Monster Hunter Wilds: Duration Revealed

Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in Capcom's acclaimed monster-battling series, has finally arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Following the massive success of Monster Hunter World and its Iceborne expansion, Wilds promises an expansive world filled with thrilling hunts and deep gameplay mechanics. But just how long does it take to conquer this wild adventure? Let's dive into the experiences of different members of the IGN team, exploring their journey through the main story, their priorities, and their adventures in the postgame.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

I completed the campaign of Monster Hunter Wilds in just under **15 hours**, reaching the actual end of the story, unlike the mid-point credits in Monster Hunter Rise. However, this marks only the end of Low Rank. High Rank brings a wealth of side quests and challenging encounters, extending the journey significantly.

It took me an additional **15 hours** to complete nearly all the High Rank quests, reaching what I consider the true endgame. By this point, I had battled all available monsters, unlocked all initial systems and crafting options, and explored the innovative Artian weapon system. Thanks to the streamlined grind, I spent just **five more hours** optimizing my preferred weapons and armor, though there's still much to explore with other weapon types.

I completed the final "story" mission in High Rank after about **40 hours**, roughly **22 hours after the credits rolled for Low Rank**. Note that my time may be slightly off due to extensive menu idling for guide purposes. During the Low Rank portion, I didn't dive deep into the game's intricate systems, focusing instead on crafting what was immediately available and progressing through the story without repeating hunts. In High Rank, I ventured more into optional hunts and multiplayer, which are necessary to unlock further Story Missions.

I made a single detour to upgrade my weapon by hunting an Ajarakan, but otherwise, I rushed to the end. Ideally, I would have spent more time, perhaps reaching **60 hours**, to craft a more efficient armor and weapon set. My postgame plans include catching more endemic life, fishing, and tackling remaining Side Missions. I'm excited to farm specific monsters for Talisman upgrades, experiment with different armor sets, and explore the Artian weapons further. I also look forward to replaying the story with friends and engaging with upcoming event quests and title updates.

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Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

I finished the main story of Monster Hunter Wilds in just under **16 hours**, a shorter runtime than I expected, especially compared to my 25-hour journey into Monster Hunter World. As a relative newcomer to the series, I found the battles surprisingly easygoing, with occasional challenges from apex predators. The streamlined approach, including simplified elemental strengths and weaknesses, tailored loadouts, and tracking, made the game more accessible.

The consistent rhythm of story cutscenes and monster battles until the credits gave the game a more cinematic feel, perhaps at the cost of some traditional Monster Hunter elements. While I appreciated the swift conclusion of the story, I wonder if it sacrifices some of the series' core appeal until the post-game begins.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

It took me about **20 hours** to reach the initial credits in Monster Hunter Wilds, with most of that time dedicated to optional and side quests. I also enjoyed exploring the game's world, hunting down endemic life, and optimizing my gameplay setup.

Completing all High Rank missions and side quests took another **15 hours**, bringing me face-to-face with all post-credit monsters. Since then, I've spent nearly **70 hours** in the postgame, enjoying casual hunts with friends, farming decorations, and pursuing monster crowns. I'm eagerly awaiting future title updates to expand the monster roster.

I saw the first credits of Monster Hunter Wilds after **20 hours**, mostly focusing on the main story with brief 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 those credits the true end. The story feels like an extended tutorial, setting the stage for more hunts, new monsters, and crafting opportunities. While I'm excited about the ongoing adventures, I could do without encountering Congalala again.