The Gathering Hub is alive once again. Monster Hunter World, the franchise’s first foray into the global market that saw a simultaneous release on multiple platforms in 2018, recently witnessed a significant surge in player count.
According to SteamDB, the game peaked at an impressive 131,148 concurrent players on January 1, marking its highest player count since October 2020. Notably, it’s one of the most played games on Steam, as of the moment of writing. It’s currently surpassing popular titles like Path of Exile and Cyberpunk 2077, going toe to toe with The Finals, among many others. This resurgence in popularity is remarkable, especially considering the game’s initial release back in 2018.
Several factors have contributed to this resurgence, key among them is the announcement of Monster Hunter Wilds at The Game Awards last December. This reveal seems to have sparked renewed interest in the series, with many players returning to World while waiting for the upcoming game. Additionally, a significant Steam sale, where Monster Hunter: World and its expansion, Iceborne, were offered at their lowest-ever prices, made the game more accessible to first-time players. The sale, which ran until January 4, allowed players to purchase the game and its expansion for a total of $25, an enticing offer for a game that promises hundreds of hours of gameplay.
While Monster Hunter Rise, the latest entry in the series, also saw a price reduction and a modest boost in terms of the player numbers, it didn’t experience the same level of attention as World. This preference for World over Rise could be attributed to the former’s more complex and involved gameplay, making it a preferred choice for many in the lead-up to Wilds.
The success of Monster Hunter: World is evident in its several gameplay improvements and innovations. It boasts the best graphics and smoothest gameplay in the series, especially on PC and 4K-enabled consoles. More importantly, it introduced seamless open environments to the series, a significant upgrade from the sectioned-off maps of previous games, which were often interrupted by loading screens. The maps in World are rich in detail, filled with endemic life and interactive elements that enhance the hunting experience. These improvements, coupled with more varied and accessible gameplay, have solidified World as a fan favorite.
Despite criticisms about its initial monster list and its relative lack of end-game content when it first came out, its post-launch updates, including the Iceborne expansion, have greatly improved the gameplay, making it a lot better now than it was at launch. The introduction of new mechanics, such as the clutch claw, and a roster boost have addressed many of these concerns.
Although opinions among hardcore Monster Hunter fans vary, particularly regarding the game’s changes to the combat system and the game’s more realistic aesthetic compared to its predecessors, its overwhelming success is impossible to deny. These games haven’t only become Capcom’s all-time bestsellers but have also cemented the franchise’s popularity in the West.
Wilds’ announcement, which has seen World’s player count steadily grow by roughly around 2-3k players a day in the past month, has encouraged community influencers to revisit the game. Their engagement with World has acted as organic marketing, attracting both returning players and newcomers, alike.
Ultimately, Monster Hunter: World, with its wealth of content that doesn’t begin to unfold after completing the main story, is largely to blame for its player surge. In the game, players can immerse themselves in farming materials for gear upgrades, decorations, augments, and layered armor for enhanced customization. Each of the game’s 14 weapons offers a unique playstyle, akin to separate classes in an RPG or characters in a fighting game, providing immense replay value. Finally, the game features a plethora of optional and event quests with unique rewards, including crossover content with other games.
With still over a year left until Monster Hunter Wilds comes out in 2025, we have a hunch that Monster Hunter World won’t stop peaking anytime soon.
Speaking of games worth rediscovering, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, Prey, and Mad Max, are all worth replaying, especially at a discount.
