| Monster Hunter Outlanders | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Register & Pre-Order | Review |
Use an array of weapons to defeat large monsters in Monster Hunter Outlanders! Read on to learn how it plays, what it’s about, and everything else we know so far.
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Monster Hunter Outlanders Gameplay
Monster Hunter Outlanders is said to combine the classic Monster Hunter gameplay with new, mobile-friendly mechanics. Here, players can explore a large world filled with diverse biomes and dynamic ecosystems, all while hunting familiar monsters and gathering resources crucial for crafting.
Combat and Weapons
Combat in Monster Hunter Outlanders has been redesigned with mobile play in mind. The developers have streamlined certain mechanics and adjusted the interface so that items, tools, and prompts appear contextually rather than requiring deep menu navigation. Weapon polishing, for example, has been removed, though Sharpness and its gameplay effects remain. Players can also expect a new cinematic-style "Ultimate Skills" that deal massive damage, echoing similar features from other mobile titles. Hunts themselves have been shortened significantly—averaging about three minutes in the demo.
However, players can expect a greater challenge from the Radiant Species, a new type of monster that has altered appearances and abilities. These creatures are more aggressive and powerful than their normal counterparts, and their ferocity intensifies during the hunt. The cause of these changes is a mystery, although a strange substance is currently under investigation as the source.
As for weapon variety, the Tokyo Game Show 2025 demo featured five weapon types:
⚫︎ Great Sword
⚫︎ Long Sword
⚫︎ Dual Blades
⚫︎ Bow
⚫︎ Heavy Bowgun
This group of five weapons is the precise lineup that was playable in the demo at the Tokyo Game Show, but notably absent here are Light Bowgun and Lance, weapons the developers have confirmed in November of last year to appear in the game.
Dynamic Ecosystem
As with mainline Monster Hunter titles, Outlanders centers on completing quests to hunt, gather, and survive. Instead of segmented maps, like those Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate and other games before it, the game appears to have open environments featuring forests, deserts, swamps, and more.
Traversal is a key focus. Players can glide with paragliders, scale cliffs with grappling ropes, and even activate wind turbines to reach high or distant places. If the game follows previous conventions, exploration outside of main quests will be free from time constraints.
The ecosystem in Outlanders is said to be dynamic, as it will feature turf wars between monsters, weather shifts, and other environmental conditions that may impact gameplay. Some of these conditions can even influence monsters, making them mutate into stronger, more aggressive forms. Classic creatures like Diablos, Ratihian, and the series’ mascot Rathalos will roam the landscape.
New Building System
New to the series is a building system, reminiscent of Wild Hearts’ Karakuri mechanics. By gathering resources, players can construct various structures, including ballistas, cannons, and the aforementioned wind turbines that aid in both movement and combat.
Call Your “Buddies” for Support
Companions, officially known as Buddies, play a supportive role in hunts, assisting with both collecting items and fighting monsters. These Buddies now feature trainable skills and are categorized into specific support roles. Alongside the classic feline Palico, which serves as an Assault-type support, two new companions join the roster: the Rutaco, a monkey-like Buddy specializing in Disruptor roles, and the Trillan, an owl-like Buddy focused on Support roles. These Buddies can also be seen in trailers helping with tasks such as building cannons for the Hunter to use, though the full extent of their abilities remains under wraps for now.
Monster Hunter Outlanders Story
The story of Monster Hunter Outlanders remains largely unknown, but if it follows series traditions, it may center on a young Hunter from the Hunter’s Guild who is sent to a remote village to investigate unusual monster activity tied to a powerful creature. The reveal trailer teased this direction by showing a massive beast shrouded in clouds, hinted to be responsible for "certain environmental conditions" that have made local monsters more aggressive.
In Aesoland, where the game takes place, such disturbances may be linked to Radiant species. These are monsters with "altered appearances and abilities." These variants are prone to entering a frenzied state when hunting. The abnormalities they display are believed to stem from Radiantite, a mineral that glows "with a brilliant orange-yellow hue" and valued by locals for its warmth and everyday use.
Monster Hunter Outlanders marks a notable change for the series, as players now take on the role of the Fated Adventurer—a customizable main character—while also being able to choose from preset Adventurers before hunts. Each of these preset characters comes with their own weapon specialties and unique abilities, offering varied playstyles within the same account. This structure suggests a stronger narrative focus than previous Monster Hunter entries, as players may get to explore the individual backgrounds and personalities of these Adventurers throughout the game.
Given Outlanders’ free-to-play model, speculation about its monetization system has been inevitable. While in-app purchases are confirmed, TiMi Studio has stated that no final decision has been made regarding how the system will work. The developers are currently leaning toward cosmetic purchases, with feedback from the upcoming closed beta in November expected to guide future decisions. Though gacha-style mechanics remain a possibility—especially given the game’s focus on collectible weapons and Adventurers—the team emphasized that their priority is to keep the system fair and responsive to player input.
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