It’s hard to be surprised by the remarkable success of Monster Hunter Wilds when you consider the franchise’s trajectory, especially after the hit release of Monster Hunter World. That game revolutionized the series, making it more beginner-friendly than ever, paving the way for Rise and now Wilds to break new records. Monster Hunter Wilds may have the most impressive monster mounting system yet, yet fans might notice the absence of the Wirebug, a standout feature from Monster Hunter Rise.
Introduced in 2021 with Monster Hunter Rise, the Wirebug brought a fresh dynamic to the gameplay. It was particularly essential with Rise’s moves towards vertical landscapes, allowing players to quickly scale heights or dodge danger. Its combat uses were equally exciting, letting hunters perform aerial moves and facilitating monster mounts. The Wirebug seemed like a perfect fit for the immersive world of Monster Hunter Wilds, but it didn’t make the jump to this latest installment.
In Monster Hunter Wilds, mounting has become more intuitive. Players can leap from their Seikret mount onto a monster’s back when the height is just right. Once landed, the game has done away with previous iterations’ mechanics, letting players swiftly move along the creature, inflict damage, create wounds, and capitalize with Focus Attacks.
The lack of the Wirebug does make the new mounting method easier and perhaps more enjoyable. However, its omission feels like a missed chance to deepen the engagement with this revamped system. Focus Attacks and Wounds are cornerstones that could have benefited from more frequent encouragement of mounting large monsters.
In looking at why the Wirebug didn’t return, it’s relevant to note Wilds’ distinct level design. Whereas Rise emphasized layered environments, Wilds targets scale and density in its terrains. The decision to exclude the Wirebug likely aimed to maintain this balance, as too much mobility might have disrupted the game’s pacing.
Yet, given Wilds’ relative newcomer friendliness within the series, incorporating the Wirebug might have encouraged more strategic monster mounts. This newly designed mounting system diverges greatly from World and Rise, and adding the Wirebug could have turned battles against large, roaming creatures into more thrilling encounters.
So, while Monster Hunter Wilds delivers an accessible and exciting experience, one can’t help but wonder how the Wirebug might have elevated this latest chapter of the beloved franchise.
