Controversial Microtransactions Stir Debate in Monster Hunter Wilds

In the latest installment of the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom has introduced character and Palico edit vouchers as part of its downloadable content (DLC). While these vouchers are primarily available for purchase, each player is given a freebie for both character and Palico alterations. Interestingly, routine adjustments don’t always require a voucher.

Veterans of the franchise might find this familiar, as both Monster Hunter World and Rise implemented similar systems. Although this format sparked some discontent, it’s not entirely uncharted territory for long-time players.

Since its global debut on February 28, Monster Hunter Wilds has received mixed reactions, particularly surrounding its microtransactions. The controversy, however, hasn’t reached a boiling point, perhaps because long-time fans are accustomed to seeing paid content in previous releases. The initial player reaction hasn’t overshadowed the game’s success, as evidenced by its strong “Mighty” rating on the review aggregator OpenCritic, where it boasts an average score of 89 and a recommendation rate of 95%. Prior to the official launch, review copies didn’t feature microtransactions, which only arrived with the game’s day-one version.

The release has rekindled debate within the community, especially over the choice to charge for repeated uses of certain features. This includes the character and Palico editing vouchers, which Capcom sells in packs of three for $6.99. The game provides one complimentary voucher of each kind, but any further alterations require a purchase. However, some changes can be made without these vouchers, like tweaking hairstyles or clothing through the Appearance menu in the player’s tent.

A little context might help here: the games Monster Hunter: World and Rise used a similar voucher system for character edits, so it’s possible that the player base is more or less used to it now. Negative feedback about the number of DLCs is present but not overwhelming, at least when it comes to user reviews on Steam. Interestingly, the console versions of Monster Hunter Wilds seem to fare better with users, holding strong ratings on platforms like the PlayStation and Xbox stores.

Despite the brouhaha over its monetization strategy and technical hiccups, especially on PC, Monster Hunter Wilds has still soared on Steam. Shortly after its release, the game hit a peak with over 1.3 million players concurrently hunting together, marking its spot as one of Steam’s most played games ever. Such milestones underline its standing popularity despite any points of contention.