Love it or hate it, the massive success of Monster Hunter Wilds is undeniable. This game has proven to be highly engaging, more so than any title in the series to date. With high concurrent players, some may even say that the game is perfect from a business perspective. Capcom succeeds in grabbing new players and showing them what Monster Hunter has to offer – but not quite all that it has offered in the past. Returning players such as myself find themselves missing features integral to the franchise’s past. That said, here’s our a top five list of the features, mechanics and equipment that are dearly missed in Monster Hunter Wilds.
1. The Clutch Claw – The ability to mount with your slinger is exactly what Wilds needs
This feature, while exclusive to Monster Hunter World, revolutionized the way that players mount monsters. Upon its reveal, players were thrilled to have a double use in their Slinger. While the Slinger would still be able to release pods, the Clutch Claw would allow players to simply reach out and grab monsters and climb walls with extreme speed. It could even be used to bounce unsuspecting monsters into ledges or rocks for a stagger.
As an Insect Glave main, this mechanic was somewhat left behind due to aerial capabilities, but for the 13 other weapons at the time, mounting was something only obtainable by perfect positioning by a ledge or elevated surface. When Monster Hunter Rise came out, hunters were disappointed to see this tool removed from the sandbox, but it would not be impossible to see its return in Monster Hunter Wilds.
2. Paintballs and Monster Tracking – Finding monsters is just too easy these days
Throughout the entirety of the franchise, paintballs have had a valued spot in every hunter’s arsenal. Now, they are nearly useless as hunters can fully locate monsters simply by taking a glance at their mini-map. This to many takes away from the very heart of Monster Hunter, as many players found pleasure in reading the background of a monster and tracking it down using clues within descriptions and the overworld. It is definitely apparent why these features were removed, and this is because it makes the hunt more accessible for newer players of the franchise. Some claim that this makes Monster Hunter a shell of what it once was, but I believe that it is simply changing for a new generation of hunters.
Monster tracking is also lacking its former shine, as in Monster Hunter World, players would have the opportunity to find loose monster parts in the tracks of the beasts that they hunted. This furthered immersion during hunts, with some monsters seemingly leading players in circles (I’m looking at you, Rathian). This made the clock on the hunt matter far more than it does in Monster Hunter Wilds. If players took too long to find a monster, they would be limited to a shorter span of time to slay or capture it. Keep in mind, this was also during a time where wounds did not exist, so players were forced to fight without high DPS and free materials outside of these tracks and part breaks. It was tricker, but arguably more immersive.
3. Trapping and Delivery Quests – A long lost sigil of past Monster Hunter games
As of now, there are only two quests that require trapping in Monster Hunter Wilds. One quest for a Yian Kut-Ku, and one for a Guardian Ebony Odogaron. Both of these quests are after the credits roll. In previous games, it seemed that every few hunts required trapping monsters or hunting down materials for NPCs. Personally, I believe that the player base would benefit from trapping quests, as many believe firmly that it is not as effective as finishing the hunt.
We can see in the Scarlet Forest that players are able to pick up wyvern eggs, a part of a hallmark side quest to awkwardly carry eggs to the delivery chest at spawn. These quests would reap handy rewards in the past, and it is clear that developers wanted to leave the door open to the possibility of their return in the future. There is a mixed consensus on this topic, as many believe that the game is more action-packed when trapping and deliveries would be left out of the main quest line. Veterans of the franchise seem to be divided when it comes to these quests, but at the same time, their availability would help newer players understand the world that they are playing in.
4. Palico Chefs – Oh, to eat a gourmet meal cooked by local kittens
This is perhaps the only feature that long time players sincerely miss about past games. Upon booting up Monster Hunter Wilds on its release date, I was extremely distraught after finding that there was not a kitten devoted to my in-game nutrition. Before, hunters would only have the opportunity to eat for full buffs if they did so before a hunt at the base. Upon ordering food, a team of Palicos would unite to create gourmet dishes so eloquently that they often made my stomach rumble.
While the new cooking mechanics definitely come in handy during long excavations, they take the routine out of the hunt. Before leaving base, hunters would need to organize their box, check their armor, read up on monster field guides, and finally, eat to obtain the buffs needed for the hunt. For this reason, many wish that Monster Hunter Wilds will drop the current cooking mechanics, or at least bring back a Palico chef for its fans.
5. More Monsters – Monster Hunter Wilds has the third smallest roster despite tech advancements
While I believe that the monster list is amazing in Monster Hunter Wilds, I also know that it is very far from the level of completion that many hoped for. In Monster Hunter Wilds, there were 29 (now 30 with the free update) large monsters. While to some this may seem substantial, compared to the other mainline games in the series, it ranks low with the third lowest monster count upon release. Many know that the real game begins after the credits roll in Monster Hunter, and that within the first year of content, players are supposed to prepare for the big reveal of G-Rank.
While there are monsters planned to release every couple of updates, the game still feels somewhat starved of monster variety in its current state. Players would love to see a Monster Hunter game including at least half of the monsters in the franchise, and with advancements in technology and data storage, it is definitely possible at this point in time. It may be asking a lot, but if Capcom were to release their just half the roster, we’d expect Monster Hunter Wilds to break even more sales records. as well as impress franchise veterans.
While Monster Hunter Wilds is one of my favorite instalments in the series, there is undoubtedly a decent amount of work that needs to be done to make it sparkle in the same ways that previous games have. While there are definitely more than five things to add for the sake of bettering the game we know and love, conquering these first mountains would be a fantastic way for Capcom to show its fans how much they care about their experience in-game. Do you agree with this list? If not, please leave a comment bellow and let me know where I got it wrong! Hunters are better when they unite (no pun intended).
