Monster Hunter Wilds: How Long to Beat? IGN Staff Playtimes Revealed

Monster Hunter Wilds has finally arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This latest installment in Capcom's acclaimed beast-battling series builds upon the success of Monster Hunter World and its Iceborne expansion. But how long will it take to complete? IGN staff share their experiences, detailing main story completion times, post-game activities, and overall playtime.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

Tom completed the main story in just under 15 hours. This marks the end of Low Rank, with High Rank and its numerous side quests and challenges still to come. He spent another 15 hours completing most of these quests and reaching the true endgame, unlocking all systems and crafting options available at launch, including the Artian weapon system. An additional five hours were dedicated to refining his weapon and armor sets, though he acknowledges much more remains to be explored.

Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides

Casey finished the final High Rank story mission at approximately 40 hours, adding 22 hours beyond the initial credits (Low Rank completion). Her playtime includes time spent in menus for guide creation. She prioritized story progression, minimizing grinding and opting for a more streamlined approach. She estimates that a more thorough playthrough, including optimization of armor and weapons, could easily reach 60 hours. She still has numerous side missions, endemic life collection, and further weapon/armor crafting to complete.

Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

Simon finished the main story in just under 16 hours, finding the battles surprisingly easygoing compared to his experience with Monster Hunter World. He attributes this to the game's streamlined mechanics, making it more accessible to newcomers. The consistent story cutscene/monster battle structure, while appreciated for its swift pacing, left him wondering if it sacrificed some of the elements that define the Monster Hunter experience until the post-game.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

Jada reached the initial credits in around 20 hours, including significant time spent exploring, hunting endemic life, customizing menus, and finding optimal camp locations. She completed all High-Rank missions and side quests in an additional 15 hours. Her overall playtime nears 70 hours, encompassing post-game activities like collaborative hunts, decoration farming, and crown hunting.

Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides

Ronny saw the initial credits after approximately 20 hours, focusing primarily on the story with minimal grinding. He experimented with various weapons, extending his playtime. At 65 hours, he considers the initial credits far from the true ending, with numerous hunts, monsters, and crafting options remaining. He views the story as an extended tutorial, setting the stage for the extensive post-game content.

These playtimes highlight the diverse approaches to enjoying Monster Hunter Wilds, from focused story progression to extensive post-game exploration. The game offers something for everyone, regardless of their preferred playstyle.