Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in Capcom's renowned action series, is finally here, available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Following the success of Monster Hunter World and its expansive Iceborne DLC, Wilds continues the tradition of intense beast-battling adventures. But how long does it take to conquer this new world? Let's dive into the experiences of the IGN team to find out exactly how many hours it took them to complete the main story, what they prioritized, and how much time they've dedicated to the postgame.
Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games
It took me just under **15 hours** to reach the credits in Monster Hunter Wilds' campaign. Unlike Monster Hunter Rise, where the first credit roll marks only the midpoint of the story, Wilds' credits signify the end of the Low Rank section. However, the journey doesn't end there; High Rank awaits with numerous side quests and tougher challenges. I spent an additional **15 hours** completing nearly all of these quests, reaching what I consider the true endgame. By this point, I had encountered all available monsters, unlocked all initial crafting systems, and delved into the custom Artian weapon system. Thanks to Wilds' streamlined progression, it took just another five hours to optimize my preferred weapons and armor set, though there's always more to achieve with other weapon types.
Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides
I completed the final "story" mission in High Rank at around **40 hours**, approximately **22 hours after the Low Rank credits**. It's challenging to provide an exact figure due to time spent idling in menus for guide creation. During the Low Rank phase, I didn't deeply engage with the game's complex systems, crafting gear as I went without repeating hunts. In High Rank, I ventured off the story path to hunt new optional monsters and engage in multiplayer hunts, which are necessary to unlock further story missions. I only upgraded my weapon once specifically, focusing on reaching the endgame quickly. Had I taken my time to craft a more efficient set, I might have reached 60 hours. Now, I'm looking forward to more activities like catching endemic life, fishing, and completing the remaining six monster-hunting side missions. I also plan to farm monsters for Talisman upgrades, experiment with different armor, and explore the RNG of Artian weapons. Plus, there are upcoming event quests and title updates with new monsters to keep me engaged.
Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer
I finished Monster Hunter Wilds' main story in **just under 16 hours**, a pace that surprised me compared to my 25-hour journey into World's campaign without reaching the end. As a relative newcomer to the series, I found many battles quite manageable, though the apex predators posed some challenge. The game's streamlined approach, with less emphasis on elemental weaknesses, loadout customization, and extensive tracking, certainly contributed to this shorter runtime. The consistent flow of story cutscenes and monster battles until the credits felt less like traditional Monster Hunter and more influenced by Western cinematic storytelling. While I appreciated the quicker narrative closure, I wonder if this approach sacrifices some of the series' signature depth until the post-game begins.
Jada Griffin - Community Lead
It took me about **20 hours** to reach the initial credits in Monster Hunter Wilds. I spent most of this time on optional and side quests, with some time dedicated to exploring the game's world, hunting endemic life, and optimizing my gameplay setup. It took me another **15 hours** to complete all High Rank missions and side quests, encountering all the post-credit monsters. Overall, I've logged nearly **70 hours** in the post-credits phase, enjoying activities like hunting with friends, farming decorations, and pursuing monster crowns. I'm eagerly awaiting future title updates that will introduce more monsters to the game.
Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides
I hit the first credits in Monster Hunter Wilds after about **20 hours**. My approach was to mostly follow the story, with occasional detours to craft appealing armor sets and experiment with different weapons, particularly the Switch Axe. Currently, I'm at **65 hours** and don't consider the credits the true end; there's so much more to explore and hunt. The story feels like an extended tutorial, setting the stage for the real adventure. I'm excited about the new monsters and crafting opportunities ahead, though I could do without encountering Congalala again.
