The highly anticipated Monster Hunter Wilds has arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, marking the latest installment in Capcom's legendary action franchise. Building upon the legacy of Monster Hunter World and its Iceborne expansion, this new adventure promises epic battles against formidable creatures. But how long does the journey take? Below, our IGN team shares their playthrough durations for completing the main story, their gameplay priorities, and post-campaign explorations.
Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games
I completed Monster Hunter Wilds' campaign in just under 15 hours, reaching the true ending unlike Rise's misleading mid-game credits sequence. However, conquering the story only concludes Low Rank, with High Rank introducing more challenging quests and systems. Another 15 hours later, I'd nearly cleared all post-game content, unlocking every monster and mastering the Artian weapon customization. Wilds' refined progression let me optimize my preferred gear in just five additional hours, though experimentation with other weapon types remains tempting.
Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides
My High Rank story finale clocked in at 40 hours, about 22 hours post-Low Rank credits. Menu time for guide research slightly skews this estimate. During early gameplay, I prioritized story progression over gear optimization - crafting basic equipment and avoiding repetitive hunts. High Rank demanded more monster hunts with friends to unlock story missions naturally. Though I only upgraded my weapon once deliberately, I'd have invested 60 hours given more time to perfect my loadout.
Post-credits, I'm still discovering endemic life, tackling six remaining hunting quests, and preparing for upcoming event quests and title updates. Replaying missions with friends while mastering new weapons promises even more enjoyment.
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Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer
Completing Wilds' main story in under 16 hours surprised me - World's campaign still had me hooked at 25 hours without conclusion. As a series newcomer, I appreciated the streamlined systems and tempered difficulty, though apex predators provided thrilling challenges. The story's cinematic pacing differs from traditional Monster Hunter structure, potentially sacrificing some franchise staples for accessibility. While I enjoyed this approach, veterans might miss deeper mechanics until post-game content.
Jada Griffin - Community Lead
My initial 20-hour journey to credits included thorough exploration and side activities - discovering hidden camps, customizing interface elements, and collecting endemic creatures. Completing High Rank took another 15 hours, bringing my total to 70 hours of monster hunting, decoration farming, and crown hunting with friends. Future title updates with new monsters will certainly extend this already impressive playtime.
Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides
I achieved the first credits in 20 hours, focusing mainly on story while experimenting with weapons (particularly the stellar Switch Axe). Now at 65 hours, I consider the campaign an extended tutorial preceding the true Monster Hunter experience - endless monsters to hunt and gear to craft. Though I'll gladly skip any future encounters with Congalala.
