Two of the most anticipated releases of early 2025,Monster Hunter WildsandXenoblade Chronicles X, have blown up in their respective communities. While these games may no have much in common on the surface, aside from both having RPG elements, looking deeper reveals thatMonster Hunter WildsandXenoblade Chronicles Xare far more similar than they seem. With a surprising amount of overlap, fans ofMonster Hunter WildsandXenoblade Chronicles Xmay find that the other game scratches a similar itch and is worth taking a chance on.
Monster Hunter Wildsplayers have the benefit of accessibility, with the game being available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Meanwhile,Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Editionis exclusively available on Nintendo Switch. Even with the availability of these titles fractured across different platforms, it may be worth fans' time to make the jump to experience the strengths these games share with one another.
Monster Hunterhas a strong history with Nintendo consoles, withMonster Hunter Wilds' predecessor,Monster Hunter Rise, initially launching exclusively on the Switch. As such, there is likely already a solidMonster Hunterfan base on the Switch who would benefit from trying outXenoblade Chronicles X.
Monster Hunter Wilds and Xenoblade Chronicles Share a Surprising Amount of Overlap
Xenoblade Chronicles X Has a Monster Hunter-Like Premise
Unlike the greaterXenoblade Chroniclesseries' emphasis on a largely linear, narrative-focused story,Xenoblade Chronicles Xscales back the story content in favor of a large, open world and player-driven exploration. The narrative that is present features a story of discovery in an unknown, untamed land after the survivors of humanity crash on the planet Mira following Earth’s destruction at the hands of an alien attack. As such,Xenoblade Chronicles Xhighlights the need for players to explore and catalog the fauna of this world, with different divisions of the game’s organization ofsurvivors known as BLADEdedicated to protecting the colony of New LA from rampaging terrestrial life.
Monster Hunter Wildsis also light on its narrative depth, but features a similar story of exploration in unfamiliar lands and a focus on protecting settlements from the dangerous monsters that inhabit them.Monster Hunterfans are likely used to a less meaty narrative structure that trades story depth for complex gameplay, so the approachXenoblade Chronicles Xtakes in this regard will feel right at home. Conversely,Xenoblade Chronicles Xfans who enjoy the freedom of exploration the game’s open world offers will likely appreciateMonster Hunter Wilds' interconnected worldthat differs from past entries' more limited open-zone formula.
Monster Hunter Wilds and Xenoblade Chronicles X Feature Different Takes on Similar Gameplay Mechanics
Although the core gameplay loop of each title differs fairly drastically, there are some mechanics that the two share that will feel familiar to fans of either game. A core part of combat in theMonster Hunterseries involves breaking off partsof a monster to gain materials players can use to craft new gear.Xenoblade Chronicles Xfeatures some larger-than-life monsters likeMonster Hunter Wilds, and players can take a page out ofMonster Hunter’s book by targeting specific parts of the beast to gain material that can be used to develop useful items.
Another core part of theMonster Hunterseries is the online co-op element that allows hunters to team up and take down the game’s toughest monsters.Xenoblade Chronicles Xalso features an online multiplayer component, where players can group up into squads to complete missions and take down superbosses together. Much like how the apex monsters ofMonster Hunter Wilds require players to plan strategically for these encounters, some ofXenoblade Chronicles X’s Tyrantswill take everything players have to beat them, creating a similar endgame challenge asMonster Hunter Wilds.
Monster Hunter Wilds
WHERE TO PLAY
The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next. This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.
