When Capcom revealed Monster Hunter Wilds at The Game Awards last year, I could only watch as my future free time started to slip away from me. And playing the preview build at Gamescom has only reinforced those fears. My action-packed demo had me tackling two stormy, dynamic hunts and trialing some of the refined tools players will have in their arsenal when the game launches in 2025.
After a quick dabble in character customization, which included choosing a ginger coat for my Palico (kitty companion), I was thrust into Monster Hunter Wilds' opening mission. Across dusty desert dunes, my hunter and their companions (yes, Gemma was there, too) skimmed the sands on a sloop. In the distance, the crew spotted a child being chased by monsters, and within seconds, my hunter dove from the safety of the vessel onto a nearby creature and sped away, signaling the start of my expedition.
