The developer revealed that Monster Hunter Wilds has moved 10.7 million copies since its launch on February 27. Despite these impressive numbers, the latest installment is losing ground by the earlier game from four years ago, Monster Hunter Rise, which outperformed by around 150,000 copies in Capcom's previous fiscal quarter.
Sales Comparison Between the Two Titles
At the end of June, Capcom reported Monster Hunter Wilds had sold about 10.5 million copies. Now, the total stands at 10.7 million. Meanwhile, Monster Hunter Rise had reached 17.5 million by the end of June and currently sits at 17.8 million. It's well known that Monster Hunter games typically sell steadily over time. For instance, Rise shipped 7.5 million units in the initial half-year, but needed two years plus releases on multiple platforms to hit 12 million. Nevertheless, it's unusual for an older series entry to perform better than a fresh title, particularly in the early post-release period.
Community Feedback and Frequent Criticisms
The company remained silent on this anomaly in its financial report. However, a brief review at fan discussions across platforms offers clues into the preference for earlier games. Frequent complaints include:
- Large maps with no exploration incentives
- Gameplay viewed as simplistic by experienced players
- Weak endgame content
- Minimal challenge and advancement feeling
- Persistent technical problems for PC users
Post-Launch Support Comparison
Above all, infrequent post-release support is notable. The developer provided a regular update schedule for Monster Hunter Rise after its debut. When it hit 7.5 million sales in September 2021, Rise had received six major patches that added fresh creatures, enhanced challenge options, and weekly quests. During a comparable period, Wilds has had five patches, including minor cosmetic additions or minor adjustments to current content.
Sure, some of Rise's updates only included collaboration events, but Wilds hasn't had many of those. Rise included Mega Man, Okami, Street Fighter, and Monster Hunter Stories events in the initial months. Wilds has seen just a Street Fighter event and a Final Fantasy XIV crossover.
It's been four months since a new creature was introduced to Wilds, and only three fresh critters have been added since launch. Rise received three additional creatures in its second month and more following the PC launch. The company revealed Rise's expansion, Sunbreak, in the autumn of 2021, and no signs have emerged of a Wilds expansion yet. The message is clear.
