Summary
Capcom’sMonster Hunterseries has always shamelessly leaned fully into its name, giving players a straightforward experience of hunting down dangerous monsters. It wasn’t until the release ofMonster Hunter: Worldthat the process of tracking those monsters via Scoutflies was introduced, likely in an effort to make hunts feel more immersive and rewarding. However, as immersive as the process was, it became tedious and monotonous after a while, putting some increasingly unnecessary steps between players and the hunt.Monster Hunter Risethen simplified this process by removing Scoutflies entirely, only forMonster Hunter Wildsto follow by not only bringing back Scoutflies but finding a way to bridge the gap betweenMonster Hunter: World’s tedium andMonster Hunter Rise’s simplicity.
WhereasMonster Hunter Riseremoved players from the process of tracking monsters,Monster Hunter Wildshas managed to find a happy medium between the last two mainline installments in the series. Rather than oversimplifying things for players by taking the tracking process out of the game entirely,Monster Hunter Wildsnot only reintroduces Scoutflies as navigational tools but also integrates monster tracking into its new Seikret mount. With this approach, the Seikret not only has a unique identity inMonster Hunter Wilds, but players can still feel like they’re tracking a monster without needing to do all the busy workMonster Hunter: Worldrequired them to do.
Monster Hunter Wilds' Streamlines the Process of Monster Tracking
Monster Hunter Wilds' Seikret Mount Allows Players to Travel Automatically to a Destination
The key to monster tracking inMonster Hunter Wildsis the new Seikret mount, which is not only useful for traversal in the game but has a variety of other functions as well. However, initially, players will need to use their Seikret to track down monsters rather than performing the preliminary work ofMonster Hunter: World, like examining tracks, looking for environmental cues, or finding tufts of fur on the ground. Fortunately, this process is almost always seamlessly integrated intoMonster Hunter Wilds' story, so players don’t have to do much manual work on the road to their target.
WhereasMonster Hunter Riseremoved players from the process of tracking monsters,Monster Hunter Wildshas managed to find a happy medium between the last two mainline installments in the series.
The Seikret mount’s standout quality, in a roundabout way, is its ability to automatically take players to their target. This mechanic is very similar toMonster Hunter: World’s Raiders Rides introduced in the Iceborne expansion, with the exception ofMonster Hunter Wilds' Seikretbeing able to free roam at any time. While the Seikret is set to Auto Move, players can prep for a hunt by using consumables or sharpening their weapon without ever stopping or slowing down if they choose to, but this helpful feature doubles asMonster Hunter Wilds' monster tracking system as well.
Monsters Are Automatically Pinpointed on the Map After Initial Encounters
Once players have used their Seikret to track amonster inMonster Hunter Wilds' narrative, that monster will then be automatically pinpointed on the map. This is ultimately howMonster Hunter Wildsbridges the gap betweenMonster Hunter: WorldandMonster Hunter Rise, as the latter’s tracking system would automatically indicate a monster’s location on its map and the former required players to track monsters manually. In other words, players are always encouraged to set their Seikret to Auto Move during the game’s story, but during any free-roam expeditions, they might prefer to handle their Seikret manually.
WithMonster Hunter Wilds, the series' monster tracking has been refined into a system that feels both natural and efficient, cutting out the unnecessary busywork ofMonster Hunter: Worldwhile still giving players the satisfaction of actively tracking their prey. By combining the immersion ofMonster Hunter: Worldwith the accessibility ofMonster Hunter Rise, the game ensures that players stay engaged with the hunt without feeling bogged down by tedious mechanics.
