It may be a bit of a controversial take, but I feel strongly that Monster Hunter Wilds needs a story. It’s not that I believe every game needs a narrative, even if I admittedly prefer games with strong, emotionally charged stories. Rather, whenever playing a Monster Hunter game, the absence of a good story – beyond the series’ typical vague excuses for venturing out and collecting resources that pass as its narrative – is really felt. It hurts the game, not just because it robs it of an emotional core, but because it makes the experience less memorable.

I’m fully aware that most of the series’ core audience likely disagree, and I can understand why. Putting a story in Monster Hunter would be a huge strain on resources that would ultimately detract from the foundation that has made the Monster Hunter games the incredible series they are today. However, after sinking dozens of hours into the record-breaking Wilds second beta and coming away from it feeling somewhat conflicted, it became very clear that now is absolutely the right time for the series to embrace a strong narrative.

Monster Hunter Wilds Puts A Bigger Focus On Story

It’s Got A Voiced Protagonist

I had heard that Monster Hunter Wilds’ story played a much bigger role in the overall experience, but I struggled to believe it was true. After all, outside the incredible Monster Hunter spin-offs, the stories in this series have always disappointed. However, color me surprised when I booted up the beta, got comfy, and was taken aback as my character – which I spent an inordinate amount of time customizing – began talking. A voiced protagonist in a Monster Hunter game? Maybe pigs really can fly.

I’m being facetious, but it was the first indication that Wilds was breaking my expectations, offering an experience unlike anything I’d had before with the series. It wasn’t just watching as my custom character quietly watched as others talked about and for them, offering little input about the vaguely world-ending conundrums I couldn’t care less about. Then, as the fairly compelling backstory came to a close through a smooth transition – the cutscene direction has gone above and beyond – I was thrust into an exciting set piece that got me even more hyped.

I’m not saying prematurely that Monster Hunter Wilds’ narrative will be groundbreaking. While it has the potential to be great, especially considering just how compelling Monster Hunter’s world can be, there’s every possibility that it ends up being terrible. After all, one of 2024’s best RPGs, Dragon’s Dogma 2, which was also developed by Capcom, teased a good story but ended up under-delivering. However, the fact that Capcom has even bothered to tell a story in Wilds is beyond exciting for someone who has felt like this series desperately needs one for so long.

Monster Hunter Needs A Story

It Contextualizes The Grinding

One of my biggest problems with Monster Hunter is the grinding. Loading into an area just so I can run around for forty minutes, grinding materials that don’t even end up being enough to craft the armor set I want is not particularly enjoyable to me. I’ve spoken to a lot of diehard Monster Hunter fans, and they’ve all told me that I clearly don’t understand it. It is such a fundamental part of the Monster Hunter formula, and is in Wilds too, being an intrinsic part of the gameplay loop that has engrossed fans for so many years.

That loop is definitely more enjoyable when done with friends, but unfortunately, that is not something I have the blessing of. The amazing AI companions in Wilds rectify this issue a bit, but I feel that a story would be an even bigger help in getting me to invest in grinding. A compelling narrative is a very good incentive to get through boring chore-like gameplay – at least it is to me – as it helps contextualize it. I need a good reason to go out and hunt for materials beyond just a cooler-looking armor set with better stats.

I understand the draw of unlocking better gear, especially as Capcom always does an amazing job of designing each armor set in the Monster Hunter games. However, after a dozen hours, it gets tiring working towards the same goal every time, especially when the materials needed for them are such a grind to get. An emotional connection to the forty-minute fight against a giant dragon, much like in the phenomenal Granblue Fantasy: Relink, will get my blood pumping and excited more than another lot of bones and hide.

Monster Hunter Wilds’ Story Will Draw In A New Audience

It’ll Help Make It The Most Popular Entry

I also feel like I’m not alone in thinking that Monster Hunter needs a good story. Wilds is clearly aiming to be the most accessible Monster Hunter yet, and part of that is introducing more features that appeal to a new cohort of players. A good story with well-written characters and a voiced protagonist will absolutely go a long way in drawing in fans of more traditional RPGs. Final Fantasy fans, for example, may not be blown away by Wilds’ narrative, but it at least gives them a gateway from which to enjoy the classic Monster Hunter formula.

Ultimately, with Wilds’ bigger budget and the series’ ever-growing popularity, it makes sense that Capcom has finally decided to invest in a story. It broadens the game’s appeal, brings in new fans, entertains those who have always wanted it, and is skippable for those who don’t care. It won’t tarnish the legacy in a meaningful way, but will likely add to it, fleshing out the fascinating lore that has so far felt a little under-developed. I can’t see how the inclusion of a narrative is a bad thing, and I hope others agree.

What I saw in the beta was enough to convince me that now is the right time for a full-blown narrative in a Monster Hunter game. World dabbled with a more cinematic story, especially with The Witcher 3 crossover, and Rise built upon it further. It has all been laying the groundwork for Wilds to go all in and deliver something truly spectacular. Monster Hunter Wilds’ story doesn’t need to be as deeply emotional or groundbreaking as something like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, I’m just glad it is there in the first place.