Capcom has every reason to celebrate! The highly anticipated Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in the beloved monster-hunting franchise, launched on Friday (28) and has already set a major milestone—hitting 1 million concurrent players on Steam.
Now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, the game delivers a thrilling new adventure with stunning visuals, improved mechanics, and an expansive open world to explore. Fans had high expectations leading up to its release, and so far, Monster Hunter Wilds seems to be living up to the hype.
Monster Hunter Wilds Success on Steam
According to SteamDB, Monster Hunter Wilds hit 1.3 million concurrent players on its launch day, making it the sixth most-played game in Steam history.
To put this achievement into perspective, Monster Hunter: World held the previous franchise record, which peaked at 334,684 players. In just a few hours, Wilds nearly quadrupled that number.
The game also surpassed other recent blockbusters like Elden Ring (953,426 players) and Hogwarts Legacy (879,308). And these figures only account for PC players—not counting those on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
With the weekend ahead, Monster Hunter Wilds could climb even higher, possibly breaking the 2 million concurrent players mark. If that happens, it will enter Steam’s Top 3 most-played games ever, alongside:
- PUBG – 3.2 million players
- Black Myth: Wukong – 2.4 million players
- Palworld – 2.1 million players
For Capcom, these numbers are a huge success, showing the game’s potential to become one of the company’s biggest hits. Monster Hunter: World (2018) and its Iceborne expansion sold over 41 million copies, while Monster Hunter Rise (2021) and its Sunbreak expansion reached nearly 25 million copies. With Wilds off to such an incredible start, it could set new records for the franchise very well.
Monster Hunter Wilds Review
Monster Hunter Wilds makes a strong impression with its breathtaking visuals and expansive open world, teeming with awe-inspiring creatures to hunt. The refined gameplay and smoother combat mechanics create a more fluid and approachable experience, especially for newcomers.
One of the game’s biggest strengths is the freedom to explore alongside intense, dynamic battles against massive beasts. The deep weapon and armor crafting system adds another layer of excitement, while the improved AI—both for monsters and hunting companions—makes encounters feel more strategic and lifelike.
However, the emphasis on accessibility might not sit well with long-time fans, as the challenge level feels a bit toned down compared to previous entries. Additionally, the storyline can start to feel repetitive midway through the game.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Monster Hunter Wilds is a must-play for fans and an excellent entry point for those new to the series.
