Monster Hunter Wilds

Game images by RAWG

Monster Hunter Wilds

Capcom

PC; PlayStation 5; Xbox Series X|SPremium purchase + cosmetic/expansion DLC

Health Score

DECENT

Official Website Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

Monster Hunter Wilds offers a demanding co-op hunting experience focused on skill, preparation, and teamwork. While satisfying for dedicated players, its significant difficulty, time commitment, and fantasy violence with blood and dismemberment require careful consideration for younger children. In-game purchases for cosmetics and expansions are present.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Monster Hunter Wilds is a qualified fit for families with older children who enjoy a significant challenge and cooperative play. With a 'Decent' health score, it excels in fostering teamwork and strategic thinking, but its demanding gameplay and the need for extensive playtime mean it's best for teens aged 13+ who can commit to long sessions and tolerate fantasy violence. Parents should be aware of online interactions and cosmetic purchase options.

What kids actually do

Players track and battle large, fantastical creatures using a variety of weapons, learning monster patterns and exploiting weak points.
Players gather resources, craft and upgrade an array of weapons and armor from monster parts, which involves strategic preparation for hunts.
Players team up with friends or other online hunters to tackle demanding quests, requiring coordination and communication.

Where it shines

The game strongly promotes teamwork and communication in its cooperative hunts, as players must strategize and support each other to succeed against tough monsters.
Monster Hunter Wilds fosters a deep sense of mastery through learning complex weapon mechanics, understanding intricate monster behaviors, and preparing meticulously for each challenging encounter.

Parent watch-outs

Hunts can be very time-consuming and difficult, requiring significant player dedication and potentially leading to frustration for less patient children.
The game features fantasy violence with blood splatter effects and the dismemberment of monster parts (like tails), which may be intense for some players.
Online multiplayer exposes children to interactions with other users, and there are in-game purchases for cosmetic items and expansions.

Family rules worth setting

Set clear time limits for play sessions, especially for longer hunts, to manage screen time and prevent fatigue.
Monitor online interactions if your child plays with strangers, or encourage playing only with known friends and parental supervision.

Talk about this

Discuss the importance of persistence and learning from failures when facing difficult challenges in games and in life.
Talk about spending limits for in-game purchases and the value of cosmetic items versus essential gameplay content.

Play style

Monster Hunter Wilds features a demanding session rhythm, with hunts often lasting many minutes and requiring sustained focus. Difficulty is high, especially in later stages, often requiring precise dodging and strategic thinking. While solo play is possible, the game strongly encourages cooperative online multiplayer with up to four players, where teamwork is key. Children may need help understanding complex weapon controls and monster mechanics, particularly at the outset.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

3/5

Creativity

3/5

Pro-Social

3/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

2/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

3/5

Social Risk

3/5

Content Intensity

3/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

3/5

The game scores a 3 for Educational Value due to its emphasis on pattern recognition, requiring players to observe and learn monster behaviors to succeed. It also teaches preparation and strategic planning through crafting and loadout management before difficult hunts.

Addictive Monetization

2/5

Monster Hunter Wilds receives a score of 2 for Addictive Monetization because it is a premium purchase title with optional cosmetic and expansion DLC. While in-game purchases are present, they are primarily for aesthetics and additional content, not for pay-to-win advantages or aggressive monetization loops.

Pro-Social

3/5

Pro-Social scores a 3 as teamwork is a core component of successful monster hunts, especially against tougher adversaries. Players must coordinate strategies and support each other, fostering communication and cooperative skills.

Content Intensity

3/5

Content Intensity is rated 3 due to the game's depiction of fantasy violence, which includes blood splatter effects and the ability to dismember monster parts. The repeated slaying and carving of creatures may be unsettling for some players.

Social Risk

3/5

Social Risk scores a 3 because the game features online multiplayer with interactions between users. While co-op is a highlight, it means exposure to other players, which may carry risks associated with online communities.

Negatives

•Demanding difficulty and time-consuming hunts
•repeated slaying and carving of creatures may bother some players.

Positives

•Teaches pattern recognition, preparation and teamwork
•big sense of mastery learning complex weapons and monster behaviours.

Gameplay Videos

Monster Hunter Wilds PS5 Gameplay [4K 60FPS]

KingHans

1 of 3

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Official Ratings

T (Teen) – expected

ESRB

ViolenceBloodMild Language

Users Interact; In-Game Purchases

PEGI 16 – expected

PEGI

ViolenceIn-Game PurchasesOnline Play

Age Fit

ℹ️Ages 3-5

Not suitable due to complex gameplay, demanding difficulty, and content intensity.

ℹ️Ages 6-8

Not recommended; game is too difficult and intense for this age group, even with co-play.

ℹ️Ages 9-12

Only for highly patient, monster-obsessed kids with significant adult guidance due to difficulty and fantasy violence.

ℹ️Ages 13-15

A strong fit for teens who enjoy challenging co-op monster battles, can handle fantasy violence, and are prepared for demanding gameplay.

ℹ️Ages 16-18

Excellent for older teens who appreciate deep, challenging co-op experiences and long-term progression, accustomed to fantasy violence and online interaction.