How Long is the Monster Hunter: World Story?
The main story of Monster Hunter: World (MHW) takes approximately 47½ hours to complete if you primarily focus on the main objectives. However, a completionist run, striving to experience all aspects of the game and achieve 100% completion, will likely require around 404 hours. This significant difference highlights the depth and breadth of content available beyond the core narrative.
Diving Deeper: What to Expect From MHW’s Story Length
The initial playthrough focuses on understanding the mystery of the Elder Crossing, hunting increasingly powerful monsters, and ultimately unraveling the secrets of the Elder Dragons. This core experience, while substantial, only scratches the surface of what Monster Hunter: World has to offer.
Factors influencing the length of your playthrough include:
- Your Skill Level: New players may take longer to defeat monsters, especially the early game challenges, while experienced hunters might progress more quickly.
- Your Weapon Choice: Some weapons are easier to learn and master than others, potentially affecting the speed at which you clear hunts.
- Whether You Play Solo or in Multiplayer: While the game scales difficulty, solo play often demands more strategic preparation and potentially longer hunts.
- Your Desire to Explore and Craft: If you’re dedicated to crafting specific armor sets or weapons, the resource gathering process can add considerable time to your overall playthrough.
Beyond the Main Story: The True Monster Hunter Experience
Once you “beat” the main story, the game truly opens up. Post-game content includes challenging Tempered Monsters, access to the Guiding Lands, and the pursuit of rare decorations to optimize your builds. This is where the majority of players spend most of their time, pushing their skills to the limit and striving for the ultimate gear.
The Iceborne expansion adds even more content, including a brand new story campaign in Hoarfrost Reach, new monsters, and a new difficulty rank called Master Rank. Iceborne significantly increases the overall playtime for those seeking the complete Monster Hunter: World experience.
Monster Hunter: World – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Monster Hunter: World to enhance your understanding and gaming experience:
Is there an ending to Monster Hunter: World?
Yes, Monster Hunter: World has a plot ending, but it doesn’t conclude the gameplay. You can continue playing indefinitely, tackling new challenges and completing various quests. Consider it more of a “chapter end” than a definitive conclusion.
How long do fights typically take in Monster Hunter: World?
Fight duration can vary drastically depending on your skill level, weapon choice, and the specific monster you’re facing. Early game hunts might take 10-35 minutes, while more challenging encounters, especially in the late game, can easily stretch to 30-40 minutes or longer.
Can you beat Monster Hunter: World solo?
Absolutely! Monster Hunter: World is entirely beatable solo. The game scales difficulty based on the number of players, making solo play a viable and often rewarding experience. Many players find solo hunts to be more strategically engaging.
Is Monster Hunter: World a difficult game?
Yes, Monster Hunter: World can be tough, particularly for newcomers. It requires practice, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of monster attack patterns and weapon mechanics. However, overcoming these challenges is part of what makes the game so rewarding. Many compare the difficulty to that of games like Dark Souls.
Is Monster Hunter: World harder than Rise?
The difficulty between World and Rise is subjective and depends on individual playstyles. Some find World’s grinding endgame (Guiding Lands and Tempered Investigations) less challenging than Rise’s Anomaly Investigations, while others disagree. Each game presents its own unique challenges.
What is considered the hardest monster to fight in Monster Hunter: World?
Many players consider Extreme Behemoth (Extremoth) to be the most difficult monster in Monster Hunter: World. Its massive health pool, devastating attacks, and unique mechanics make it a formidable opponent even for seasoned hunters.
Why is Monster Hunter: World considered better than Rise by some players?
While subjective, some players prefer Monster Hunter: World for its more immersive world, detailed environments, and the Alpha/Beta armor set system, which offers greater customization. Others might prefer Rise’s faster-paced gameplay and more streamlined experience.
Who is the final boss in the Monster Hunter: World story?
Xeno’jiiva is the final boss of the main Monster Hunter: World story. Defeating Xeno’jiiva marks the end of the primary narrative arc.
What should you do after beating Monster Hunter: World?
After completing the main story, there’s plenty to do:
- Hunt Tempered Monsters for better rewards.
- Experiment with different weapons.
- Complete all remaining optional quests.
- Reach the highest Hunter Rank possible.
- Obtain completionist achievements.
- Help other players with challenging hunts.
- Explore the Guiding Lands.
What is the end goal of Monster Hunter?
The ultimate goal in Monster Hunter is often multifaceted. While there’s a storyline to follow, many players focus on reaching the highest Hunter Rank, mastering different weapon types, collecting rare materials, and perfecting their hunting skills. The games also help build collaboration and strategic planning skills, as explored by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
What is the hardest-hitting weapon in Monster Hunter: World?
The “hardest-hitting” weapon is subjective and depends on playstyle and individual attacks. However, weapons like the Greatsword, Hammer, and certain Lance builds are known for delivering significant raw damage per hit. Dual Blades deal the most damage per second.
What is the hardest quest in Monster Hunter: World?
Event Quests can often be quite challenging. Muscle Monkey Madness, featuring Rajang, and quests like In The Tempest’s Wake are notoriously difficult due to the powerful monsters involved and specific quest conditions.
Should I buy Monster Hunter: World or Rise?
The choice between World and Rise depends on your preferences. World offers a more immersive and realistic experience, while Rise provides faster-paced action and unique mobility options. It’s recommended to research gameplay videos and read reviews to determine which suits your taste better. Both games benefit greatly from their respective expansions (Iceborne for World and Sunbreak for Rise).
Should I start with Monster Hunter: World or Rise?
World is often recommended as a good starting point due to its more beginner-friendly introduction and immersive world. It was designed to be more accessible to new players. Rise offers a faster-paced experience, which some newcomers might find overwhelming at first.
Is Monster Hunter actually fun as a single-player game?
Yes, Monster Hunter is enjoyable as a single-player game. The NPC companions (Followers and Buddies) make the experience less lonely. The game is designed to be challenging and rewarding regardless of your approach, offering a deep sense of progression and accomplishment.
Final Thoughts
Monster Hunter: World offers a vast and engaging experience, with the main story being just the starting point. Whether you’re a dedicated completionist or prefer focusing on the core narrative, the game provides hundreds of hours of content to explore and enjoy. So grab your weapon, prepare for a challenge, and embark on an unforgettable hunting adventure!