Monster Hunter Wilds: Duration Revealed

The highly anticipated Monster Hunter Wilds has finally arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, continuing the legacy of Capcom's renowned beast-battling action series. Following the monumental success of Monster Hunter World and its expansive Iceborne expansion, fans are eager to dive into the new adventure. But just how long will it take to complete? Here, we provide detailed insights from various members of the IGN team on the time it took to finish the main story, their gameplay priorities, and their experiences with the postgame.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

It took me just under **15 hours** to reach the credits in Monster Hunter Wilds' campaign. This marks the actual end of the story, unlike Monster Hunter Rise, where the first credit roll comes at the halfway point. However, completing the campaign signifies the end of Low Rank, with High Rank offering numerous side quests and more challenging encounters awaiting players.

I spent **another 15 hours** tackling these quests to reach what I consider the true endgame. By this point, I had fought all available monsters, unlocked all initial crafting systems, and explored the custom Artian weapon system, designed to keep players engaged. Thanks to Wilds' streamlined progression, it took just **five more hours** to optimize my preferred weapons and armor set, though there's still much more to explore with other weapon types.

Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides

I completed the final "story" mission in High Rank around **40 hours** into the game, **22 hours after seeing the credits for the Low Rank campaign**. My timekeeping might not be precise due to idle time spent in menus for guide-related purposes. During the Low Rank portion, I didn't delve into the game's intricate systems, opting instead to craft gear with available resources and move forward without repeating hunts. In High Rank, I shifted focus to optional monsters and multiplayer hunts, which are necessary to unlock further Story Missions.

I only upgraded my weapon once specifically for the final mission, hunting an extra Ajarakan. Had I indulged in more comprehensive gear optimization, my playtime would have likely reached closer to **60 hours**. Post-campaign, I still have tasks like catching endemic life, fishing, and completing six monster-hunting Side Missions left to do. I'm excited about farming specific monsters for Talisman upgrades, experimenting with different armor sets, and exploring the RNG-based Artian weapons. I plan to replay the story with friends, learning new weapons, and eagerly await the upcoming event quests and title updates introducing new monsters.

Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

Completing the main story of Monster Hunter Wilds took me **just under 16 hours**, a surprisingly swift journey compared to my 25-hour experience with Monster Hunter World. As a relative newcomer to the series, I found the battles more approachable, though the apex predators did pose a challenge. The game's streamlined approach for newcomers, with less emphasis on extensive tracking and crafting tailored loadouts, certainly influenced the runtime.

The constant flow of story cutscenes and monster battles up to the credits gave it a more cinematic feel, perhaps at the expense of the traditional Monster Hunter experience. While I appreciated reaching the story's conclusion quickly, I wonder if some of the series' core elements are reserved for the post-game, which I'm eager to explore further.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

It took me around **20 hours** to reach the initial credits in Monster Hunter Wilds, with a significant portion spent on optional and side quests. I also enjoyed exploring the game's world, hunting endemic life, customizing menus, and finding optimal camp locations. Completing all High-rank missions and side quests took me **15 hours**, allowing me to encounter all post-credit monsters.

Since then, I've logged nearly **70 hours** in the post-credits, engaging in casual monster hunts with friends, farming decorations, and pursuing monster crowns for the largest and smallest versions of each monster. I'm looking forward to future title updates that will bring new monsters to the roster, further enhancing my experience.

Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides

I reached the first credits in Monster Hunter Wilds after about **20 hours**, primarily focusing on the main story with occasional detours to craft appealing armor sets. Experimenting with various weapons, particularly the Switch Axe, added to my playtime. Currently, I'm at **65 hours** and consider the credits more of a story turning point than an ending.

There's still much to explore, with new monsters to encounter and unique gear to craft. The story feels like an extended tutorial, which suits me fine, as it leads into more monster hunting adventures—except for encounters with Congalala, which I'd happily avoid.