Monster Hunter World, the fifth main installment in the Monster Hunter series, has taken the gaming world by storm since its release in 2018. This action-packed RPG has captivated gamers of all levels, from casual players to hardcore hunters, with its rich storyline, stunning visuals, and addictive gameplay. However, one question remains on every player’s mind: how many hours does it take to beat Monster Hunter World? In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the game’s length, exploring the various aspects that contribute to the overall playtime.
The Main Story: A Long and Winding Road
The main storyline of Monster Hunter World is a significant part of the game, and its length varies depending on the player’s skill level and playing style. On average, completing the main story takes around 30-40 hours, although this can be shorter or longer depending on how quickly you progress through the game.
The main story is divided into several key quests, each with its own unique challenges and objectives. These quests are designed to introduce players to the game’s mechanics, teaching them how to hunt, craft, and survive in the New World. As you progress through the story, the quests become increasingly difficult, requiring more skill, strategy, and patience.
One of the most significant factors that affect the main story’s length is the player’s ability to complete optional quests and side activities. These optional quests, known as “Optional Quests” and “Bounties,” offer additional challenges, rewards, and insight into the game’s world and characters. While they’re not essential to completing the main story, they do contribute to the overall playtime.
The Post-Game Content: Where the Real Challenge Begins
Once you’ve completed the main story, the real challenge begins. The post-game content in Monster Hunter World is where the game truly shines, offering a wealth of new quests, monsters, and challenges. This is where the game’s length can balloon to 60-80 hours or more, depending on how dedicated you are to completing every quest, hunting every monster, and crafting every item.
The post-game content includes:
- High-Rank Quests: These quests offer more challenging versions of the main story quests, with tougher monsters and better rewards.
- Event Quests: Limited-time quests that offer unique challenges and rewards. These quests often feature special collaborations with other franchises, such as Horizon Zero Dawn or The Witcher.
- Investigations: These quests involve hunting specific monsters under unique conditions, such as hunting a monster with a specific weapon or during a specific time of day.
The Impact of Difficulty and Player Skill
One of the most significant factors that affect the game’s length is the player’s skill level and the difficulty setting. Playing on higher difficulties, such as “Hard” or “Extreme,” can significantly increase the game’s length, as monsters become tougher, and battles become longer and more challenging.
Players who are new to the Monster Hunter series or action RPGs in general may find themselves struggling with the game’s mechanics, leading to longer playtimes as they learn and adapt. Conversely, experienced players may be able to breeze through the game, completing quests and hunting monsters with ease.
Tips and Strategies for Reducing Playtime
If you’re looking to reduce your playtime, here are a few tips and strategies to keep in mind:
- Focus on the main story: While optional quests and side activities can be rewarding, they can also add significant time to your playthrough. Focus on completing the main story quests to get the most out of your playtime.
- Choose the right gear: Having the right gear, including weapons, armor, and decorations, can make a significant difference in your hunting efficiency. Experiment with different gear sets to find what works best for you.
- Learn from your mistakes: Analyze your battles, identifying areas for improvement and adjusting your strategy accordingly. This will help you complete quests more quickly and efficiently.
The Time-Sinking Potential of Collectibles and Crafting
Monster Hunter World is notorious for its extensive crafting system, which allows players to craft armor, weapons, and decorations from resources gathered during hunts. Crafting and collecting resources can be a significant time sink, especially for players who strive for perfection or want to acquire every item in the game.
The game’s crafting system is complex, with multiple layers of complexity, including:
- Gathering resources: Players must gather resources, such as ore, wood, and monster parts, to craft new items.
- Crafting gear: Players must craft gear, such as weapons and armor, using the resources they’ve gathered.
- Upgrading gear: Players can upgrade their gear, increasing its stats and effectiveness, using additional resources.
While crafting and collecting resources can be a fun and rewarding aspect of the game, it can also add significant time to your playthrough.
Managing Your Time: Prioritizing Activities
To manage your time effectively in Monster Hunter World, it’s essential to prioritize your activities, focusing on the most important tasks and quests. Here are a few tips to help you manage your time:
- Set goals: Set specific goals for each play session, such as completing a particular quest or crafting a specific item.
- Prioritize quests: Prioritize quests based on their importance and difficulty, completing the most challenging quests first.
- Take breaks: Take regular breaks to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy gaming habit.
By prioritizing your activities and managing your time effectively, you can reduce your playtime and focus on the aspects of the game that you enjoy the most.
Conclusion: The True Length of Monster Hunter World
So, how many hours does it take to beat Monster Hunter World? The answer is complex, depending on a variety of factors, including the player’s skill level, difficulty setting, and playstyle. On average, completing the main story takes around 30-40 hours, while completing the post-game content can take 60-80 hours or more.
However, for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the game’s world, completing every quest, hunting every monster, and crafting every item, the playtime can balloon to 100 hours or more.
Ultimately, the true length of Monster Hunter World is subjective, depending on the player’s level of dedication and commitment to the game. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore hunter, Monster Hunter World offers an engaging, challenging, and rewarding experience that will keep you coming back for more.
How long does it take to beat the main storyline in Monster Hunter World?
The main storyline in Monster Hunter World can be completed in around 40-50 hours, depending on the player’s skill level and playstyle. This timeframe assumes the player will be completing the main quests and nothing else. However, it’s worth noting that the game has a lot more to offer beyond the main storyline, and players who want to explore everything the game has to offer can expect to spend many more hours playing.
Completing the main storyline will give players a good understanding of the game’s mechanics and world, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are many optional quests, side quests, and post-game content that can add dozens of hours to the overall playtime. Players who want to complete everything the game has to offer should be prepared to spend at least 100 hours or more playing.
What is the post-game content like in Monster Hunter World?
The post-game content in Monster Hunter World is where the game truly shines. After completing the main storyline, players will have access to a whole new set of quests, monsters, and activities. The post-game content is designed to challenge even the most experienced players, with tougher monsters and more complex quests.
The post-game content also includes new events and collaborations with other franchises, which adds a lot of replay value to the game. Players can expect to spend dozens of hours completing the post-game content, and even then, there will still be new challenges and activities to look forward to. The post-game content is a major part of what makes Monster Hunter World so engaging and addictive.
How many hours does it take to reach the maximum level cap in Monster Hunter World?
Reaching the maximum level cap in Monster Hunter World can take around 100-150 hours, depending on the player’s skill level and playstyle. This assumes the player will be completing quests, hunting monsters, and collecting resources to upgrade their gear and skills.
Reaching the maximum level cap requires a lot of dedication and effort, but it’s worth it for players who want to experience the game at its fullest. Along the way, players will have to complete challenging quests, hunt tough monsters, and collect rare resources. The journey to the maximum level cap is a long one, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
Can I play Monster Hunter World with friends?
Yes, Monster Hunter World has a robust multiplayer mode that allows players to team up with friends and take on challenging quests and monsters together. Playing with friends can be a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to experience the game’s co-op content.
Playing with friends also makes the game easier, as players can work together to take down tough monsters and share resources. The multiplayer mode is easy to use, and players can join or create groups with ease. Monster Hunter World’s multiplayer mode is one of its strongest features, and it adds a lot of replay value to the game.
Is Monster Hunter World worth playing if I’m new to the series?
Yes, Monster Hunter World is an excellent entry point for new players to the series. The game’s tutorial and early quests do an excellent job of introducing players to the game’s mechanics and world. New players will have no trouble jumping in and starting their monster-hunting journey.
Monster Hunter World also has a lot of Quality of Life improvements that make it more accessible to new players. The game’s UI is more intuitive, and the controls are more responsive than ever before. New players will find it easy to get started and begin their adventure in the world of Monster Hunter.
How many monsters are there in Monster Hunter World?
Monster Hunter World has a total of 94 large monsters, as well as many smaller creatures and enemies. Each monster has its own unique abilities, weaknesses, and characteristics, making the game’s monster roster incredibly diverse and rich.
Hunting and defeating these monsters is the core of the Monster Hunter World experience, and players will have to develop strategies and tactics to take them down. With so many monsters to hunt, players will have a lot of variety and replayability in the game.
Is Monster Hunter World available on PC?
Yes, Monster Hunter World is available on PC, as well as on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. The PC version of the game is identical to the console versions, with the same content, quests, and features.
The PC version also has some exclusive features, such as better graphics and performance, as well as support for keyboard and mouse controls. Players who prefer playing on PC will find Monster Hunter World to be an excellent addition to their gaming library.