Monster Hunter Wilds has stirred up some conversation among fans due to its approach to cosmetic microtransactions, with some suggesting it discourages players from exploring creative character designs. However, despite the mixed opinions, the overall player backlash has remained relatively mild. This might be attributed to the fact that Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t breaking new ground within the series when it comes to these types of paid content.
The game made its worldwide debut on February 28 at midnight EST. Notably, the review embargo was lifted four days before the launch, with critics showering praise on the game. It even earned a “Mighty” status on OpenCritic, sporting an impressive average score of 89 and a 95% recommendation rate. Interestingly, the version sent out for reviews was free of microtransactions, but that changed with the official release, which introduced a myriad of such options.
Among these microtransactions, the ones drawing attention involve the DLC packs, which are not merely cosmetic. They also embed a financial cost into revisiting some game mechanics. Capcom’s model for character and Palico modifications relies on vouchers. Currently, these vouchers are sold in sets of three for $6.99, with each type serving a distinct purpose—Palico vouchers can’t be applied to characters, and vice versa. Initially, players receive one free voucher for each category, but any further adjustments require delving into one’s wallet.
There is a silver lining, though. Capcom allows some character and Palico modifications without purchasing additional vouchers. Players can make basic tweaks, like changing hair color or clothing, using the Appearance menu in the game. However, if you want to revisit more original choices from the character creator, you’ll need to use a voucher. Recognizing the concern over costs, Capcom offers a bundle for both voucher packs at $9.99, providing a 28% savings compared to buying them individually. Despite this, some fans have expressed displeasure over the need to pay for gameplay features behind a voucher system.
Looking back, Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise shared a similar voucher-based editing method. This ongoing practice could be why the current fan base hasn’t reacted too harshly; they’ve likely grown accustomed to these mechanics. On Steam, Monster Hunter Wilds holds a “Mixed” review status based on over 14,000 user ratings. While some criticism targets its plethora of DLC, these critiques are still relatively rare. Instead, performance issues on PC seem to be a more frequent point of contention among players. Conversely, the console versions of the game have been better received, boasting ratings of 4.6 and 4.7 stars on PlayStation and Xbox Stores, respectively.
Despite these discussions surrounding microtransactions and performance issues, Monster Hunter Wilds has still managed to capture the attention of a massive audience. The PC version is currently a top seller on Steam, with launch day seeing over 1.3 million players concurrently exploring the game. By hitting this milestone, Monster Hunter Wilds cements its place as one of the most popular games ever on the platform.
