Monster Hunter: World

Monster Hunter: World is an action RPG by Capcom that sends hunters with the Fifth Fleet to the New World. There, the Research Commission investigates the migration of the Elder Dragons, while you track down, hunt and use giant monsters' materials for new weapons and armor.

World modernized the series with more connected hunting zones, seamless transitions and monster hunts more deeply embedded in the environment. The campaign can be played solo, and many quests also support co-op for up to four hunters.

Monster Hunter: World released on Jan 26, 2018 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The PC version followed on Aug 9, 2018.

The major expansion Iceborne released on Sep 6, 2019 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and on Jan 9, 2020 for PC.

Native versions of Monster Hunter: World are available for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. On PlayStation 5, the PS4 version can be played via backward compatibility, but it is not a standalone PS5 version. The same applies to the Xbox Series consoles and the Xbox One version.

The core consists of prepared hunts against large monsters. You read tracks, use Scoutflies to follow prey, set traps and use the environment, and learn your quarry's movement patterns. After successful hunts, materials are turned into stronger weapons and armor, which creates the next stage of progression.

Monster Hunter: World offers 14 weapon types with clearly different playstyles. Quests can be played solo or online in co-op. Other hunters can join ongoing quests, while the open hunting zones link monsters, smaller creatures and environmental mechanics together.

Iceborne is the major expansion for Monster Hunter: World and picks up after the main game ends. It introduces the snowy Hoarfrost Reach, the Master Rank, new and returning monsters, and additional combat mechanics such as the Clutch Claw. The base game is required to access it.

On PC, Steam lists at least 8 GB RAM, DirectX 11 and 52 GB free storage. Minimum graphics cards include GeForce GTX 760 or GTX 1050, or Radeon R7 260X or RX 560. For the recommended configuration, Steam lists GeForce GTX 1060 or GTX 1650, or Radeon RX 480 or RX 570, among others.

14 weapon types determine how you fight monsters. Great Swords reward precise, heavy hits, while Dual Blades focus on fast attacks. Bow and Bowguns allow ranged combat, while Lance, Hunting Horn or Insect Glaive open up their own options for defense, support and mobility.

Each weapon has its own movesets and combos. Progress comes not only from better stats, but also from learning reach, dodge windows and monster patterns.

Up to four players can hunt together. Online, you can support ongoing quests, and with the SOS flare, hunters can request help. The game can also be played solo.

There is no crossplay between PC, PlayStation and Xbox. The platforms have separate multiplayer networks. Save data also cannot be transferred from one platform to another. Within the same platform region, however, hunters can play together internationally.

Iceborne continues the story of Monster Hunter: World and leads into the snowy Hoarfrost Reach. The new Master Rank expands the hunt with tougher quests, additional monsters and stronger equipment.

The Clutch Claw opens new ways to hold onto monsters and prepare attacks. Seliana adds a new hub. After the campaign, the Guiding Lands offer an extensive endgame area with more monsters and materials to find.

Monster Hunter: World is the base game. Iceborne expands the hunt with additional areas, monsters and a continuation of the story, but requires the main game.

The Master Edition includes the base game and Iceborne together. Cosmetic extras such as emotes, outfits and decorations should be kept separate from these. They change the look or personalisation but do not replace the major game expansion.

The PC version offers German menus, German subtitles and German voice audio. Alongside keyboard and mouse controls, Steam achievements, cloud saves and single-player and co-op modes are included.

The Iceborne expansion adds PC options such as support for ultrawide monitors, a high-resolution texture pack and DirectX 12. Which settings make sense depends on your available graphics hardware.