Monster Hunter Wilds, released on February 28, 2025, has roared onto the scene as Capcom’s latest triumph, smashing records with over 8 million copies sold in its first three days and peaking at 1.3 million concurrent Steam players. This open-world evolution of the franchise dazzles with its dynamic ecosystems, refined combat, and a visual polish that’s left fans gobsmacked. From the wind-whipped dunes of the Windward Plains to the tangled depths of the Scarlet Forest, it’s a hunter’s paradise—complete with a new feathered friend, the Seikret, a bird-like mount that’s become a staple of traversal. Yet, for all its brilliance, there’s a nagging flaw that’s stuck in my craw after hours of play: the Seikret’s customization options are a pale shadow of what they could’ve been. Compared to the lavish personalization of Monster Hunter Rise’s Palamutes, this feels like a baffling step backward. I get why Capcom might’ve sidelined it, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Let’s rewind to Rise for a moment. When Palamutes debuted in 2021, they weren’t just mounts—they were companions with flair. You could deck them out in armor forged from monster parts, tweak their combat roles with gear that mirrored your own progression, and even slap on quirky cosmetics like samurai helms or floral saddles. They fought alongside you, their claws and blades as customizable as your Great Sword. X posts from back then—like @monsterhunter’s hype reels—showed players reveling in builds that turned these pups into damage-dealing machines or support stars. It wasn’t just about looks; it was about integrating them into the hunt. Fast forward to Wilds, and the Seikret feels like a downgrade. Sure, it’s a sleek, agile bird that glides over cliffs and auto-navigates to objectives, but its customization? A handful of recolors, a few pendants, and some armor sets that don’t even touch the progression loop. It’s cosmetic fluff with no meat on its bones.

Monster Hunter Wilds Doesn’t Have Much For Seikrets

A Disappointing Customization List

The Seikret’s options are laughably thin. After grinding through nearly every quest, I’ve unlocked about four armor sets—two more if you count the paid DLC from the Deluxe Edition. Pendants? Mostly scarf recolors, with maybe four unique designs like the Avian Wind Chime or Dragontorch Wings (also Deluxe perks). You can tweak its feathers’ hue—green to red, blue to yellow—and adjust stripe thickness, but that’s it. No pattern swaps beyond “generic stripes,” no beak or foot edits, no transformative gear. Posts on X, like @BoostToastt’s nod to color changes and naming, confirm it’s unlocked mid-story via Nona in Kunafa, but the depth stops there. Compared to Palico customization in Wilds—where layered armor and fluffy fur options abound—it’s a stark contrast. Even the hunter’s tent gets more love, with swappable chairs and BGM. Why does the Seikret, a constant companion, get the short end of the stick?

Capcom’s reasoning makes some sense if you squint. Seikrets aren’t fighters. Unlike Palamutes, which dove into battle, these birds are pure utility—mounts designed to ferry you across the Forbidden Lands, swap weapons mid-hunt, and glide to safety. They don’t need armor stats or combat roles, so tying them to monster parts might feel forced. Web chatter, like PC Gamer’s customization guide, notes their gear is “purely cosmetic,” freeing them from the grind that defines hunter and Palico progression. Plus, Wilds already overhauled layered armor, ditching material costs for instant style—a win fans on X have cheered (@monsterhunter’s Feb 11 post got major traction). Maybe Capcom figured that with so much customization elsewhere, the Seikret could coast on minimal effort. It’s a clean break from the traditional loop, keeping the focus on hunting, not mount micromanagement.

Gear In Monster Hunter Is Usually More Than Cosmetic

But Who Really Cares About Palico Armor Stats?

But here’s where I part ways with that logic: minimal doesn’t mean barren. Seikrets are everywhere in Wilds. You’re riding them across deserts, leaping off cliffs, and relying on their nose to track quarry. They’re not sidelined NPCs—they’re your lifeline. So why skimp on making them yours? Rise proved mounts could be both functional and expressive. Palamutes had personality baked into their gear, reflecting your journey. Seikrets? They’re stuck with a scarf and a paint job. X users like @TweetingGaruga lament the lack of interaction—petting, playing, or just more armor variety. It’s not about combat utility; it’s about bonding. A hunter’s gear tells a story—why can’t their mount’s? With Capcom touting style as a priority (per their Wilds site), this feels like a missed chance to flex their creative muscle.

The comparison to Palamutes stings because it’s not apples-to-apples. Palamutes were canine warriors; Seikrets are avian taxis. But that’s no excuse for such a shallow pool of options. Look at Wilds’ broader customization strides—unisex armor, a beefed-up Hunter Profile replacing Guild Cards, a photo mode to flaunt your flair. Capcom’s clearly invested in letting players strut their stuff. Yet the Seikret, a literal constant on-screen, gets a fraction of that love. Web sources like GameSpot and Game8 list what’s there—color wheels, pendants from side quests—but it’s a far cry from Rise’s versatility. Deluxe DLC armor hints at future potential, but why lock it behind a paywall when the base game could’ve delivered? It’s a head-scratcher, especially when Wilds is breaking sales records and raking in praise.

Seikret’s Are A Step Back From Rise’s Rideable Palamutes

Palamutes Were Wonderfully Implemented In Rise

Could it be a deliberate pivot? Maybe Capcom wanted to streamline the mount experience, dodging the complexity of Palamute builds. Or perhaps time constraints—Wilds’ scope is massive—left Seikrets undercooked. A March 10 patch fixed a game-breaking bug, but X posts show fans still clamoring for optimization and, yes, more customization. I’d buy the “focus on hunting” argument if the game didn’t already lean so hard into cosmetics elsewhere. Layered armor’s glow-up proves they can innovate without breaking the core loop. Why not extend that to Seikrets? Even non-combat gear could’ve had flair—monster-themed saddles, faction banners, or patterns beyond stripes. It wouldn’t disrupt progression; it’d just make every ride pop.

Fun Seikret Custimization Would Still Be Worthwhile

I Expect It To Arrive Eventually

Don’t get me wrong—Wilds is a banger. The hunts are electric, the world’s alive, and the Seikret’s utility is clutch. Gliding off a dune to swap from Hammer to Bow mid-chase? Chef’s kiss. But every time I tweak its scarf or repaint its feathers, I feel the gap. Palamutes spoiled me with their depth; Seikrets tease me with their potential. Capcom’s got the talent—look at Palico fluffiness or tent vibes. So why half-step here? I suspect updates will flesh it out—Deluxe DLC sets a precedent—but it stings that launch day left this bird under-feathered. For a game that nails so much, this oversight nags like a missed carve. I get the why. I just don’t like it. Here’s hoping the next patch gives my Seikret the wardrobe it deserves—because in the Forbidden Lands, style’s half the hunt.