Monster Hunter Wilds Sparks Debate Over Microtransaction Practices

Monster Hunter Wilds brings to the table a new wave of cosmetic microtransactions, sparking some debate among fans, particularly for those who love to experiment with the game’s design options. Despite this, the pushback hasn’t been too severe. This might be because this isn’t Capcom’s first rodeo in offering paid content within the Monster Hunter series.

Launching globally on February 28 at the stroke of midnight EST, Monster Hunter Wilds was no stranger to the limelight. Its review embargo lifted just four days before launch, allowing the game to bask in praise, with scores averaging 89 on OpenCritic and securing a “Mighty” rating and a 95% recommendation rate. The review copies lacked microtransactions, but the day-one edition introduced an abundance of them.

These in-game purchases have caught the attention of some players, as the available Monster Hunter Wilds DLC includes more than just cosmetic flair. The game implements a voucher system for character and Palico edits, sold in packs of three for $6.99. However, Palico vouchers can’t be used on characters and vice versa, meaning each needs its own set. Initially, you get one voucher for free but any further modifications will cost you.

Despite the voucher-based system, there are still free editing options. You can access the Appearance menu in the tent to make changes like altering hair or fur color and switching clothing. However, significant changes made at the start will need a voucher to revisit.

The series veterans won’t find this system entirely alien. Monster Hunter World and Rise had a similar setup, requiring paid tokens for making specific edits. It seems the community has grown accustomed to this style, but other areas of the game remain a hot topic. The PC version is particularly under fire for performance issues, even though its console counterparts receive high praise with impressive ratings in both PlayStation and Xbox stores.

Despite the mixed reviews on Steam, Monster Hunter Wilds is flying high on the sales charts. Shortly after its debut, it peaked at over 1.3 million concurrent players, setting a record as one of the platform’s most popular titles. While the microtransactions and PC performance issues have stirred the pot, these have not dampened the game’s initial success.