Monster Hunter: World introduces a living, breathing ecosystem in which players take on the role of a hunter that seeks and slays ferocious beasts in heart-pounding battles that unfold across the vast ever-changing terrain. Venture on quests alone or with up to three hunters in a newly designed online drop-in multiplayer system which allows cross-region cooperative play between Japan and the west, uniting the player base for the first time ever.

Retaining the series’ skill based progression and robust crafting system, players gear up to venture on quests to seek and slay monsters, progressively improving their skills to become the ultimate hunter. Loot collected from fallen foes can be used to create new equipment and armor upgrades styled after the monsters they’ve slain, allowing hunters to survive the elements and defeat the tougher opponents that await them.

Monster Hunter: World delivers a seamless gameplay experience allowing players to move freely across map areas that comprise the living ecosystems and dynamically transition from day to night. The landscape and its diverse inhabitants play a critical role in each quest as players strategically use the surrounding environment including terrain, vegetation and wildlife to their advantage in battle or become hindered by the hazards they present. Hunters must use their cunning and abilities to track and maneuver their targets throughout the intense, evolving battles.

Capcom confirmed details about upcoming beta sessions, which offer four quest options for players to try at home.

The Monster Hunter World: Iceborne PS4 beta will be available for all PS4 users from 12:01am PDT on Friday, August 30 through 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, September 1. Following that, a beta for Xbox One will be available from 12:01am PDT on Monday, September 2 through 11:59pm PDT on Wednesday, September 4. Preload options will be available starting August 28 before each beta period begins. The Monster Hunter: World base game is not required to participate in the Iceborne beta sessions.

These pre-launch beta sessions for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne are cooler than ever with the addition of a frosty new challenge. Alongside the previously available Great Jagras (Beginner), Banbaro (Intermediate) and Tigrex (Expert) quests, players will be able to battle against the game’s mythical flagship monster Velkhana for the first time. Watch out though, this Elder Dragon’s icy breath is dangerous and offers a bone-chilling fight for even the fiercest of hunters.

Similar to previous beta sessions, hunters can test out all 14 weapon types in any of the four quests and the training area. The weapons include the new Iceborne features, plus the new Slinger tool options such as the Clutch Claw grapple mechanic.

Upon completing each quest for the first time, hunters can earn a total of four special commendation packs containing helpful consumable items that will be available to use in the full version of the Iceborne expansion when it releases. So, pack those Hot Drinks and join a hunting party to clear these quests!

Happy hunting!

With flexible online multiplayer options and an accessible quest structure, players can tackle challenges alone or join up to three other hunters online for cooperative play. For the first time in the Monster Hunter series, players from Japan and the west can play together online, providing an expanded base of cooperative hunting companions. With the new online drop-in functionality, solo players can hail for assistance from the worldwide group during quests when their opponents are too daunting to take on single-handedly.

Monster Hunter: World is currently available for PS4, Xbox One and PC with the Iceborne expansion scheduled for September 6, 2019 on PS4 and Xbox One, a PC release to follow in January 2020.