Monster Hunter Can Play Like Dark Souls or Devil May Cry, Depending on Your Weapon

For newcomers to Monster Hunter, the sudden success of Monster Hunter Wilds might seem like it came out of nowhere. But Capcom has been meticulously refining its massively successful Monster Hunter series for global dominance for years, and the result is what promises to be one of the best-selling games in the franchise.

With over a million concurrent players on Steam, it's clear that everyone is diving into Monster Hunter Wilds. If you're feeling like an outsider looking in, unsure of how or where to start, I have a secret to maximizing your Monster Hunter enjoyment with one simple trick—finding the weapon that best suits your playstyle.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, players are immediately presented with an almost overwhelming array of weapons, each boasting its own unique playstyle. You can choose from heavy, brutish weapons like the Great Sword, something more nimble like the Dual Blades, or even ranged options like the Bowgun.

Indeed, compared to previous Monster Hunter titles, Wilds adjusts the combat to align more closely with modern action games. While you still need to sheathe your weapon to heal, combat feels more intuitive for those accustomed to recent action RPGs. The key difference—and why choosing a weapon that suits your playstyle is crucial—is that unlike other action RPGs, which allow players to customize their approach through skill trees, in Monster Hunter, everything hinges on your weapon choice.

The decision you make at the outset defines your entire experience. If you prefer something super fast and combo-heavy, making you feel like Dante from Devil May Cry has been transported into the Monster Hunter universe, then the Dual Blades are perfect. They rely on fast attacks, quick dodges, and building up a meter that, when full, can unleash a rapid combo on downed enemies.

Ranged weapons like the Bowguns are also incredibly powerful. If you opt for these, remember to pack enough ammo and ensure you're using the best ones for the particular monster you're fighting.

With 14 weapons to choose from, each with unique abilities and characteristics, they're effectively divided into three main types—heavy, which deal massive damage at the cost of speed; light, which focus on rapid attacks; and technical, which require more nuanced play. However, there are also weapons that blend these archetypes—the Gunlance offers ranged capabilities, the Charge Blade can transform into a large axe or a smaller blade with a button press, and the Insect Glaive and Hunting Horn can be used to gain unique buffs with the right combos.

Don't get overwhelmed by the choices. Take advantage of the game's tutorial to try out every weapon before fully committing. You will definitely find the right fit for you, whether that's unleashing a frenzy akin to Dante or adopting a strategic approach reminiscent of Dark Souls.