Monster Hunter: World (MHW) is an action-packed role-playing game developed by Capcom, where players embark on thrilling adventures to hunt and slay fearsome monsters in a vast open world. Since its release in 2018, the game has garnered a massive following worldwide, with many players eager to dive into the world of Astera and explore its vast wilderness. One of the most common questions among new players is: how long is the MHW base game? In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the game’s length, exploring the various factors that influence gameplay duration and providing tips for players to make the most of their experience.
Understanding the Game’s Structure
Before we dive into the game’s length, it’s essential to understand the structure of MHW. The game is divided into several key components:
Main Story Quests
The main story quests are the primary narrative-driven missions that propel the player through the game’s storyline. These quests are designed to introduce players to the game’s mechanics, characters, and world, and they provide a sense of progression and accomplishment.
Optional Quests and Side Quests
Optional quests and side quests offer additional challenges and rewards, allowing players to explore the game’s world, characters, and mechanics in more depth. These quests can be completed at the player’s leisure and provide a wealth of experience points, items, and resources.
Investigations and Expeditions
Investigations and expeditions are types of quests that allow players to explore the game’s world, gather resources, and hunt monsters in a more free-form manner. These quests provide a sense of freedom and flexibility, enabling players to play the game at their own pace.
Factors Influencing Gameplay Duration
Several factors can influence the length of time it takes to complete the MHW base game. These include:
Player Skill Level
Players with prior experience in action RPGs or the Monster Hunter series may find the game easier to navigate, completing quests and defeating monsters more quickly. In contrast, new players may take longer to adjust to the game’s mechanics and difficulty curve.
Playstyle
Players who focus on completing main story quests and optional quests may progress through the game more quickly than those who spend more time exploring the game’s world, gathering resources, and engaging in investigations and expeditions.
Difficulty Level
The game’s difficulty level can significantly impact gameplay duration. Players who choose to play on higher difficulty levels may need to repeat quests or spend more time preparing for battles, increasing the overall gameplay time.
Estimated Gameplay Time
So, how long is the MHW base game? The estimated gameplay time can vary significantly depending on the factors mentioned above. However, here are some rough estimates based on player feedback and reviews:
- Completing the main story quests: 40-60 hours
- Completing the main story quests and optional quests: 80-120 hours
- Completing the main story quests, optional quests, and investigations: 150-200 hours
- 100% completion (including all quests, investigations, and expeditions): 250-300 hours
Additional Content and Updates
It’s worth noting that Capcom has released several updates and expansions for MHW, including the Iceborne expansion, which adds a significant amount of new content to the game. These updates can increase the overall gameplay time, providing players with even more challenges, quests, and activities to enjoy.
Tips for Maximizing Gameplay Time
If you’re looking to get the most out of your MHW experience, here are some tips to help you maximize your gameplay time:
- Explore the game’s world: Take time to explore the game’s vast open world, gathering resources, discovering new locations, and encountering new monsters.
- Complete optional quests and side quests: These quests provide additional challenges, rewards, and story context, enriching your overall gameplay experience.
- Participate in investigations and expeditions: These quests offer a sense of freedom and flexibility, allowing you to play the game at your own pace and explore the world in more depth.
- Join a multiplayer session: Playing with friends or other players can add a new layer of excitement and challenge to the game, increasing your overall gameplay time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the length of the MHW base game can vary significantly depending on several factors, including player skill level, playstyle, and difficulty level. However, with estimates ranging from 40-300 hours, there’s no denying that MHW offers a rich and immersive gameplay experience that can keep players engaged for dozens of hours. By exploring the game’s world, completing optional quests, participating in investigations and expeditions, and joining multiplayer sessions, players can maximize their gameplay time and get the most out of their MHW experience.
What is the average base game length of Monster Hunter: World?
The average base game length of Monster Hunter: World can vary depending on several factors, including the player’s skill level and playstyle. However, based on data from various sources, the average completion time for the base game is around 40-60 hours. This includes completing the main storyline, defeating all the main bosses, and completing some of the side quests.
It’s worth noting that this time can vary significantly depending on how much time the player spends on side quests, exploring the environment, and grinding for resources. Additionally, players who are new to the series may take longer to complete the game due to the learning curve. On the other hand, experienced players may be able to complete the game faster.
How long does it take to complete the main storyline of Monster Hunter: World?
The main storyline of Monster Hunter: World can be completed in around 20-30 hours, depending on the player’s skill level and playstyle. This includes completing all the main quests and defeating the main bosses. However, this time can vary depending on how much time the player spends on side quests and exploring the environment.
It’s worth noting that the main storyline is just one part of the overall game experience. Players can spend many more hours completing side quests, grinding for resources, and exploring the environment. Additionally, the game has a lot of replay value, with many players completing the game multiple times to try out different playstyles and characters.
What factors affect the base game length of Monster Hunter: World?
Several factors can affect the base game length of Monster Hunter: World, including the player’s skill level and playstyle. Players who are new to the series may take longer to complete the game due to the learning curve, while experienced players may be able to complete the game faster. Additionally, the amount of time spent on side quests, exploring the environment, and grinding for resources can also impact the overall game length.
The game’s difficulty level can also impact the base game length. Players who choose to play on higher difficulty levels may take longer to complete the game due to the increased challenge. On the other hand, players who choose to play on lower difficulty levels may be able to complete the game faster.
How does the base game length of Monster Hunter: World compare to other games in the series?
The base game length of Monster Hunter: World is comparable to other games in the series. However, it’s worth noting that the game has a lot more content than previous games in the series, including a larger open world and more quests. This means that players can spend many more hours exploring the environment and completing quests.
In comparison to other action RPGs, the base game length of Monster Hunter: World is relatively long. Many action RPGs have base game lengths of around 20-40 hours, while Monster Hunter: World can take 40-60 hours or more to complete. This makes it a great value for players who are looking for a game with a lot of content.
Can I complete the base game of Monster Hunter: World in under 40 hours?
Yes, it is possible to complete the base game of Monster Hunter: World in under 40 hours. However, this will require a high level of skill and a focused playstyle. Players who are experienced with the series and have a good understanding of the game mechanics can complete the game quickly.
To complete the game in under 40 hours, players will need to focus on completing the main quests and defeating the main bosses. They will also need to avoid spending too much time on side quests and exploring the environment. Additionally, players will need to choose the right difficulty level and playstyle to ensure that they can complete the game quickly.
How much time should I budget for completing the base game of Monster Hunter: World?
The amount of time you should budget for completing the base game of Monster Hunter: World will depend on your skill level and playstyle. However, as a general rule, it’s a good idea to budget at least 40-60 hours to complete the game. This will give you enough time to complete the main quests, defeat the main bosses, and explore the environment.
If you’re new to the series, you may want to budget more time to complete the game. This will give you time to learn the game mechanics and get used to the gameplay. On the other hand, if you’re an experienced player, you may be able to complete the game faster.
Are there any tips for completing the base game of Monster Hunter: World quickly?
Yes, there are several tips for completing the base game of Monster Hunter: World quickly. One of the most important tips is to focus on completing the main quests and defeating the main bosses. This will help you progress through the game quickly and avoid getting bogged down in side quests and exploration.
Another tip is to choose the right difficulty level and playstyle. If you’re an experienced player, you may want to choose a higher difficulty level to challenge yourself and complete the game faster. Additionally, you can try to optimize your character build and equipment to make the game easier and faster to complete.