Monster Hunter Wilds Open Beta Draws Massive Player Engagement Amid Graphical Glitches

The launch of the open beta for Monster Hunter Wilds has generated significant excitement among players, drawing in a remarkable number of participants on Steam. Despite some graphical issues that have emerged, the game's initial reception suggests a bright future ahead. The open beta, which began for PS Plus members on PS5 a few days ago, has now expanded to Xbox Series X|S and PC platforms. Earlier estimates hinted at high interest, with over 23,000 users already engaged with the game before it formally opened. However, once the beta transitioned into a more playable state, interest surged, with concurrent player numbers reaching an impressive 463,798, as reported by SteamDB.

This peak occurred shortly after the official release and may continue to grow throughout the weekend, particularly across different time zones. This success is a significant milestone for Capcom, yet there have been challenges. Social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter are rife with images depicting various characters and creatures transformed into simplistic, low-poly forms reminiscent of early gaming graphics. For instance, the large Chatacabra creature appears less intimidating when rendered into an unrecognizable mass of green and brown, while some human characters resemble unsettling caricatures with awkwardly flattened features. Currently, players grappling with these visual glitches have found no straightforward solutions.

One reported user shared that attempts to restore the textures through various methods—such as file verification and reinstallation—yielded little improvement, although adjusting graphic settings to their highest levels did provide some partial fixes. Others commented that reinstalling drivers had a temporary effect, but the problems resurfaced upon rebooting the game. As the beta progresses, it is hoped that the underlying issues will be resolved before the game’s official launch. If not, it is reassuring that these glitches have been identified early on in the testing phase. After investing many hours in Monster Hunter World, the experience of the Monster Hunter Wilds beta can be likened to trying on a new pair of shoes: it feels exciting and fresh, but it may take some time to adjust comfortably.

Mariana Rocha 04 Nov 2024