Monster Hunter Wilds: Duration Revealed

Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in Capcom's acclaimed action series, has arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, following the success of Monster Hunter World and its Iceborne expansion. Fans are eager to know just how long it takes to dive into this beast-filled adventure. Here, we'll detail the time it took various members of the IGN team to complete the main story, their priorities during gameplay, and their engagement with the postgame.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

I completed the campaign of Monster Hunter Wilds in just under **15 hours**, reaching the actual end of the story. Unlike Monster Hunter Rise, where the first credit roll is merely halfway through the plot, Wilds' credits signify the end of Low Rank. However, the journey doesn't end there; High Rank awaits with numerous side quests and greater challenges.

It took me an additional **15 hours** to conquer almost all of these quests, reaching what I consider the true endgame. By this point, I had battled all available monsters, unlocked all initial systems and crafting options, and delved into the custom Artian weapon system, designed to keep players engaged. Thanks to Wilds' efficient grind system, I only needed another **5 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 credits rolled for Low Rank**. Tracking time precisely was challenging due to idle time spent in menus for guide work. During the "Low Rank" phase, I didn't delve deeply into the game's systems, crafting what was necessary and moving forward without repeating hunts. In High Rank, I ventured beyond the story missions to hunt new optional monsters and join friends in hunts, essential for unlocking further story missions.

I made a single detour to upgrade my weapon by hunting an extra Ajarakan, otherwise focusing on reaching the endgame. Ideally, I would have spent more time crafting a more effective armor and weapon set, potentially increasing my playtime to around **60 hours**. My postgame plans include catching endemic life, fishing, completing side missions, and farming monsters for Talisman upgrades and experimenting with Artian weapons. I'm also looking forward to leisurely replaying the story with friends, trying out new weapons, and participating in upcoming event quests and title updates.

Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

It took me **just under 16 hours** to finish Monster Hunter Wilds' main story, a surprisingly short runtime compared to Monster Hunter World. As a relative newcomer to the series, I found the battles quite manageable, though some apex predators posed a challenge. The game's streamlined approach, with reduced emphasis on elemental strategies, loadout customization, and extensive tracking, made the journey feel more accessible.

The consistent pacing of story cutscenes and monster battles led to a swift conclusion of the initial narrative, though it sometimes felt less like a traditional Monster Hunter experience and more influenced by Western cinematic storytelling. While I appreciated reaching the story's end quickly, I'm curious if this approach sacrifices some of what has made the series beloved by fans, at least until the postgame kicks in.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

I reached the initial credits of Monster Hunter Wilds in about **20 hours**, spending most of that time on optional and side quests, with some time simply enjoying the game's world. I explored the map's paths, hunted endemic life, customized my menus and shouts, and found optimal camp locations.

Completing all High-rank missions and side quests took me another **15 hours**, allowing me to encounter all post-credit monsters. To date, I've logged nearly **70 hours** in the postgame, engaging in fun hunts with friends, farming decorations, and pursuing monster crowns. I'm excited about the future title updates that will bring more monsters to the game.

Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides

I saw 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 and experiment with various weapons, particularly the Switch Axe. My total playtime now stands at **65 hours**, and I view the credits as more of a narrative turning point than the true end.

There's still much to explore and hunt, with new monsters and crafting opportunities on the horizon. The story feels like an extended tutorial, which suits me fine as it leads to more monster encounters. Except for Congalala—I could do without seeing him again.