In the games, players hunt larger-than-life foes across expansive natural environments. Each monster poses a unique challenge, so players must plan carefully, form hunting parties with friends, and utilize everything at their disposal to survive these thrilling set-piece quests. As a reward for overcoming their quarry, hunters can harvest the remains to craft equipment and upgrade their customizable arsenal for the challenges ahead.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, players join the ranks of a special Research Commission team investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the Monster Hunter series, the hunter ventures into the unknown with their companions, including Guild-appointed handler Alma, their Palico partner, and a mysterious child. Monster Hunter Wilds features multi-dimensional biomes that can transform in unexpected ways. The first locale to be unveiled is the Windward Plains, a vast region encompassing harsh deserts, twisted rock formations, and swaying grasslands abound with life.

These immersive ecosystems are populated with wildlife acclimated to their surroundings, including smaller monsters like Dalthydon, an herbivorous wyvern that migrates seasonally, and Ceratonoth, who rely on males to shield the herd from raging storms with well-developed dorsal horns that serve as lightning rods. Of course, large monsters also roam the Windward Plains, including Doshaguma. While massive and territorial, these fanged beasts are curiously sometimes sighted stalking the plains in aggressive packs. Meanwhile, the formidable amphibian Chatacabra uses its surroundings and adhesive saliva to become an even stronger adversary by armoring its body with natural materials like ore.

Monster Hunter Wilds producer Ryozo Tsujimoto unveiled the latest trailer for the highly anticipated action RPG as well as details on an upcoming Open Beta Test during Capcom’s October Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase.

The fiery new footage revealed the captivating surroundings and inhabitants of the new Oilwell Basin ecosystem, including the mysterious monster known as the “Black Flame,” even more new monsters living within the region, and the local craftsman village Azuz. Tsujimoto followed these new game details with the announcement of an Open Beta Test taking place next week across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The Open Beta Test will run October 31 – November 3 Pacific Time (PT), and PlayStation Plus subscribers can get a head start on PS5 with an exclusive early access period starting on October 28 PT.

Ready to Combust

The Oilwell Basin is a dangerous territory defined by the bubbling oil wells for which it is named. This terrain is known to erupt into raging flames during a period of Inclemency known as the Firespring. The newly revealed Brute Wyvern Rompopolo prowls within areas blanketed in a deep oil silt. This fearsome predator expels a toxic gas from its tongue to weaken its prey before using its tail to inject gas into the tar blanketing the ground causing bubbling eruptions. Rompopolo often finds itself battling for territory against roaming Ajarakan, another previously unseen monster that calls this region home. This red-hot Fanged Beast rubs its thick shell to cover itself in a sweltering armor. Amidst this incredibly harsh, ever-changing environment, the skilled craftsman village of Azuz grew around a massive central forge. While the local artisans and fearsome wildlife struggle to survive, a mysterious monster known to locals as the “Black Flame” lurks deep beneath the basin.

Play the Open Beta

Following the exciting new trailer, Tsujimoto revealed that eager hunters can soon experience Monster Hunter Wilds at home for the first time by participating in an Open Beta Test across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam with cross-play supported between all platforms. Participants will also receive a special bonus Pendant to decorate their weapons or Seikret mount alongside a helpful item pack in the full release of Monster Hunter Wilds. The Open Beta Test will include three separate experiences: the complete character creation tool with character creation data that will be transferable to the full game upon release, a Story Trial, and the free-roaming Doshaguma Hunt. In the Story Trial, players can experience the opening cutscene of the game along with basic tutorials while hunting a Chatacabra, while in the Doshaguma Hunt, players can pursue the Alpha of a Doshaguma pack or explore the Windward Plains. Both the Story Trial and Doshaguma Hunt can be experienced solo, or players can use an SOS flare to create a party of up to four players online or call in assistance from NPC Support Hunters.

The Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Test will take place at the following times for each platform:

• PlayStation 5
  • PlayStation Plus Early Access: October 28 at 8:00pm PT – October 30 at 7:59pm PT
  • Non-PlayStation Plus Subscribers: October 31 at 8:00pm PT – November 3 at 6:59pm PT*
• Xbox Series X|S**: October 31 at 8:00pm PT – November 3 at 6:59pm PT*
• Steam: October 31 at 8:00pm PT – November 3 at 6:59pm PT*

*Time Adjusted for Daylight Savings Time
**Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription not required for OBT access

To help hunters meet the challenges that await in Monster Hunter Wilds, the beloved gameplay of the series has evolved with an arsenal of new features. Players will experience a seamless flow from story sequences to gameplay without interruption. To traverse this world’s sprawling environments, the game introduces Seikrets, a new type of mount. These nimble creatures can guide their riders to destinations and allow hunters to perform actions on the go, such as sharpening weapons, gathering materials, and wielding the slinger. Hunters can also swap to a secondary weapon with their Seikret, empowering hunting parties to adapt to the changing conditions out in the field without returning to base.

All 14 of the series’ iconic weapon types return in Monster Hunter Wilds and have now evolved to include new actions. Additionally, the game introduces brand-new systems, such as Focus Mode, giving hunters more precise control over aiming, guarding, and attacking monsters’ weak points. The new Hook Slinger also offers hunters additional abilities, including contextual actions and the power to collect items from a distance – even when mounted atop their Seikret.

Monster Hunter Wilds players who link their Monster Hunter: World save data can receive special bonus items. This includes the Felyne Leather Set (Palico Armor) and Felyne Acorn Spade (Palico Weapon) for linking Monster Hunter: World base game save data, and Felyne Duffel Set (Palico Armor) and Felyne Trekker Peckaxe (Palico Weapon) for linking save data from the title’s massive expansion Monster Hunter World: Iceborne.

Capcom also revealed special bonus items that players returning from Monster Hunter: World can obtain when Monster Hunter Wilds launches.

Monster Hunter Wilds is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam) on February 28, 2025.