One of the standout “apps” currently making waves on Steam’s most played charts is the newly released benchmarking tool for Monster Hunter Wilds. This testing suite launched following the Capcom Spotlight livestream, during which the developers revealed additional information about the upcoming game and the next beta phase.
If you’ve used benchmarking tools on PC before, this one’s pretty intuitive. However, what makes it interesting is the timing of its release.
The buzz around this release is big because as of February 6, the first session of the second Monster Hunter Wilds beta kicks off. While the benchmarking tool reflects the final launch code, the beta doesn’t. This means you might notice smoother performance in the benchmark tool compared to what you’ll experience in the beta.
Back in January, Capcom alerted players that the beta would be an older version of the game. Many will recognize it as the build we played last year, albeit with a few enhancements.
The beta includes a story introduction that features a battle with Doshaguma, and offers an opportunity to face Gypceros. The exciting addition, however, is an advanced quest that lets you go head-to-head with the game’s flagship monster, Arkveld.
Capcom has also introduced a training area for this beta, and you can now create private lobbies. Monster Hunter Wilds supports cross-play, and this feature will be available during the beta period. In addition, you can begin your adventure solo in online mode, allowing others to join you via a flare—a perfect blend of solo and multiplayer gameplay.
The first session of this open beta is available until Sunday, February 9. It will return for one last time from Thursday, February 13, before wrapping up on Sunday, February 16. While your progress won’t transfer to the full game, you can carry over your custom character. So, this is a good time to spend a bit of time fine-tuning your character and Palico before the full release.
Monster Hunter titles are known for their challenging gameplay, but Wilds seems to be refining that experience, making one wonder if there’s potential for a laid-back, Stardew Valley-type spin-off.
