It's finally here! Monster Hunter Wilds arrives on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, following in the massive footsteps of its predecessor, Monster Hunter World, and its expansive Iceborne expansion. But just how long will it take to conquer this beast-battling adventure? We asked the IGN team to share their experiences.
Tom Marks - Executive Reviews Editor, Games
I finished Monster Hunter Wilds’ main story in just under 15 hours. Unlike Monster Hunter Rise, this is the actual story conclusion, not a mid-point. However, completing the Low Rank campaign only unlocks High Rank, brimming with side quests and tougher challenges. It took me another 15 hours to complete nearly all of these quests and reach what feels like the true endgame. This involved battling every monster, unlocking all crafting options, and mastering the new Artian weapon system. Thanks to the streamlined grind, I only needed another five hours to acquire my desired weapons and armor, though significantly more is available for those seeking further challenges.
**Casey DeFreitas - Deputy Editor, Guides** --------------------------------------------------I completed the final High Rank story mission in around 40 hours, roughly 22 hours after finishing Low Rank. Accuracy is tricky, as I spent time in menus for guide creation. During Low Rank, I focused on progressing, not extensive crafting or repeated hunts. My High Rank approach was similar, though I diverted to optional monsters and hunts with friends (often necessary for story progression). I only upgraded my weapon once intentionally, otherwise prioritizing the story. A more thorough approach would likely have added 20 hours or more to my playtime.
I still have endemic life collection, fishing, and six post-game side quests to complete, plus at least one more to unlock. Beyond that, I plan to farm for Talisman upgrades, craft different armor, experiment with Artian weapons, and replay the story with friends. Future title updates and event quests add even more to look forward to.
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Simon Cardy - Senior Editorial Producer
I finished the main story in just under 16 hours, a surprising speed compared to my World playthrough. As a relative newcomer, I found many battles easier than expected. While I did struggle with some apex predators, the overall experience was quite smooth. The streamlined gameplay, scaled-back elemental weaknesses, and reduced crafting/tracking requirements contributed to this shorter playtime.
The consistent story cutscene/monster battle rhythm, while appreciated for its swift pacing, felt less like a traditional Monster Hunter experience and more like a Western-style cinematic adventure. This rapid conclusion leaves much of the series' core elements for the post-game.
Jada Griffin - Community Lead
I reached the initial credits in about 20 hours, including optional and side quests, along with some leisurely exploration. This involved discovering hidden paths, collecting endemic life, customizing menus, and finding optimal camp locations. Completing all High Rank missions and side quests took another 15 hours. Since then, I've spent nearly 70 hours on post-game activities like hunting with friends, decoration farming, and hunting for monster crowns. I'm eagerly anticipating future title updates with new monsters.
**Ronny Barrier - Producer, Guides** -------------------------------------------I saw the first credits after approximately 20 hours, mainly focusing on the story with minimal grinding. I experimented with various weapons (Switch Axe is highly recommended!), which added to the playtime. With 65 hours already logged, I don't consider these credits the true ending; the story feels more like an extended tutorial, leading into a wealth of post-game content, including new hunts and crafting opportunities. (Except for Congalala hunts – I'm good on those.)
