Monster Hunter Wilds is officially out today and after already hitting 1 million concurrent players it is safe to say this new iteration of the franchise is a success. There are tons of new features and quality-of-life updates that have improved the game for many and also several changes to make things easier for new players which is always positively received. Unfortunately for previous players, cooking has had the biggest change and you will be in charge of your meals this time instead of the cute Palico Chef that was so popular in the last game. Along with new features to the game and QOL updates, there are new mechanics as well which can always be an adjustment for players whether you are new to the franchise or have spent hours in the previous iteration of Monster Hunter. Ultimately in a game where hunting down beasts from all different environments and species you will be dependent on your ability to be accurate and precise in high-stakes moments will make or break your success in Monster Hunter Wilds. 

A few new elements you can expect in Monster Hunter Rise that might give you a bit of challenge will be the new mount feature where you can jump on a Seikret to help track down a monster. Fortunately, mounts can utilize the auto track setting but I have found more enjoyment when controlling my mount manually. The seamless world is another significant change that can be fairly distracting as it always seems like there are opportunities to join raids and battles across the map but not having to worry about load times is a nice change of pace. Lastly, there are new dynamic weather changes that can happen mid-battle that have caught me off guard a few times and if you are not paying attention, it can even impact the behavior of monsters so always make sure to check the skies as you set out on a hunt. Each of these elements will be factors when tracking down monsters and battling your way through the campaign but nothing is more important than your movement and precision in Monster Hunter Wilds. 

Optimize Your Settings To Get The Best Advantage When Hunting

Once you have successfully tracked down the monster you are hunting there are several elements to a battle where you will rely on thumbstick control, making precise movements, and ensuring your aim does not miss because one wrong move changes the entire outcome of a hunt. Adjusting a few settings can drastically improve your success rate during hunts. There are a few default settings that I had to immediately change to feel more comfortable and confident during hunts. A key factor when engrossed in a fierce battle is your vision and awareness of everything around you in the environment and this is typically managed by camera adjustment. I always recommend when beginning a new game check your settings and look for the field of vision setting (FOV) or camera zoom. Changing this setting will allow you to widen your total vision and can be impactful when fighting a large monster or a monster that may have unique movements that are hard to keep track of. Remember there are potential weather and environmental changes that can happen mid-fight, so having a wider view of the battle can improve your success. The sensitivity of the camera is another setting I would recommend moving up and down because there is a ton of movement involved when hunting and battling different types of monsters and being able to quickly pivot or move your POV can drastically improve your ability to dodge or avoid unforeseen attacks.

Other settings that I tweaked are the HUD, Minimap, and how damage is presented in fights can all help with overall performance in my hunts. I have found limiting my HUD to only important info such as health and stamina has increased my spatial awareness while locking my minimap to the fixed setting helped with navigation when tracking down specific monsters. The damage output settings are more of a personal preference but I like to know exactly how much damage I am doing down to the decimal. You can also turn damage numbers off entirely if you are looking for a more immersive experience. 

Why Precision Matters in Monster Hunter Wilds

One of the more enjoyable parts of the Monster Hunter series is all of the incredibly unique weapons, tools, and attacks that are possible in the game. These different weapons allow for versatility and movement during combat but there are a few that depend on accuracy and precision to be able to dish out the full potential of damage. Both the Bow and Bowgun (light or heavy) will require you to be precise because aside from just hitting your target there are instances where a monster may have an open wound or weakness that is crucial to hit if you are going to take them down. Being able to exploit key weaknesses or areas of the monster's armor or body can be your greatest asset so make sure you are confident and practice these weapons before jumping into a fight. Long-range weapons are not the only ones that require a level of precision and accuracy, your close combat weapons like the Longsword or the Lance also have combos that rely on hitting specific parts of the monster's body to ensure proper damage.  The Gunlance which has been my go-to so far is a great example of needing accuracy and precision because nothing is more frustrating than lining up a charged shot or focused strike and missing leaving you open for a counterattack. For those looking for a more beginner-friendly weapon I would recommend the Dual Blades or Switch Axe which rely more on just making contact with the monster you are fighting but you will still need to make sure you are positioned correctly to hit those combos. 

Master Your Movement and Accuracy With The KontrolFreek Advantage 

Movement is another instrumental element in Monster Hunter Wilds where you will need to be precise and have mastered control because there are aspects like mounting monsters, tools such as the Hook Slinger, and even weapons like the Insect Glaive that launch you into the air mid-combat. KontrolFreek has several products that will immediately improve your overall control and allow you to make quick and evasive movements during combat or exploration with confidence. KontrolFreek Thumbsticks are the perfect addition for anyone looking to take their skills to the next level. Whether you are looking to gain an advantage with improved accuracy or prevent any slippage when you are making quick movements or dodging during battle, equipping a pair of KontrolFreek Thumbsticks is your secret weapon. Depending on your weapon of choice I have 2 Thumbsticks I would recommend, and those are the KontrolFreek Lotus and Frenzy Thumbsticks. 

The Lotus Edition Thumbsticks consist of two mid-rise thumbsticks that are built for action and adventure, the height provided adds much-needed comfort when battles are drawn out. The increased surface area in combination with the new improved proprietary rubber material provides an upgraded grip compared to a traditional stock thumbstick so you will not have to worry about slippage in the heat of battle or when making aerial combos with a weapon like the Insect Glaive. The Frenzy Thumbstick is the perfect companion for those who prefer a more long-range approach to combat or are looking for a way to improve their overall accuracy with tools like the Hook Slinger which with the right aim can grapple you directly onto a monster for power damage. The right thumbstick is a high rise which provides extra leverage and allows you to make smaller aiming adjustments so you never have to worry about missing a shot or landing your hook on a speedy or elusive target that might be trying to escape. The left thumbstick like the Lotus Edition Thumbsticks is a mid-rise so you will have all the grip and surface area needed to stay out of harm's way while lining up a devastating ranged attack. Each of these thumbsticks has its advantages based on your preferred playstyle and is the perfect addition to any controller for players looking to get the ultimate advantage against their prey. 

Overall Monster Hunters Wilds is another classic by Capcom that upgraded many enjoyed features from previous editions and provides a fun but challenging component to hunting down beasts and monsters across a seamless map. There are so many different weapons, combat styles, and environmental factors that set this game apart from standard action-adventure games, so being prepared with the right accessories in the game and real life is important.  I encourage you to try out different weapons and some of my recommended settings to get the full Monster Hunter Wilds experience and make sure to try out KontrolFreek’s Thumbsticks for the ultimate advantage against any foe.