.

In an effort to rescue Nata’s people, the Keepers, the Guild decides to organize an investigation into this mysterious monster, and its attack on Nata’s village. Assigned to one of the units, players will work as a professional Monster Hunter alongside their companions to defeat monsters, maintain balance in the land, and ultimately uncover the secret behind the elusive White Wraith in a story that sounds more involving than the typical Monster Hunter approach.

Monster Hunter Wilds Gameplay Details

Familiar Hunts, New Features, & Expansive Ever-Changing Environments

While the story is worth keeping up with, most Monster Hunter players would likely agree that it often pales in comparison to the overall gameplay, world, and the hunts themselves. To no surprise, all 14 classic weapon types will be available, but each one will feature new actions and moves to aid players on any hunt. However, the most exciting new gameplay mechanic is undoubtedly the newly introduced Focus Mode.

Arkveld, a white dragon with furred back and long tail, in Monster Hunter Wilds._

Monster Hunter Wilds’ Art Director Reveals Just How Long A Monster Design Takes

Monster Hunter Wilds’ art director Kaname Fujioka reveals his process for designing monsters (and some of his favorites) ahead of the game’s release.

Focus Mode is a new mechanic debuting in Monster Hunter Wilds that will offer a completely new approach to taking on monsters. Focus Mode, in essence, is a mode in which hunters can attack or guard in the direction of their camera. While this may not sound that revolutionary on the surface, it allows for a plethora of new options, including strafing, maintaining a charge attack while turning directions, and more.

The Focus Mode will also highlight certain aspects of the targeted monster, allowing hunters to deal more damage. While utilizing Focus Mode, previously injured points and weak spots on the monster will be highlighted, showing where hunters will be able to perform Focus Strikes and deliver the most damage possible. This is not only a great addition for veteran players, adding even more depth to the gameplay they know and love, but one that also enhances the beginner-friendliness of the game once again.

Alma smiling at the player while on a boat in Monster Hunter Wilds.

10 Biggest Gameplay Changes We Noticed In The Monster Hunter Wilds Hands-On

The biggest additions and improvements coming with Monster Hunter Wilds that Screen Rant noticed during an extended hands-on preview with the title.

As for the world itself, Monster Hunter Wilds is shifting away from the style of Monster Hunter Rise and back to that of something more akin to Monster Hunter World, as players will be able to explore the map’s open and expansive environments in ever-changing conditions. That being said, one feature from Monster Hunter Rise will make a return, as hunters will be able to explore this new world aboard their new mount, the Seikret, a replacement for the previously mountable Palamutes.

Monster Hunter Wilds Platforms & Pre-Orders

Three Versions, PlayStation Exclusives, & Pre-Order Bonuses

Monster Hunter Wilds is available for pre-order and will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Unfortunately, although Monster Hunter Rise was a day-one Nintendo Switch exclusive, Monster Hunter Wilds will not be available for Nintendo players at launch, and it’s unlikely that it ever will make its way to the platform given the performance demands of this entry in the series.

A Palico from Monster Hunter Wilds, holding a wooden hammer, next to the Rathalos.

Monster Hunter Wilds Leak Could Make An Iconic Fight A Whole Lot Worse

Monster Hunter Wilds seems to be everything that fans want from a current gen MH game but one change could hurt an iconic fight in the series.

For those who are looking to go ahead and pre-order Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom is offering a few pre-order bonuses to players of every platform. However, those pre-ordering the PlayStation version can earn an exclusive pre-order bonus specific to their console in addition to the other bonuses. Note that the time deadline for acquiring the pre-order bonus does vary by platform since Steam does not offer traditional pre-ordering.

Pre-Order Bonus	Platform	Deadline
Layered Armor (Guild Knight Set), Talisman (Hope Charm), Monster Hunter Wilds Mini Art Book (Only for Digital Versions from the PlayStation Online Store)	PlayStation	February 27th, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Layered Armor (Guild Knight Set) & Talisman (Hope Charm)	Xbox Series X\|S	February 27th, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Layered Armor (Guild Knight Set) & Talisman (Hope Charm)	PC	February 28th, 2025 at 4:59 a.m. (UTC)

In addition to pre-order bonuses, Capcom is also offering three different versions of Monster Hunter Wilds, each with unique perks. The cheapest version is the Standard Edition, which includes just the base game and any pre-order bonuses. The mid-tier version is the Deluxe Edition, which includes everything from the Standard Edition as well as a Deluxe Pack that includes various hunter customizations.

A monster hunter and her companion in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Monster Hunter Wilds Brings Highly Requested Features Like Crossplay & More

Crossplay is just one of the quality-of-life improvements being introduced in Monster Hunter Wilds, but don’t expect to find new weapons.

Finally, the most expensive version of the game is the Premium Deluxe Edition, which includes everything in the previous two editions as well as Premium Bonuses, which include even more customizations as well as guaranteed access to two unreleased cosmetic DLCs that will be coming later this year. Keep in mind that Capcom will also be offering bonuses to those with existing save data from other Monster Hunter games, like MH World.

Regardless of which version you choose, checking out the Open Beta Test 2 to sample what’s to come and get in any pre-orders could be worth the time before the game officially drops on February 28th, 2025. Monster Hunter Wilds has a long legacy to live up to, but it could very well become another classic.

Source: MonsterHunter.com