Monster Hunter Wilds Beta: Why Character Creation Is the Real Star
The second Monster Hunter Wilds beta is here and open to all, but if you played the first one in late 2024, there’s not much new to sink your teeth into. Capcom hasn’t implemented major updates—such as improved hitstop or performance enhancements—so aside from a couple of new monsters, the experience remains largely the same.
With the full release just three weeks away, is it really worth diving back in for a few hunts that will look and feel better in the final version? Probably not. But there’s still a fantastic reason to install the beta this weekend:
Your Character Creation Progress Carries Over
Unlike your hunts or loot, your custom hunter will transfer to the full game when it launches on February 27. That means you can spend as much time as you want perfecting your ideal hunter now, ensuring you’re ready to jump straight into the action on release day.
Deep Customization Awaits
The Monster Hunter Wilds character creator isn’t quite as extreme as Dragon’s Dogma 2—there’s no individual tooth removal here—but it still offers impressive depth. Some of the granular options include:
- 45 hairstyles, some with adjustable length
- Multi-tone hair colors, with adjustable gradients
- Extensive face sculpting: eye depth, separation, corner height, eyelid shape, and more
- Skin textures & wrinkles
- Teeth customization, including tweakable stains
- Three-layered facial makeup, scars, and tattoos
- 16 beards and 11 mustaches, covering styles from Abe Lincoln to Sam Elliott
- Fully adjustable tattoos and scars, with control over size, rotation, and position
The level of control allows for some seriously unique designs—especially with the ability to tweak scarring and tattoo placements, giving players nearly limitless creative potential.
What’s Missing?
While the customization options are robust, a few features are notably absent:
- No height or body size adjustments—everyone fits a standard, athletic frame
- Limited voice options—only six choices, and pitch adjustments sound robotic
Don’t Forget Your Palico!
Once you’re happy with your hunter, you’ll also get to design your palico companion, with extensive fur color, pattern, and feature options. Finishing your palico on launch day might feel like a chore, so why not take your time now?
Beta Availability & Final Countdown
The Monster Hunter Wilds open beta is live until February 9 at 7 PM, with an encore session from February 13-16. Then, it’s just over a week until launch.
If you’re on the fence about reinstalling the beta, consider this: you can save yourself time on release day by crafting your perfect hunter now—so why not get cozy with a hot drink and start customizing?
