Set to be one of the most noteworthy launches of 2025, Monster Hunter Wilds marks a significant return for Capcom, especially for home console gamers. While the franchise has seen a steady stream of content recently, it has been some time since a dedicated console version was released. The last major installment, Monster Hunter Rise, debuted in 2021 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, leaving fans eager for a multi-platform successor.Monster Hunter Wilds serves as a true successor to the acclaimed Monster Hunter: World from 2018, fulfilling this long-awaited demand.
Initial reviews for Monster Hunter Wilds have been overwhelmingly positive, with reports surfacing just days prior to its release. Currently, the game boasts an impressive 89/100 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic, complemented by a notable 95% Critics Recommend rating. On Metacritic, the PlayStation 5 version achieves a commendable 90/100 Metascore, positioning Monster Hunter Wilds as the highest-rated game of 2025 thus far. It stands slightly ahead of Warhorse Studios’ Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, showcasing its critical acclaim, although it still falls short of being the pinnacle of the Monster Hunter franchise.
Is Monster Hunter Wilds the Peak of the Series?
The Evolution of the Monster Hunter Series
As Capcom’s long-standing franchise, the Monster Hunter series has successfully captivated audiences for over two decades. The series consists of 17 titles, not including expansions and remakes, most of which are offshoots of the mainline games. Although it gained traction in Japan, early entries struggled to establish a foothold in Western markets, primarily due to mixed reviews. For instance, the original Monster Hunter (2004) garnered a disappointing 68/100 on Metacritic, while Monster Hunter Freedom 2 managed a slightly better 72/100.
The turning point for the franchise occurred with the release of Monster Hunter 3 in 2009, which achieved a respectable 84/100 rating from Western reviewers. Following this, Monster Hunter 4 was initially unavailable in the West; however, its enhanced edition, Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate, received global acclaim upon its 2015 release, achieving a commendable 86/100. Even spinoffs, such as Monster Hunter Generations, held high ratings, further demonstrating the franchise’s upward trajectory.
Comprehensive Review Scores for Monster Hunter Games
| Game Title | Release Year | Metacritic Rating | OpenCritic Rating | OpenCritic % of Critics Recommend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monster Hunter | 2004 | 68/100 | N/A | N/A | |
| Monster Hunter G | 2005 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Japan-only release |
| Monster Hunter Freedom | 2005 | 71/100 | N/A | N/A | Enhanced PSP port |
| Monster Hunter 2 | 2006 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Famitsu score: 37/40, Japan-only |
| Monster Hunter Frontier Online | 2007 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Japan-only MMO, now defunct |
| Monster Hunter Freedom 2 | 2007 | 72/100 | N/A | N/A | Based on Monster Hunter 2 |
| Monster Hunter Freedom Unite | 2008 | 81/100 | N/A | N/A | Expanded edition |
| Monster Hunter 3 | 2009 | 84/100 | N/A | N/A | |
| Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village | 2010 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Japan-only release |
| Monster Hunter Portable 3rd | 2010 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Famitsu score: 39/40, Japan-only |
| Monster Hunter Dynamic Hunting | 2011 | 69/100 | N/A | N/A | Delisted mobile game |
| Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate | 2011 | 82/100 | N/A | N/A | Upgraded edition |
| Monster Hunter 4 | 2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Famitsu score: 38/40, Japan-only |
| Monster Hunter Frontier G | 2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Japan-only update |
| Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate | 2014 | 86/100 | 86/100 | 95% | Expanded edition |
| Monster Hunter Explore | 2015 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Delisted mobile game |
| Monster Hunter Generations | 2015 | 85/100 | 85/100 | 95% | |
| Monster Hunter Stories | 2016 | 79/100 | 79/100 | 68% | |
| Monster Hunter Frontier Z | 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Renamed Frontier Online, Japan-only |
| Monster Hunter Generations: Ultimate | 2017 | 80/100 | 78/100 | 69% | Expanded edition |
| Monster Hunter: World | 2018 | 90/100 | 90/100 | 96% | |
| Monster Hunter World: Iceborne | 2019 | 89/100 | 90/100 | 96% | Expansion pack |
| Monster Hunter Rise | 2021 | 88/100 | 88/100 | 96% | |
| Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin | 2021 | 81/100 | 81/100 | 85% | |
| Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak | 2022 | 86/100 | 86/100 | 93% | Expansion pack |
| Monster Hunter Now | 2023 | 73/100 | N/A | N/A | Mobile game |
| Monster Hunter Wilds | 2025 | 90/100 | 89/100 | 95% |
Why Monster Hunter World Still Reigns Supreme
While titles like Monster Hunter 4 and Monster Hunter Generations showcased the franchise’s growing popularity, it was Monster Hunter: World that truly propelled the series into the global spotlight. Released in January 2018 on the PS4 and Xbox One, this game shattered records with its outstanding 90/100 Top Critic Average and a remarkable 96% Critics Recommend score on OpenCritic, alongside a solid Metacritic average of 90/100. Its expansion, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, trailed closely behind, achieving similar accolades except for a slightly lower Metacritic score of 89/100.
Currently, Monster Hunter: World maintains its status as the most critically acclaimed title in the series, even as Monster Hunter Wilds competes closely in this regard. Although both games share identical Metacritic scores, Wilds falls short by one point on OpenCritic in both Top Critic Average and Critics Recommend categories. In summary, while Monster Hunter Wilds may not yet claim the title of the best entry according to critics, it is undoubtedly poised to be a contender in Game of the Year discussions as 2025 unfolds.
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