Monster Hunter Wilds is getting its endgame update earlier than planned as Capcom responds to what they’ve described as “soft” post-launch sales. Despite an impressive debut that saw the game sell 10 million copies within its first month after releasing on February 28, 2024, the monster-slaying title has hit a concerning slump.
According to Capcom’s financial report, Wilds sold only 477,000 additional copies between April 1 and June 30, 2024. This dramatic drop-off has prompted swift action from the developer, who has accelerated the release of endgame content originally scheduled for later this year.
The rushed update introduces arch-tempered monsters and balance changes designed to address one of the community’s major complaints: lack of challenge. Players have criticized Wilds for being too easy compared to previous entries in the series, with monsters dying too quickly and simplified mechanics removing much of the traditional difficulty curve that defined the franchise.
“The whole Seikret system makes players never familiarize themselves with the map,” noted one player, referring to the auto-pathing mount that many feel removes the need for exploration. Others pointed to performance issues across both console and PC versions, with inconsistent frame rates and poor optimization further dampening enthusiasm.
Monster Hunter games typically thrive on their endgame loops, where players return for hundreds of hours to face increasingly difficult challenges and craft better gear. Previous entries like Monster Hunter World kept players hooked with regular free content updates that added new monsters and tough quests.
The new update tweaks drop rates and combat mechanics to make monster encounters last longer while adjusting systems like the wound and focus mechanics to amp up the intensity of fights. Tempered versions of monsters like Lagiacrus and Seregios have been added, which players say are “legit hard and not pushovers like everything else.”
Capcom’s strategy looks a lot like moves we’ve seen from other game makers when player numbers start slipping. The company seems to be hoping this update can get players interested again and maybe win back some who left after finishing the main story.
