Monster Hunter Wilds is great, but fans of the series know that the games are about much more than their initial releases. Yesterday’s Monster Hunter Wilds Showcase proved exactly that, giving us a clear look at the first major update while planting seeds for future events.
The update in question, known as Title Update 1, will be free to download on Friday, April 4, and brings a variety of new content to the game. For starters, it ushers the return of Mizutsune, a Leviathan with bubble-based abilities that last appeared in Monster Hunter Rise. After players reach HR 21, they’ll be able to unlock the new monster with a quest from Kanya in the Scarlet Forest. After reaching HR 50, Hunters playing Title Update 1 will also be able to encounter Arch Tempered Rey Dau and Zoh Shia, which can provide new armor sets to be crafted and equipped.
A trio of new quest types is also coming to Wilds. Arena, Challenge, and Free Challenge quests each task the player with defeating certain monsters within a time limit. While Arena and Challenge quests limit your gear and cap your party at two players, Free Challenge quests are open to a full party using whatever armor and weapons they like. Perform well enough, and you’ll end up on the Expedition Record Board, which awards high-scoring hunters with unique weapon charms.
A new gathering point called the Grand Hub also comes with Title Update 1, adding a large common area (like those found in many prior games in the series) where players can gather, play minigames, and prepare for hunts. You can share one of the series’ notoriously mouthwatering meals with your party, catch fish, or go bowling with large explosive barrels. The Grand Hub will also host the Festival of Accord: Blossomdance from April 23 to May 7, adding unique meals, limited-time equipment, cosmetics, and more. It will be the first of many seasonal festivals.
Additionally, April 4 is the day Cosmetic DLC Pack 1 will be available for download, adding new gestures, cosmetic armor, and character customization options. It’s included in the Cosmetic DLC Pass but can also be purchased separately. The store will also get new paid cosmetics not included in the DLC pass. Additionally, free cosmetics will be added for all players, like a new outfit for Alma and a set of classic gestures.
Title Update 1 comes to Monster Hunter Wilds on April 4. Capcom also hinted that the game would receive another update in late May, and a full title update later this summer. For more Monster Hunter Wilds, you can check out our review, where we said, “Once you get your bearings, Monster Hunter Wilds is a delight, bringing Monster Hunter World’s carefully crafted gameplay loop to the next level.”
