Arena Quests Are Exactly What Monster Hunter Wilds Needs To Stay Alive

After the initial excitement of Monster Hunter Wilds (or Lala Barina bloom) has subsided, I find myself expressing my major concern about the game’s future. Although I admire Capcom’s intention to make Wilds more accessible and inviting for a wider audience – as evidenced by the player numbers – I fear that this focus on a broader appeal might diminish the game’s long-term charm. It’s fantastic to see so many new players enjoying Wilds, but what will happen when they move on to something else? What will be left for dedicated grinders like us?

In its current state, Wild’s final phase hasn’t been fully developed yet, and it seems more updates are needed to provide clarity on how long the game will continue. Regrettably, the information provided about Title Update 1 prior to this week’s full unveiling didn’t instill a lot of trust. The introduction of an old (yet new) monster, a tougher variant of another, and a social gathering area that should have been included from the beginning – these additions might not be enough to keep players engaged until the next update arrives.

Thankfully, there’s more than what you see with Title Update 1. As we witnessed in the March 2025 demonstration, a fresh kind of Arena Quest is introduced which could significantly extend the lifespan of Monster Hunter Wilds, a crucial aspect it currently lacks.

Arena Quests Bring Time Trials To Wilds

In essence, Arena Quests involve racing against time while battling a particular monster with a previously selected character setup. Although it might seem familiar or unoriginal, what sets it apart is its competitive nature, making it an exciting addition to the Monster Hunter gaming experience.

In these time trials, players can compare their performance against other Wilds gamers on a worldwide leaderboard. If they wish, they can strive to improve their position by repeatedly battling to reduce their time, aiming for mastery of the fight. Historically, there has been a dedicated group of speedrunners within the Monster Hunter community; however, with the integration of speedrun systems into the game, I anticipate this community will grow significantly and become more competitive.

Capcom has smartly linked cosmetic rewards in this game mode. Players can earn basic weapon charms by simply finishing the quest, but for the exclusive pendants with eye-catching animations, one needs to meet a specific time or position on the leaderboard. This is an excellent method to flaunt your unique accomplishments during online hunting, and a shrewd approach to keep players involved with Wilds without needing to develop costly and time-consuming new content.

There are certain aspects about Arena Quests that remain unclear. For instance, we’re uncertain about the total number of quests or how frequently they might alter. It would be optimal if a fresh time trial for competition was made available every week, if not daily, to motivate players to keep logging in and progressing along this separate path for advancement. This new path is entirely independent from the usual gear and decoration grind.

Squeezing All The Juice Out Of Monster Hunter Wilds

It’s clear that Wilds, upon its launch, was a streamlined version compared to Monster Hunter: World. Transitioning the series to RE Engine brought about numerous possibilities beneath the hood, but it also implied starting anew in many aspects. At launch, Wilds had fewer monsters than both World and Rise, and currently, it seems a bit light on content overall. Introducing a new monster every three months won’t resolve the issue, but introducing fresh game modes and advancement paths – which can be developed more affordably and swiftly than creating new monsters – might be the solution to keep Wilds thriving.

It’s no surprise that roguelikes have gained significant popularity within the indie gaming scene, as they offer a vast playing experience with minimal content creation requirements. Introducing a roguelike mode to Wilds would be an intriguing prospect, similar to how it was implemented in The Last of Us 2 Remastered, Remnant: From The Ashes, and Hitman 3.

Initially, you’ll begin with a basic melee tool for combat and modest protective gear. Your initial encounters will be with less formidable creatures scattered across various areas. Each creature you defeat offers an opportunity to enhance your equipment or abilities, helping you shape a personalized character as you tackle progressively tougher opponents. If your character dies (known as “carting”), it’s just the start of a brand-new adventure.

Introducing game modes such as Arena Quests could add freshness and excitement to Wilds, enticing players to remain in the Forbidden Lands with engaging activities. The key components are novelty and a solid reward system to keep players intrigued, and that’s precisely what Arena Battles provide.

I can’t wait to observe how the community adapts to Arena Battles, and I’m particularly eager to spot my name on the rankings. Until now, there hasn’t been a compelling reason to fine-tune a battle strategy, but I believe this is going to revolutionize our hunting tactics in Wilds, leading to improved experiences.

2025-03-27 06:37

Arena Quests Bring Time Trials To Wilds

Squeezing All The Juice Out Of Monster Hunter Wilds

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