Summary
In 2025,Monster Hunter Wildswill kickstartMonster Hunter’s sixth generation, bringing with it a slew of changes that should give fans plenty more to enjoy. The fifth generation has been running sinceMonster Hunter Worldlaunched in 2018, and while it still has plenty of players, its community was already gearing up to hear about the nextMonster Hunterhalfway through 2023.Monster Hunter Wildswas an exciting prospect before it was even announced, and that excitement should only grow as more information about the game is released.
So far, Capcom has introduced a number of new features present inMonster Hunter Wilds, including multiple weather conditions and a mount known as the Seikret.Hunting inWildslooks similar toWorld’s, though complications due to the weather and dynamic herds of large monsters should keep the action fresh.Monster Hunter Wilds’ gameplay trailer also implied that some major mechanics fromWorldandRisehave been replaced, which should have a noticeable impact considering how integral choice features were to shaping how fans felt about them.
Monster Hunter Wilds Could Be Trading Away Some Thrills
Among the reveals inMonster Hunter Wilds’ first gameplay trailer were a couple of new mechanics that may have bumped old ones out. The now-named Seikret was accompanied by a Palico, but it looks likeMonster Hunter Rise’s Palamutes have been retiredwith their old movement options subsumed by the new avian mount. More pressingly,Rise’s Wirebugs may have suffered the same fate, robbing players of their free aerial movement. This isn’t a great surprise givenWilds’ return to a more groundedMonster Hunter, but it’s still sad to seeRise’s dashing and limited flight go away.
The Mighty Clutch Claw May Be Gone In Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wildsmay have it out for grappling hooks in general, as despite keepingMonster Hunter World’s Slinger, theClutch Claw added inMonster Hunter World: Iceborneis nowhere in sight. It hasn’t been debunked yet, but its primary gameplay purpose of dealing powerful aimed strikes that create temporary weak points or stun monsters also seems to have been absorbed.
Players wanting those results will have to useMonster Hunter Wilds’ Focus Mode instead, which paints set weak points with red Scoutflies while allowing alternate attacks. Focus Mode looks promising but could add some unnecessary complications to what was once a simple “big hit” mechanic.
Monster Hunter Wilds Might Be Righting The Fifth Generation’s Biggest Wrongs
The potential loss ofMonster Hunter’s grappling hooks is unfortunate, but it might be for the best. The Clutch Claw was accessible and satisfying, and mastering the Wirebug gave a whole new layer of depth toMonster Hunter Rise, but they’re also some of their games’ most controversial mechanics. Wirebugs are the strongest evasive tool in anyMonster Huntergame, and their movement was so extreme that it took untilSunbreakfor monsters to consistently keep up with good players.
Enabling everyMonster Hunterweapon typeto easily intrude on the Insect Glaive’s aerial turf didn’t help matters. Returning toMonster Hunter’s baseline was necessary, especially sinceWilds’ Seikret retains the Palaumute’s mounted healing and sharpening.
Why Removing Monster Hunter World’s Clutch Claw Is A Good Thing
For all the changes Wirebugs made toMonster Hunter’s combat, however, they were nothing compared to the Clutch Claw. Effective use of Clutch Claws not only trivialized the baseWorldcampaign after their arrival but also forcedIceborne’s later challenges to accommodate their extra damage and stuns.
Players were expected to regularly re-apply the Claw’s weak point debuff, or kite monsters to quickly stagger them.Certain weapons, particularlyMH World’s Hammer, even encouraged Clutch Claw spamming to great effect. With Focus Mode acting as a more subdued fusion of Silkbind Attacks and Clutch Claw’s effects,Monster Hunter Wildsshould be fun without its balance suffering.
