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: Ascendance, the massive expansion for Monster Hunter Wilds™, was announced today at Summer Game Fest. The upcoming expansion for the action RPG launches worldwide in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The reveal delivered a first look at the content-rich expansion, showcasing new and returning monsters, refined gameplay mechanics, a new high-altitude locale, and more.

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance advances the story of the Forbidden Lands as the Expedition Team’s adventure soars to a new locale set amongst the clouds. In the expansion, hunters will explore islands in the sky and wield explosive new abilities that evolve the gameplay and take the hunting action to new heights. The challenge will also rise to a whole new level with the return of Elder Dragons and Master Rank content.

Hunters can sharpen their weapons for the quests ahead by picking up the base game today, which is currently on sale for up to 58% off.

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance director Takuro Hiraoka and producer Ryozo Tsujimoto shared details about the massive expansion, which also included the announcement that Monster Hunter Wilds is now in development for Nintendo Switch 2.

More information regarding the release of Monster Hunter Wilds on Nintendo Switch 2 will be shared in the future.

During the developers’ video, director Takuro Hiraoka and producer Ryozo Tsujimoto took a deeper dive into elements shown in the Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance announce trailer that debuted earlier today, including:

• New Locale – The expansion introduces the Skybound Eyrie, where floating ruin-adorned islands are suspended above the Forbidden Lands. The new terrain provides fun ways to travel atop Seikret mounts, gliding between the floating isles.
• Boost Bracer –Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance adds new actions for each of the 14 weapon types via the Boost Bracer. This fresh piece of equipment in hunters’ arsenals introduces exhilarating new attacks, combos, and mobility options to give hunters more versatile options while tackling tougher challenges.
• Master Rank – The expansion will feature a wealth of content for newcomers and veterans alike, with even more profound challenges awaiting hunters as they seek to unravel the mystery surrounding the sudden appearance of Elder Dragons in the Forbidden Lands. The story for Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance can be accessed after hunters complete the 7★ Quest “Awaking from a Dream.”
• New Monsters – The trailer showcased a new monster pack displaying devastating aerial coordination and gave a glimpse of returning fan-favorite Elder Dragons including  Kushala Daora. Please stay tuned for more information on the new challenges that await in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance.

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is planned for release in 2027.

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), coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in the near future.