Monster Hunter Wilds: Duration Revealed

Monster Hunter Wilds has finally arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, continuing Capcom's storied tradition of thrilling beast-battling action. Following the massive success of Monster Hunter World and its Iceborne expansion, Wilds promises another epic adventure. But just how long does it take to complete? Here, we dive into the experiences of different IGN team members, detailing their time to finish the main story, their priorities, and their engagement with the postgame.

Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games

It took me just under **15 hours** to reach the credits in Monster Hunter Wilds' campaign, marking the end of the story. Unlike Monster Hunter Rise, where the first credit roll is halfway through the plot, this is the actual conclusion. However, this only signifies the end of Low Rank. High Rank awaits with numerous side quests and tougher challenges, so there's still plenty to do.

I spent **another 15 hours** completing nearly all the High Rank quests to reach what I consider the true endgame. This involved battling all available monsters, unlocking all systems and crafting options at launch, and diving into the custom Artian weapon system designed to keep players engaged. Thanks to Wilds' streamlined grind, I only needed **another five hours** to optimize my preferred weapons and armor set, although there's always more to achieve across other weapon types.

Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides

I completed the final "story" mission in High Rank at around **40 hours**, roughly **22 hours after the credits rolled for Low Rank**. It's challenging to be precise due to time spent idling in menus for guide purposes. During the Low Rank phase, I didn't delve into the game's more complex systems, focusing instead on crafting with available resources and progressing without repeating hunts. In High Rank, I ventured off the story path to tackle new optional monsters and hunt with friends, which is necessary to unlock further Story Missions.

I only upgraded my weapon once by hunting an extra Ajarakan, otherwise, I made do with what I had and rushed to the end. Ideally, I would have spent closer to **60 hours** to create a more efficient armor and weapon set. Postgame, I still have endemic life-catching, fishing, and six monster-hunting Side Missions to complete, along with at least one more optional quest to unlock. I'm eager to farm specific monsters for Talisman upgrades, craft different armor, and experiment with Artian weapons. I also plan to replay the story leisurely with friends while learning new weapons. With upcoming event quests and title updates introducing new monsters, there's much more to look forward to in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer

It took me **just under 16 hours** to finish Monster Hunter Wilds' main story, which was surprisingly quick compared to my 25-hour journey into World's campaign. As a relative newcomer to the series, I found the battles quite manageable, though I did faint a few times against apex predators. The game's streamlined approach, with less emphasis on elemental strengths, crafting tailored loadouts, and extensive tracking, made it more accessible for newcomers like me.

The consistent pacing of story cutscenes and monster battles until the credits felt less like a traditional Monster Hunter experience and more influenced by Western cinematic storytelling. While I appreciated the swift conclusion to the initial story, I wonder if it sacrifices some of the series' beloved elements until the post-game.

Jada Griffin - Community Lead

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

It took me **15 hours** to complete all High Rank missions and side quests, encountering all post-credit monsters. So far, I've spent nearly **70 hours** in the post-credits, hunting monsters with friends, farming decorations, and pursuing monster crowns. I'm excited for future title updates that will add more monsters to the roster.

Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides

I saw the first credits in Monster Hunter Wilds after about **20 hours**, mainly focusing on the story with brief detours to craft a few cool armor sets. I experimented with various weapons, particularly enjoying the Switch Axe, which extended my playtime compared to sticking with my usual sword and shield.

Currently at **65 hours**, I don't consider the credits the true ending. There's still much to explore, new monsters to encounter, and new hats to craft. The story feels like an extended tutorial, which suits me fine as it leads to more monster hunting adventures. Except for Congalala—I'd rather not see him again.