Monster Hunter Wilds is that rare sequel that takes everything good about its predecessor and improves it all, while also adding more of what made it so specialTech15:00, 24 Feb 2025Updated 16:00, 24 Feb 2025Monster Hunter Wilds is even better than World(Image: Capcom)Its not often you get everything you ask for in a sequel. Theres often a bit of give and take, accepting some things cant be quite as good the second time around, while other aspects are polished to a shine. Monster Hunter Wilds is that rare example of a game that gave me exactly what I wanted.Its Monster Hunter World, but with additional systems, more to do, and a bestiary of those all-important monsters that feels expanded upon in thoughtful ways that lead to challenging encounters. Theres every chance Im going to spend the next six years returning to this game the same way I did its predecessor.Expect a lot more talking(Image: Capcom)If youve ever played a Monster Hunter title, youll have some idea of what to expect. Weighty, deliberate combat against progressively bigger foes, crafting better gear and then returning to the hunt.What story there is tends to be paper thin (if there at all), but Wilds does make more of an effort in this regard. The core conceit of entering a new world to chart the course of its ecology remains, but Nata, a young boy displaced from his home by a mysterious monster, grounds things with a more human angle.His story is nothing revelatory, but it gently strikes an emotional note that the series hasnt really been known for, and there are some twists later in the story that shake things up more than the constant push to hunt something bigger.Helping you feel like an active participant in the campaign, your Hunter is now voiced. Its a small change for some, but helped me enjoy the dialog options more than just the bizarre gestures from World as your Hunter shrugged and then went out to batter a dragon to turn it into a nice hat.Even your Palico (the adorable cat companion) is voiced this time, and theyre not all that annoying either. In fact, none of the supporting cast outstay their welcome, which is a far cry from the overzealous Handler that began to grate in World.Its worth noting that the campaign here feels relatively short. I actually finished it in less than 10 hours, but doing so opens up the real game with a whole host of post-game quests and those all-important High Rank quests.Doshaguma is a fun early-game fight(Image: Capcom)Throughout Monster Hunter Wilds' story youll get a whistlestop tour of, well, the Wilds. There are several biomes to explore, including frozen caves, lush forests, and the dark, grimy Oilwell Basin.Each has its own ecosystem and resources, and I loved every monsters introductory cutscene. As someone that got into the series with World, it was great to see favourites from that game turn up throughout, but I was also surprised by how many monsters were new to me.Some, like the spider-like Nerscylla and farting Congalala, return from older games, while the insectoid Rompompolo is all new for Wilds. Every monster felt like a pleasant surprise to find and hunt, and some will only show up at certain times (although the option to skip time at camp makes that less frustrating than you may think).Rompompolo is, well, grossPerhaps best of all, theres a whole host of monsters not included in the campaign, waiting to be discovered, while theres fresh post-launch species to be included, too. Naturally, things ramp up steadily once you get into High Rank and Tempered monsters, and its there where the intricacies of combat become more keenly felt.Each weapon feels just as unique as it did in World, but many have surprising new abilities. The Bow, for example, can now fire a tracker that helps subsequent shots land on a monster, while the Hunting Horn can now place area-of-effect bubbles to help teammates.Once again, Capcom has outdone itself with the cooking animations(Image: Capcom)You can now take two weapons into a hunt with you, too, and that means its much easier to experiment without heading back to camp. Taking a weapon you feel comfortable with and then swapping to an alternative to keep testing out is a great way to learn the ropes without putting yourself at a disadvantage.Monsters fighting each other remains a highlightI was worried before launch that the new Wound system, which creates weak points the more you hit a specific area of a monster, would feel like a concession for more casual players.In reality, its become one of my favourite new additions, not only adding a satisfying flourish to a well-placed strike, but leading to an almost rhythmic feel as more weak spots open up.Not only does it allow for farming more monster parts, but it also pairs nicely with the AI support Hunters you can call in. With full servers not online yet, I tested the new teammates and found them very helpful, setting traps and bombs of their own volition, while also letting me take the lead in situations such as when a monster retreated to rest.Its the best solution for new players, and could mean more people see the post game, which sees monsters get tougher and gain additional offensive options.Speaking of, while the campaign feeds directly into High Rank hunts, Im still taken aback by the number of additional side quests, capture objectives, and Investigations I have yet to complete. Working to complete all of those will take players plenty of time.Wilds' areas are massive(Image: Capcom)OK, Deviljho isnt actually here (at least not that Ive seen yet), but as the Monster Hunters first entry on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, I wanted to touch upon just how good it looks.World looked great back in 2018, but Wilds feels like the generational leap the hardware deserves. Monsters move in flocks, and areas are huge the Windware Plains map may at first look flat, but it doesnt take long to find a small Oasis, craggy caves, and more.Areas are constantly shifting(Image: Capcom)Youll come to know them well, setting up camps throughout and exploring for resources, but its the small things that make all the difference. Bulaqchi, the insectoid creatures that look like mosquitoes, will twitch when slain, while youll see bigger monsters attack their prey independent of your actions.It feels closer to a real ecosystem, and thats before the weather factors in, with lightning storms posing a hazard to hunters and monsters alike, while seasons shift to see grass grow. Its all very impressive, and loading times (one of the biggest issues I had with World) are minimised greatly even when moving between these huge regions.Monster Hunter Wilds is everything I couldve asked for in a sequel to Monster Hunter World. Ive finished the campaign, put dozens of hours into the post-game, and I still feel like theres so much more to see.I cant wait to see what the community thinks, but I feel this could well be regarded as one of the best games of the year whether youre a Monster Hunter fan or a newcomer.Article continues belowReviewed on PS5 Pro. Review access provided by the publisher.