The developer behind Palworld, Pocketpair, has graciously given its staff a day off to enjoy the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. As reported by Automaton, the Japanese studio announced on social media that a number of its employees mysteriously claimed they would be "feeling unwell" on the game's release day, February 28. In a light-hearted gesture, Pocketpair declared this day a sort of holiday for its staff, although the studio assured fans that this would not impact updates on their own games.
Monster Hunter Wilds has had a phenomenal launch, amassing 1 million concurrent players on Steam, which has propelled it into the top 10 most-played games of all time on the platform. This impressive start has seen it outpace notable titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Hogwarts Legacy, and Elden Ring. Despite its success, the game has received a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam, prompting Capcom to release official guidance on PC performance issues. Additionally, Capcom has teased the first title update, which will introduce an endgame social hub for players.
The impact of Monster Hunter Wilds' release is felt worldwide, with a particularly strong effect in its home market of Japan. One indie developer humorously noted on social media that they hadn't sold a single game on Steam since Monster Hunter Wilds launched. This isn't the first time Pocketpair has given its employees time off to enjoy a new game; they did the same for FromSoftware's Elden Ring in 2022.
To help you embark on your Monster Hunter Wilds journey, check out our guide on what the game doesn't tell you, along with a comprehensive overview of all 14 weapon types available. We're also working on a detailed walkthrough and a multiplayer guide to help you play with friends. If you participated in one of the open betas, learn how to transfer your Monster Hunter Wilds Beta character over.
IGN's review of Monster Hunter Wilds awarded it an 8/10, stating, "Monster Hunter Wilds continues to smooth off the rougher corners of the series in smart ways, making for some extremely fun fights but also lacking any real challenge."
