Monster Hunter Wilds: Duration Revealed

Monster Hunter Wilds has arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, continuing the legacy of Capcom's renowned beast-battling action series. Following the footsteps of Monster Hunter World and its expansive Iceborne expansion, Wilds promises a thrilling adventure. In this article, we'll delve into how long it took different members of the IGN team to complete the main story, their priorities during gameplay, and their experiences in the postgame.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

I reached the credits in Monster Hunter Wilds' campaign in just under **15 hours**, marking the end of the story, unlike Monster Hunter Rise where the first credits appear at the halfway point. However, this only signifies the end of Low Rank; High Rank follows with numerous side quests and tougher challenges.

I spent **another 15 hours** completing nearly all High Rank quests, reaching what I consider the true endgame. This involved battling all available monsters, unlocking all systems and crafting options, and getting introduced to the Artian weapon system. Thanks to Wilds' streamlined grind, it took just another five hours to optimize my preferred weapons and armor set, although there's always more to achieve with other weapon types.

Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides

I completed the final "story" mission of Monster Hunter Wilds in High Rank around the **40-hour mark**, approximately **22 hours after the Low Rank credits**. My timekeeping might not be precise due to idling in menus for guide creation. During the Low Rank phase, I didn't delve into the game's intricate systems, opting to craft with available materials and progress without repeating hunts. In High Rank, I explored optional monsters and hunted with friends, which was necessary to unlock further Story Missions.

I only upgraded my weapon once by hunting an extra Ajarakan before rushing to the end. Ideally, I would have invested more time, aiming for around 60 hours, to create a more efficient armor and weapon set. Postgame, I still have tasks like catching endemic life, fishing, and completing six monster-hunting Side Missions. I plan to farm specific monsters to upgrade Talismans, craft different armor, and experiment with Artian weapons. I'm excited to replay the story with friends, explore new weapons, and look forward to upcoming event quests and title updates with new monsters.

Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

I finished Monster Hunter Wilds' main story in **just under 16 hours**, a quicker runtime compared to my 25-hour journey in Monster Hunter World. As a relative newcomer to the series, I found the battles quite manageable, though some apex predators posed a challenge. The game's streamlined approach for newcomers, with less focus on elemental strategies, loadout crafting, and extensive tracking, certainly impacted the runtime.

The consistent pacing of story cutscenes and monster battles until the credits made the experience feel less like a traditional Monster Hunter game and more influenced by Western cinematic storytelling. While this made it easier to reach the story's conclusion, it might have left some of the series' traditional elements on the sidelines until the postgame.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

I hit the initial credits in Monster Hunter Wilds after about **20 hours**, spending much of that time on optional and side quests. I also enjoyed exploring the game world, hunting endemic life, customizing my settings, and finding optimal camp locations. It took me **15 hours to complete all High-rank missions and side quests**, encountering all monsters post-credits.

Since then, I've logged nearly **70 hours** in the postgame, engaging in fun activities like hunting with friends, decoration farming, and pursuing monster crowns. I'm excited about future title updates that will introduce new monsters to the roster.

Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides

I saw the first credits in Monster Hunter Wilds after about **20 hours**, primarily focusing on the story with occasional detours to craft cool armor sets and experiment with various weapons, particularly the Switch Axe. Currently, at **65 hours**, I view the credits as more of a story turning point than an end, with much more to explore, hunt, and craft. The story feels like an extended tutorial, which suits me fine as it leads to more monster battles, except perhaps for Congalala, which I'd rather not encounter again.