The Monster Hunter series has been around for a long time, with the popular entry Monster Hunter: World debuting on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One early in 2018. In August of that year, a PC port was also released, along with several changes both major and minor.
The PC edition changes very little about the gameplay – you'll still be hunting the same gigantic monsters in the same locale using the same loadouts. Most changes occurred between the console and PC versions in the graphics, controls, and user interface, though there are some drawbacks to the Windows version.
7 Mouse Controls Are Usable But Intolerable
Monster Hunter: World on PC is generally seen as superior to the console versions, with a few caveats. The PC version works with mouse controls, but unless you plan to learn how to play a keyboard like a piano, they are much harder to use than a controller.
Monster Hunter: World's mouse controls are terrible for most of the game, with ranged weapons being the exception. Being able to aim with a mouse is far, far better than aiming with a controller, although it does mean having to put up with other keyboard inputs too.
6 The Game Received Many Graphics Options...
Typical for most PC games that first released on consoles, Monster Hunter: World comes with a suite of graphics options to tailor the game to any gaming rig. Whereas the console versions are extremely limited in graphical customization, there are dozens of different settings from major overhauls to minor improvements in the PC version.
If the game were to run on the highest performing PC available versus the highest performing console, the former will always look a little bit better than the latter. However, it's a completely different story for low-to-medium-end PC players.
5 ...Which Only Powerful PCs Can Take Advantage Of
The graphics settings in the PC version of Monster Hunter: World are vast, but the game is poorly optimized for PC play in general. The game was criticized for this heavily upon its PC release, as only high-end computers are able to run the game at a consistently high FPS on medium-high settings.
The game comes with a few shader options, including a tool that will sharpen the image if it is below full resolution, which can help refine the image for a low-to-mid-range setup. It's a shame, though, as Capcom's follow-up, Monster Hunter Rise, looks consistently beautiful on the Nintendo Switch, which is arguably the least powerful mainstream console.
4 Mods Are Easy To Install On PC
One thing that PC games will always have over console games is the modding capability. Modding a console game is not impossible, but it requires expertise and can rarely completely ruin a console if system changes are made. Modding on PC, though, is a widely supported activity throughout most gaming communities, including Monster Hunter: World.
Mods for the PC version of the game range from performance boosters to graphical replacements to changing how integral systems work. For players going through the game on a new run, there's no better way to maintain the original feel of Monster Hunter World while adding new facets that keep it fresh.
3 The PC Playerbase Is Higher In 2021
While the console playerbase for Monster Hunter: World was initially higher by virtue of the game being released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One at the same time, the PC playercount could very well be the strongest in 2021. This is in part due to the capabilities of the PC port, with mods being especially great at extending a game's lifespan. On Steam, Monster Hunter: World is still doing good numbers. On the PS4, Monster Hunter: World's playerbase has shrunk quite a bit.
There is also the case of Monster HunterRise. While currently a Nintendo Switch exclusive, PC players will be able to get the game in 2022. The anticipation of the game's eventual release on PC has fans of the series returning to Monster Hunter: World; consequently, the servers are still maintained and heavily populated.
2 The PC Version Has Fewer Exclusive DLCs
In terms of addon content for the game, the PC version of Monster Hunter: World is slightly lacking compared to the PlayStation 4. The PlayStation 4 version allows the player to take on a quest that rewards armor resembling the hero of Horizon Zero Dawn, Aloy, alongside a variety of other exclusive quests and appearances.
The PC and Xbox versions of Monster Hunter: World probably have fewer exclusive DLC options because of the popularity of the PlayStation brand among the franchise's top audiences across Asia. The series is popular in the West nowadays, but it has its roots in Japan and Eastern markets that have deeper ties to the PlayStation system.
1 Online Play Is Free On PC
While one must pay for Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus to be able to join other players online in the console version of the game, PC players can just use their direct WiFi connection. Aside from saving money every month, the direct connection is generally more stable than going through PSN or Xbox Live.
While the quality of service depends greatly on someone's own internet capabilities, Xbox Live and PSN still rely on home WiFi, just like a PC. If having low latency and playing with friends online is important for someone, the PC version should provide a more reliable connection.