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.

During December Monster Hunter Showcase, hunters got an in-depth look at the contents of Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 4, including a look at the towering Gogmazios, the Festival of Accord: Lumenhymn seasonal event, Arch-tempered Jin Dahaad, and more in the trailer for the title’s final major content update arriving December 16. 

Monster Hunter series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto also gave a look at Monster Hunter Wilds updates planned into 2026 with a look at the Steam-specific stability patch planned for January, and what players can expect from Ver. 1.041 in February.

Gogmazios Returns in Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 4

Slumbering beneath the great forge of Azuz, the awakening of the titanic Gogmazios threatens widespread destruction for the inhabitants of the Forbidden Lands. In order to tackle a monster of this scale, groups of up to four Hunters and four Support Hunters are being tasked to form parties of eight capable of slaying this fearsome foe. The permanent Event Quest for Gogmazios can be repeated to acquire materials which can be used to upgrade rarity 8 Artian Weapons into Gogma Artian Weapons. Bonuses from the original Artian Weapon will be carried over to the Gogma Artian Weapon, and one random Set Bonus Skill and one random Group Skill will be granted. The Gogma Reinforce feature allows Hunters to keep or reset the bonuses to activate even more powerful bonuses, and re-roll the Set Bonus Skill and Group Skill by using special material. Hunters with Hunter Rank 100 or above will also gain the “Transcendence” ability at the forge to increase the maximum level of their high rank armor, and even enhance the decoration slots for rarity 5 and 6 pieces.

Hunting for a Challenge

Gogmazios isn’t the only change coming to the Forbidden Lands in Title Update 4, with Arch-tempered Jin Dahaad arriving on December 24 as a permanent Event Quest that rewards Hunters with materials for a powerful Gamma armor set. New Optional Quests also arrive in the update; brave Hunters can test their skills against multiple 9★ monsters to earn special Nameplate rewards. New Hunting Exercises (optional quests) offer a great way to practice fighting against tempered 9★ monsters. In addition to the skilled Nadia joining as a Support Hunter for the Gogmazios quest and seasonal events, other Units on the Expedition into the Forbidden Lands are also looking to lend a hand. The Great Sword wielding Griffin and Light Bowgun specialist Nightmist join the ranks of selectable Support Hunters in Title Update 4.

The Road Beyond Title Update 4

Additionally, Free Character and Palico Edit Voucher will be made available for all players alongside the return of four fan-favorite poses as free DLC, Cosmetic DLC Pack 4 featuring Layered Weapon designs for each weapon type, and other paid DLC items in Title Update 4.

Starting December 19, the Festival of Accord: Lumenhymn arrives with festive décor and meals at the Grand Hub, alongside the ability to earn special equipment, gestures, and decorations.

In January 2026 Monster Hunter Wilds will receive a Steam-specific stability patch, designed to offer additional optimization options, pre-sets, and improvements on top of the stability and optimization updates arriving to all platforms in Title Update 4. Additional details on the stability and performance updates coming to the Steam version can be found on the Monster Hunter Wilds website and Monster Hunter social accounts.

In February 2026 Arch-tempered Arkveld swoops into the Forbidden Lands as the final Arch-tempered monster in Ver. 1.041. This update will also include the release of the winning community designs from the Original Weapon and Pendant Design contests. Hunters can celebrate the March 13 release of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection with a Palico armor modeled after the protagonist’s Palico Rudy and a special pendant. The update will also introduce a new Latin American Spanish voice option to the game, on top of additional stability updates for the Steam version of Monster Hunter Wilds. Stay tuned for an update on what to expect from Ver. 1.041 prior to its release in February next year.

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 available for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).