Monster Hunter Wilds: Duration Revealed

The eagerly awaited Monster Hunter Wilds has finally arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, continuing the legacy of the iconic beast-battling series from Capcom. Following the success of Monster Hunter World and its expansive Iceborne DLC, Wilds promises a thrilling new chapter. But just how long will it take to dive into this adventure? Here, we'll break down the time it took different members of the IGN team to complete the main story, their focus during gameplay, and their experiences with the postgame.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

I completed the main campaign of Monster Hunter Wilds in just under 15 hours. Unlike Monster Hunter Rise, where the first credits appear at the halfway mark, this truly marks the end of the story. However, this only signifies the completion of Low Rank; High Rank follows, offering numerous side quests and increased challenges. My journey didn't end there; I spent another 15 hours tackling these quests to reach the true endgame. By then, I had encountered all available monsters, unlocked all initial systems and crafting options, and delved into the new Artian weapon system. Thanks to the streamlined grind, I only needed five more hours to optimize my desired weapons and armor set, though there's always more to explore with other weapon types.

Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides

I completed the final "story" mission in High Rank at around 40 hours, approximately 22 hours after seeing the credits for the Low Rank portion. My timekeeping might be slightly off due to menu idling for guide purposes. During Low Rank, I focused minimally on the game's deeper systems, crafting what was necessary and moving forward without repeating hunts. In High Rank, I ventured off the story path to engage with new optional monsters and hunted with friends, which is essential for unlocking further Story Missions.

I upgraded my weapon only once by hunting an extra Ajarakan before rushing to the end. If I had more time, my total would likely have been closer to 60 hours, allowing for a more optimized armor and weapon set. Postgame, I still have endemic life-catching, fishing, and six monster-hunting Side Missions to tackle, along with potential additional optional quests. My future plans include farming specific monsters for Talisman upgrades, crafting new armor, experimenting with Artian weapons, and leisurely replaying the story with friends while learning new weapons. Event quests and title updates with new monsters are also on the horizon, keeping the excitement alive.

Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

It took me just under 16 hours to finish the main story of Monster Hunter Wilds, a surprisingly shorter duration compared to my 25-hour journey into World without reaching the end. As a relative newcomer to the series, I found the battles more manageable, though the apex predators did challenge me a couple of times. The game's streamlined approach for newcomers, with less emphasis on elemental strengths, crafting tailored loadouts, and extensive tracking, contributed to this shorter runtime.

The consistent pacing of story cutscenes and monster battles until the credits made it feel less like a traditional Monster Hunter experience and more like a cinematic adventure. While I appreciated the swift conclusion of the story, I wondered if some of the series' core elements were sacrificed for this approach, only to be reintroduced in the post-game.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

I reached the initial credits of Monster Hunter Wilds in about 20 hours, spending most of that time on optional and side quests, with some time dedicated to exploring the game's world. I enjoyed discovering hidden paths, hunting endemic life, customizing my radial menus, and finding optimal camp locations.

It took me 15 hours to complete all High-rank missions and side quests, encountering all post-credit monsters. Since then, I've logged nearly 70 hours in the postgame, enjoying casual hunts with friends, farming decorations, and pursuing monster crowns. I'm eagerly anticipating future title updates that will bring more monsters to the game.

Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides

I saw the first credits of Monster Hunter Wilds after about 20 hours. My focus was primarily on the main story, with occasional detours to craft appealing armor sets and experiment with various weapons, particularly the Switch Axe. Currently, I'm at 65 hours and don't consider the credits the true end, as there's still much to explore and hunt. The story feels like an extended tutorial, which suits me fine, as it leads to more monster encounters and crafting opportunities. Except for Congalala, which I'd rather not see again.