January 26 is a big day for the Monster Hunter community. It is the 7th anniversary of the release of Monster Hunter World, Capcom’s best-selling game to date. The game was originally released in 2018 with console users getting the game several months ahead of PC gamers. The first title in the 5th generation quickly became beloved among the series’ player base, drawing in many new players to the series. With how impactful the game continues to be, it’s important to take a step back and fondly look at its legacy, especially since Wilds is on the way.
The Impact of Monster Hunter World
For many hunters, like myself, Monster Hunter World (MHW) was their introduction to the wonderful and dangerous world that Capcom created. This can be seen by the sheer number of units of the game that have been sold compared to its predecessors. In March of 2024, MHW reached the massive milestone of having over 25 million units sold worldwide. That only considers the base game, not the Iceborne expansion. The fact that the game continues to reach new heights shows just how beloved it has become in the hunter community.
Hunters around the world have been able to take down monsters ranging from the humble Great Jagras to the mysterious Xeno’jiiva thanks to the content that the base game brought. Of course, the game also introduced the ever-beloved Nergigante, the flagship of the base game. Event quests, which have become permanent additions to the game, brought characters and beings from The Witcher and Final Fantasy into the fray. Extreme Behemoth is still considered one of the hardest fights in MHW to this day.
Iceborne’s Chilling Additions to the Game
Speaking of difficult battles, Iceborne, released on September 6, 2019, for consoles and January 9, 2020, for PC, brought even more action-packed and dangerous missions. Beloved flagship monsters like Nargacuga, Glavenus, and Brachydios made stylish appearances, much to the delight of many hunters. Iceborne, of course, has its own flagship in the form of Velkhana, which is aptly also called the Iceborne Wyvern. The battle against this beautiful being is one of grace, power, and an ever-stabbing sharp tail. However, it is still enjoyable for many hunters, as is its theme song.
Of course, you can’t talk about Iceborne without the infamous battles between Alatreon and Fatalis, two beings so dangerous and threatening that their very existence is kept secret by the Hunter’s Guild. The battle against each of these giant foes is intense, painful, and oftentimes frustrating due to their sheer overwhelming power. However, this is just what hunters expect from post-game content, and Capcom definitely delivered. That’s exactly why Monster Hunter World continues to be Capcom’s best-selling game to date. With how popular the game still is, it might still reach new sales milestones in the years ahead.
Looking Ahead to Wilds & Beyond
At the moment, it’s unknown if the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds will dethrone World in terms of unit sales. In fact, people still jokingly refer to Wilds as Monster Hunter World 2. However, the first title in the sixth generation has great potential to come out on top during this turf war between titles. Hunters around the world, including myself, are very eager to get their hands on the game. In my case, I cannot wait to swing and slash with my Switch Axe or flip and fly with my Insect Glaive. Thankfully, for IG users, Capcom has given our beloved aerial combos back. With that being said, I’ll see my fellow hunters on February 28.
