Seikret ruined the game

[Brondy]

I really tried to like the Seikret and I'll admit the riding mechanics are better compared to the Palamute in Rise. But honestly, I feel the Seikret has ruined the game.

From my experience with the beta, the gameplay seems to be:

-Open the map and select monster X as your target.
-Hop on the Seikret, which automatically guides you to monster X.
-Defeat monster X and collect rewards.
-Select the next monster X on the map and repeat.

Where exactly is the exploration in all this? The Seikret does all the traveling for you.
Want to gather resources? You can do it with the grappling hook while the Seikret guides you.

Part of Monster Hunter's charm was actively tracking the monsters, studying their behavior, and savoring each hunt as a unique experience. Automating everything, from travel to hunting, makes it feel too linear and less immersive.

The game has turned into what many new-generation players wanted: an arena style monster battle rather than a true monster hunting simulator.

And now, if the monster escapes, all you have to do is hop back on the Seikret, which will automatically follow it 😢.

EDIT WARNING:
Anyone commenting "you can disable auto-guide" or "you can also walk on foot," please stop, you’re making yourself look ridiculous. It’s already been explained a thousand times why it doesn’t make sense to do that. Furthemore, there is no need to repeat the same thing over and over again because everyone knows how to turn off the auto-guide and how works.

[Kraehe]

Jesus christ some of you old gen Monster Hunters have gotten really bitter. "Back in my day we had to hunt monsters on foot and shoot paintballs at them to even track them!"

All that "Exploration" you are talking about in the past was running through different loading screens till you reach the zone with the monster. And you had to do that ONCE and then just remember the number of the zone it starts in. There was no studying the environment to find the thing. It might have felt like that because they were your initial MH experiences.
But maybe take off your nostalgia glasses and accept that a series has to move forward.
If they had remained on that same course the franchise might have died entirely now.

But hey, don´t like wilds? Play one of the titles you do like. If you REALLY don´t like it you´ll talk with your wallet and won´t buy it.

[Brondy]

Originally posted by Kraehe:

Jesus christ some of you old gen Monster Hunters have gotten really bitter. "Back in my day we had to hunt monsters on foot and shoot paintballs at them to even track them!"

All that "Exploration" you are talking about in the past was running through different loading screens till you reach the zone with the monster. And you had to do that ONCE and then just remember the number of the zone it starts in. There was no studying the environment to find the thing. It might have felt like that because they were your initial MH experiences.
But maybe take off your nostalgia glasses and accept that a series has to move forward.
If they had remained on that same course the franchise might have died entirely now.

But hey, don´t like wilds? Play one of the titles you do like. If you REALLY don´t like it you´ll talk with your wallet and won´t buy it.

The success of Monster Hunter is deeply rooted in its immersive gameplay, extensive exploration, and thoughtful pacing. To deny the importance of immersion in Monster Hunter is simply ridiculous and to say that the success is attributed to something else is foolish.

Also, to claim that the mount and map system are improvements that advance or modernize the game is misleading. Quite the opposite, in fact diverges from the very elements that made Monster Hunter successful in the first place.

On paper, even Monster Hunter: Wilds sells itself by thriving on these core elements, allowing players to fully engage with the environment, understand ecosystems, and prepare strategically for each hunt.

So the series hasn't "Progressed" as you say. Fortunately, not yet.

Reducing the game to a mere monster-fighting experience shows a lack of understanding and appreciation for its complexity. This perspective often aligns with the mindset of players more accustomed to fast-paced games like Fortnite, who may not grasp the depth and richness Monster Hunter offers.

Simply put, this is not a discussion between nostalgics and new players. The auto play feature is just a bad features for everyone!!

Those who try to portray it as a good thing for everyone are simply ridiculous and this is evident when you suggesting that only the nostalgics don't like it. It's not true because in fact don't like to anyone who is not a whining fanboy, as demonstrated so far.

[Mr. Von Grimmsy]

TLDR: I can see merits to both sides of this argument, but must say that exploration has never really been a main focus. I think this stems from the game's origins as a mission-based 'ARPG' more than anything.

---

I've been playing MH since the very first game until now, including all the PSP games, some of the JP titles, bought a Gamecube & WiiU to keep up w/ the series, and I have even played MHFrontiers a bit (though the last was more recently on private servers, tbh);

'Exploration' - as in needing to discover new things and figure out where things are - has existed in MH since the first game; however, the caveat here is that once you found out where things/monsters were, the need to explore was largely finished; any random element was completely absent. (You could even cobble together an Autotracker set in MH1 with a weird mismatch of armor pieces, if you really wanted to)

MHDos mixed this up a bit by adding seasons and a day/night cycle (and I'm pretty sure it was the first game to add 'Expedition'-style missions? Those that were finished with a ticket to the delivery box - I couldn't read Japanese to be sure what they were originally called ) which could affect item/monster spawns and even block or allow access to certain areas. Yet these changes only slightly prolonged the inevitable outcome of remembering where everything would be!

Treasure Hunt missions were another thing altogether with fresh item pools (and man I really miss those, they were tons of fun!), but even these still relied on knowledge of the areas that you'd likely have gained by the time you decided to tackle them.

But MHWorld is the first game that really made exploration worthwhile (endemic life was a huge part of this for me, personally!), and added a system that felt like legit tracking. I think MHWilds will include the same, as there are track items to find in the beta, as well as the paintball. I assume things were simplified to cater to newcomers trying the game out.

I'd say - if anything - mounts are actually pointing towards us having more options for exploration. They can traverse areas our hunter can't, opening up new venues of discovery!

[Cadaver]

You do need to keep in mind that for the demo the whole map and monster info except for Rey Dau was unlocked, meaning that we didnt have to explore in the demo, in the full game you will have to first find these areas and research the monsters before you can easily track them on the map. its just a time saving measure for testing

As for Farming resources i need to hugely disagree, the tedium of grabbing resources and how clunky it felt has always imo been MHs biggest weakness, the dynamicism of the new way of remote grappling items along with your handler finallly being useful and grabbing items too is just massive QOL

And the seikret pathing doesnt just open up the possibility for more complex monster retreats and routing but opened up mounted combat.

MH is slowly moving towards Hunters becoming Riders and thats a good thing.

[Tenz]

Originally posted by Brondy:

I really tried to like the Seikret and I'll admit the riding mechanics are better compared to the Palamute in Rise. But honestly, I feel the Seikret has ruined the game.

From my experience with the beta, the gameplay seems to be:

-Open the map and select monster X as your target.
-Hop on the Seikret, which automatically guides you to monster X.
-Defeat monster X and collect rewards.
-Select the next monster X on the map and repeat.

Where exactly is the exploration in all this? The Seikret does all the traveling for you.
Want to gather resources? You can do it with the grappling hook while the Seikret guides you.

Part of Monster Hunter's charm was actively tracking the monsters, studying their behavior, and savoring each hunt as a unique experience. Automating everything, from travel to hunting, makes it feel too linear and less immersive.

The game has turned into what many new-generation players wanted: an arena style monster battle rather than a true monster hunting simulator.

And now, if the monster escapes, all you have to do is hop back on the Seikret, which will automatically follow it 😢.

EDIT WARNING:
Anyone commenting "you can disable auto-guide" or "you can also walk on foot," please stop, you’re making yourself look ridiculous. It’s already been explained a thousand times why it doesn’t make sense to do that. Furthemore, there is no need to repeat the same thing over and over again because everyone knows how to turn off the auto-guide and how works.

Rise did it better, that's for sure. And wilds would feel way better without the mount.

Starting a petition for capcom to change the game to its core 4 months out from release because it has something I dont like here's the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB7CDrVnNCs

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by Tenz:

Originally posted by Brondy:

I really tried to like the Seikret and I'll admit the riding mechanics are better compared to the Palamute in Rise. But honestly, I feel the Seikret has ruined the game.

From my experience with the beta, the gameplay seems to be:

-Open the map and select monster X as your target.
-Hop on the Seikret, which automatically guides you to monster X.
-Defeat monster X and collect rewards.
-Select the next monster X on the map and repeat.

Where exactly is the exploration in all this? The Seikret does all the traveling for you.
Want to gather resources? You can do it with the grappling hook while the Seikret guides you.

Part of Monster Hunter's charm was actively tracking the monsters, studying their behavior, and savoring each hunt as a unique experience. Automating everything, from travel to hunting, makes it feel too linear and less immersive.

The game has turned into what many new-generation players wanted: an arena style monster battle rather than a true monster hunting simulator.

And now, if the monster escapes, all you have to do is hop back on the Seikret, which will automatically follow it 😢.

EDIT WARNING:
Anyone commenting "you can disable auto-guide" or "you can also walk on foot," please stop, you’re making yourself look ridiculous. It’s already been explained a thousand times why it doesn’t make sense to do that. Furthemore, there is no need to repeat the same thing over and over again because everyone knows how to turn off the auto-guide and how works.

Rise did it better, that's for sure. And wilds would feel way better without the mount.

Starting a petition for capcom to change the game to its core 4 months out from release because it has something I dont like here's the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB7CDrVnNCs

Heavy disagree, the Mount is great, but i still signed your petition, good luck man

[Brondy]

Originally posted by Mr. Von Grimmsy:

I'd say - if anything - mounts are actually pointing towards us having more options for exploration. They can traverse areas our hunter can't, opening up new venues of discovery!

They can let you go anywhere, because that's the only way to explore the areas.
Seikret is not optional, and as others have said mounts are a symptom of a larger problem with maps.

Then if you add the "auto-play" feature to it...simply not defensible.

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by Brondy:

Originally posted by Mr. Von Grimmsy:

I'd say - if anything - mounts are actually pointing towards us having more options for exploration. They can traverse areas our hunter can't, opening up new venues of discovery!

They can let you go anywhere, because that's the only way to explore the areas.
Seikret is not optional, and as others have said mounts are a symptom of a larger problem with maps.

Then if you add the "auto-play" feature to it...simply not defensible.

Whats stopping you from just walking?

And what is the issue? the map was perfectly fine to me

[Hash]

The guy asking us to not tell him to "disable auto-walk"... that's exactly what I did from the very start, turned off the auto and had 10h of fun with the beta, instead of crying at a forum.

[Wookiee]

Its very easily defensible. The reason it exsist is cause the maps are so big, and there is so much to explore that it helps you traverse. It is not the developers fault you can't really shy away from unga bunga meta or no go.

I've already spent a decent amount exploring in the beta. And there is probably a lot of things i missed that i need to explore again. And not to mention it is really nice for inventory management, and two weapons for longer trip ^^

Im sorry you can't explorer cause you lack patient :(

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by Wookiee:

Originally posted by Brondy:

They can let you go anywhere, because that's the only way to explore the areas.
Seikret is not optional, and as others have said mounts are a symptom of a larger problem with maps.

Then if you add the "auto-play" feature to it...simply not defensible.

Its very easily defensible. The reason it exsist is cause the maps are so big, and there is so much to explore that it helps you traverse. It is not the developers fault you can't really shy away from unga bunga meta or no go.

I've already spent a decent amount exploring in the beta. And there is probably a lot of things i missed that i need to explore again. And not to mention it is really nice for inventory management, and two weapons for longer trip ^^

Im sorry you can't explorer cause you lack patient :(

tbh exploring with the seikret was a really fun sidething, its how i even found the camping areas which were cool.

[TomOfFinland]

I already knew how the comments were going to be.
"Don't use that feature".

Lately in a lot of modern games there are gameplay mechanics that clearly are integrated to the way how the game is MEANT to be played. But at the same time those mechanics make the games incredibly trivial and simplified.
A lot of players nowadays don't want to restrain themselves artificially in order to have a better/harder experience in a game, unless of course it's not their first playthrough anymore.

Also, a lot of players want to earn their rewards through difficult goals. Not them handed to them from the very start of the game.

I hate it that now you can easily find the monsters, you don't have to learn their patterns and behavior and if they run away, you can just hop on your ride and go get a cup of coffee while it runs after your target.

[woodelf]

To be fair, the Seikret is a good idea for the dimension of the maps. And with auto-explore deactivated it is quite fun to ride through the desert. What I dislike is that you can use it to get up and the palamute functions of sharpening and healing. And that the encounters are designed in a way, where you have to use said functions. In rise I could at least switch the palamute for a second palico. And the encounters worked just fine without the palamute.

[Brondy]

Originally posted by Cadaver:

Originally posted by Brondy:

They can let you go anywhere, because that's the only way to explore the areas.
Seikret is not optional, and as others have said mounts are a symptom of a larger problem with maps.

Then if you add the "auto-play" feature to it...simply not defensible.

Whats stopping you from just walking?

And what is the issue? the map was perfectly fine to me

You could have played the beta or just read the thread, to understand that Seiket is integrated into the game system. Maybe you need the "auto-guide" for this too :rofl .

[twerbo]

The "Just disable it" comments suck, sorry OP.

I think the off-brand chocobo is a cool addition though, because it doesn't change the core concept of monster disengagements-- I'll explain.

Monster disengagements should make you do one of two things

A) Take a breather, head back to camp, craft ammo, collect resources, do whatever, meander around, fishing, tactical choices, set up traps, etc. (The side-salad: Things that pace the hunt out, and let you explore and breathe)

B) Risk it all and chase critical damage moments such as sleep bombs, cycle-skips, stopping monsters from collecting resources or entering special states, etc. (The meat and potatoes: The stuff we learn while grinding for HR cap)

Both have been in the formula for a long, long time. All the seikret ride does is streamline essential upkeep (food, drinks, coatings, ammocrafting, etc) so more dedicated players don't get tired down by mechanics and long-winded interactions. (Seriously go back and play MHGU or P3RD-- They're fantastic games for those that understand the formula, but they're relics when it comes to casual audiences)

I don't think it ruins the game exactly, besides making things faster, and by extension less tedious (Easier? Debatable, idk)-- What I can say is it does keep aggressive play-styles aggressive, while still limiting player movement far more than breakout titles like Rise.

Also keep in mind; we only saw up to 4⭐ in this Beta; I'm sure Capcom will find new ways to punish players who rush their meat and potatoes, when they should have picked at the side salad for a bit maybe... :)

As always, NEVER PREORDER.