The action-packed RPG, Monster Hunter Wilds, is undoubtedly one of the standout releases of 2025. Fans of Monster Hunter have had no shortage of content recently, but it’s been a while since Capcom crafted a game in the franchise specifically for home consoles. The previous mainline entry, 2021’s Monster Hunter Rise, was critically acclaimed but initially launched solely on the Nintendo Switch. Unlike its predecessor, Monster Hunter Wilds serves as the worthy successor to 2018’s Monster Hunter: World, once again returning the series to home consoles.
Excitement around Monster Hunter Wilds has been building, and the reviews that hit the internet just days before its release have been overwhelmingly positive. With an 89/100 Top Critic Average and a 95% Critics Recommend rating on OpenCritic, the game is certainly making waves. Over on Metacritic, it boasts a strong 90/100 for the PlayStation 5 version. These impressive scores make it the highest-rated game of 2025 so far, with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 by Warhorse Studios trailing slightly. While Monster Hunter Wilds’ success is impressive, it doesn’t quite take the crown as the highest-rated title in the Monster Hunter series.
The Monster Hunter franchise has a rich history, stretching back over 20 years, making it one of Capcom’s most enduring creations. There are now 17 main series entries, not counting expansions and re-releases, many of which are spin-offs. While the series has long been adored in Japan, its early entries struggled to capture the hearts of Western audiences, partly due to lukewarm critical receptions abroad. For instance, the original Monster Hunter from 2004 received a modest 68/100 on Metacritic, and the PSP-exclusive Monster Hunter Freedom 2 only managed a 72/100.
It wasn’t until 2009’s Monster Hunter 3 that the series caught the attention of Western critics, earning a respectable 84/100 on Metacritic. Initially, Monster Hunter 4 didn’t make it to Western shores, but its enhanced version, Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate, graced the global stage in 2015 and garnered even higher praise with an 86/100 on both OpenCritic and Metacritic. Around the same time, fans enjoyed Monster Hunter Generations on the 3DS, which scored an impressive 85/100 across major review sites.
When Monster Hunter: World launched in 2018 for the PS4 and Xbox One, it marked a turning point for the franchise. The game received an incredible 90/100 Top Critic Average and a compelling 96% Critics Recommend score on OpenCritic, alongside a 90/100 on Metacritic. Its expansion, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, maintained similar scores, sealing the game’s reputation as the highest-rated installment in the series. Although Monster Hunter Wilds comes close, it narrowly falls short of World’s lofty rating, sitting a point behind on OpenCritic’s metrics.
Despite this, Monster Hunter Wilds stands proud as the second-highest-rated title in the series, and it’s poised to be a contender for Game of the Year come 2025. Its contribution to the franchise’s legacy is undeniable, and it’s set to keep fans engaged with new updates, including a formidable new monster coming in April. Whether you’re a long-standing fan or a newcomer to the series, there’s never been a better time to dive into the captivating universe of Monster Hunter.
