Monster Hunter’s World and Rise have greatly influenced the development of Monster Hunter Wilds. This was evident in a brief glimpse of the game at The Game Awards 2023. The similarities Wilds already shares with World and Rise are apparent in their scale and focus on mount travel while being pursued by a horde of monsters. This structure resembles Monster Hunter Rise’s Rampage quests. Additionally, Wilds has reimagined mount traversal with a multifaceted flying mount and a rapidly evolving landscape.

However, there is limited information available and the game is expected to be released in 2025. Despite the scarcity of details, implications can be drawn from the brief gameplay snippet. It will be intriguing to see how these significant design choices impact the established traditions in the franchise’s latest entries. A potential shift towards mount-oriented gameplay in Monster Hunter Wilds is a substantial change, and its effects on dismounted traversal and traditional gameplay mechanics such as stamina could be even more radical.

Monster Hunter Wilds Should Rethink Stamina

Monster Hunter’s Stamina in World and Rise

Stamina and sprinting speeds contribute to the immersive experience of Monster Hunter, especially in World and Rise. Players cannot simply outrun giant monsters, forcing them to devise strategic approaches based on the weapon type they have chosen.

In these games, mounts quickly become the primary mode of travel, making it essential to unlock mount access in each location. Even in Rise, where the areas are less expansive, sprinting becomes underwhelming when players can ride Palamutes or utilize Rise’s wirebug functionality.

Stamina Considerations for Monster Hunter Wilds

Supplementary methods such as consuming meals and drinks can enhance stamina. However, the gameplay in Monster Hunter Wilds may require a substantial change to the stamina system. If players need to constantly flee from swarming monsters or rapidly changing environments, sprinting may no longer be effective.

Eliminating stamina entirely may not be reasonable. However, loosening its restrictive nature could enable players to make last-resort dashes to safety in harsh environments. Escaping from monsters on foot would be impossible without a mount, necessitating a potential buff to sprinting in this upcoming installment. With the addition of flying mounts, the necessity for dismounted travel remains to be seen— perhaps free flight is limited to certain heights.

Sprinting should remain challenging to make escapes on foot perilous, but it could be less punishing and unsatisfying to accommodate diverse environment designs. Alternatively, Capcom might intensify the chaos and demands of sprinting and stamina, providing even more incentive to avoid being on foot whenever possible.