Highlights

  • Monster Hunter Wilds is expected to incorporate Dragon's Dogma's climbing mechanic for more dynamic gameplay in a chaotic world.
  • Climbing monsters can shift Monster Hunter Wilds' resource economy, allowing for targeting specific parts without the need to kill or capture.
  • The upcoming release seems to be fully open-world, hinting at a new direction for the series with players interacting with creatures freely.

Regardless of how players feel about the game's inclusion of microtransactions, the fact remains that Dragon's Dogma 2 is going down as one of the most talked-about releases of 2024 and proving to be every bit the cult classic that its predecessor was. Capcom continues to exhibit a seemingly unstoppable hot streak in the wake of Dragon's Dogma 2's success, and the publisher is gearing up for an even bigger 2025 with the upcoming release of Monster Hunter Wilds. This is the perfect timing, then, for the latest entry in the long-running Monster Hunter series to borrow one of the most important combat mechanics from the Dragon's Dogma franchise.

Capcom fans have always been quick to point out the obvious similarities between Monster Hunter and Dragon's Dogma as both essentially frame their gameplay loops around the hunting and slaying of giant creatures roaming semi-open environments. Where the two series differ, though, is in the ability for players to interact directly with those monsters during combat. Monster Hunter Rise introduced Wyvern Riding through the use of the Wirebug, and now it's time for Monster Hunter Wilds to take the logical leap of including Dragon's Dogma's monster climbing and targeting of weak points.

Meowscular Chef and assistant from Monster Hunter World over a shot from the Monster Hunter Wilds trailer
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Dragon's Dogma's Climbing is a Perfect Fit for Monster Hunter Wilds' Chaotic Framework

While there hasn't been much information to go on regarding Monster Hunter Wilds, the game's reveal trailer and official website do at least shed some light on the nature of the title. Monster Hunter Wilds will be the next evolution in the Monster Hunter franchise, taking the foundation of Monster Hunter World and building on it in significant ways, specifically with how players go about tracking and either capturing or killing monsters.

The name Wilds indicates that the very nature of the game's world is intended to be chaotic and unpredictable, which seems to incorporate dynamic weather events and other new wrinkles to keep players on their toes.

Stamina management and methodical encounter design are cornerstones of both Monster Hunter and Dragon's Dogma's combat, and the addition of a climbing mechanic to Monster Hunter Wilds would effectively serve as the next logical evolution from Monster Hunter Rise's Wyvern Riding. If players are constantly on their toes and coming face-to-face with the prey of their hunts in a dynamic, open-world setting, being able to climb and then mount monsters would add the same kind of unpredictability that it does to Dragon's Dogma 2, embracing the next Monster Hunter's emphasis on the untamed wild (whether that be nature or beast).

Monster Hunter Wilds' Incorporation of Climbing Could Shift the Game's Resource Economy

In addition to embracing the game's title and emphasis on chaotic hunts, the incorporation of Dragon's Dogma's monster climbing in Monster Hunter Wilds could potentially transform the core gameplay loop and in-game economy. The Monster Hunter series is predicated upon the act of slaying or capturing monsters, collecting their parts, and then using those parts to craft stronger equipment that allows the player to take on more challenging hunts. Being able to climb monsters and target specific parts for resources could negate the need to capture or kill monsters and instead allow players to interact with creatures on a freeform basis.

There's also a strong possibility of Monster Hunter Wilds being a fully open-world game. If so, it would make sense for players to forego the need for a hub area from which to take on hunts. With a name like Wilds, there at least seems to be an indication that nowhere in the game's world will be truly safe from encountering monsters. Implementing Dragon's Dogma's key mechanic could push the series in an exciting new direction, with players climbing monsters, targeting specific body parts, and then being free to walk away with the spoils and take on new challenges at their discretion.