How Long Is Monster Hunter Wilds?

It's finally here! Monster Hunter Wilds has arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This latest entry in Capcom's acclaimed beast-battling series follows in the massive footsteps of Monster Hunter World and its expansive Iceborne expansion. But just how long will it take to conquer? We asked members of the IGN team to share their playtime, priorities, and post-game experiences.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

I finished Monster Hunter Wilds’ main story in just under 15 hours. Unlike Monster Hunter Rise, this is the actual story conclusion, not a mid-point. However, completing the campaign only ends Low Rank. High Rank awaits, packed with side quests and tougher challenges. It took me another 15 hours to complete nearly all of those quests and reach what I consider the true endgame. This involved battling every monster, unlocking all crafting systems, and mastering the new Artian weapon system. Thanks to Wilds’ streamlined grind, I only needed an additional five hours to obtain my desired weapon and armor sets, although plenty more awaits for those seeking perfection across different weapon types.

I completed the final High Rank story mission in approximately 40 hours, roughly 22 hours after finishing Low Rank. Accuracy is tricky, as I spent time idling in menus for guide creation. I didn't delve deeply into Monster Hunter Wilds’ systems during Low Rank, crafting what I could and moving on. My High Rank approach was similar, though I diverted from story missions to hunt optional monsters with friends (essential for unlocking story missions). I only upgraded my weapon once, specifically hunting an Ajarakan. A more thorough approach would likely have added 20 hours, allowing for optimized armor and weapon sets.

I still have endemic life to collect, six side missions, and at least one more optional quest to unlock. Beyond that, I plan to farm for Talisman upgrades, craft different armor, experiment with Artian weapons, and replay the story with friends while mastering new weapons. Future title updates and event quests further extend the gameplay.

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Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

I finished Monster Hunter Wilds’ main story in just under 16 hours, a surprising runtime compared to my World experience (25 hours without seeing the end). As a relative newcomer to the series, I found many battles surprisingly easy. While I fainted a few times against apex predators, the overall experience felt breezy. Streamlined mechanics, including scaled-back elemental weaknesses, crafting, and tracking, contributed to this.

The consistent story cutscene/monster battle pacing, while appreciated for its swift conclusion, might leave some core Monster Hunter elements feeling underdeveloped until the post-game.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

Reaching the initial credits took me about 20 hours, including optional and side quests. I also spent time exploring, hunting endemic life, customizing menus, and finding optimal camp locations. Completing all High Rank missions and side quests took another 15 hours. My 70+ hours of post-game playtime included hunting with friends, decoration farming, and hunting for monster crowns. I’m eagerly awaiting future title updates adding new monsters.

I saw the first credits after about 20 hours, primarily focusing on the story with occasional armor set grinding. Experimenting with various weapons (Switch Axe is awesome!) added to the playtime. My current playtime sits at 65 hours, highlighting that the initial credits aren't the true ending. The story serves as an extended tutorial, leading into extensive post-game hunting and crafting. (Except for Congalala—never again!)