There’s a significant chunk of video games over the last 20 years that I missed. One of those is the Monster Hunter franchise. I love me some monster-slaying adventures so I tried to squeeze in some time to check out the Monster Hunter Wilds Beta Test and I had fun.
For the unfamiliar, the franchise is pretty straightforward. First launched in 2004, Monster Hunter is all about building your own character and teaming up with others to hunt down beasts twice, thrice, and even five times your size.
In the Beta Test, players are able to play the opening chapter of the game plus another mission. As I played towards the end of the time frame, I was only able to finish the opening chapter. Despite that, I still had a good time.
Character Creation
One of the reasons I took a while to get going is character creation. I wanted to fine-tune as much as I could and even posted a poll on my social accounts asking which hairstyle I should go with.
Like my approach with most games with character creation these days, I tried to model my character after my wife of delusion, Momo Hirai of TWICE. This dance goddess is currently sporting a blonde bob look so I went with that, also matching her garb with how she appeared in the “Identity” music video of their sub-unit group MISAMO.
It took me about an hour to get through all of that. I’m still not completely happy with the character model but I had already spent over an hour in character creation that I just decided to move on.
Visually striking
One of the first things I noticed is how visually striking the game is. When I first chanced upon one of its early trailers, I wasn’t particularly impressed with how it looked. But seeing it running on an LG C2 + PS5 combo, I was impressed.
It’s also mostly because many of the cutscenes had to run in-engine instead of being straight up video files. The character you created is rendered flawlessly along with the other characters that will play a role in your playthrough.
My hope is that the final build of the game looks just as good, if not better, when it officially launches.
Action-packed opening
Without spoiling anything, I can say that the opening chapter of the game offers a balanced serving of some lore, plenty helpings of action, and for newcomers like myself, a fair bit of tutorial.
I enjoyed that you get to choose the weapon that fits your play style. I went for an agile-type my first go round, but I’m also pretty curious about how the other weapons will handle. Depending on my mood, I like to switch-up play styles when I can and I love that this is game that lets me do that.
The controls don’t take a lot to get used to, especially for someone like myself who has had to jump from game-to-game for reviews.
Overall, I found my quick playthrough fun, exciting, and it has definitely left me wanting for more.
More Beta test schedules
PlayStation 5 version: Those who are not subscribed to PS Plus can also participate.
Xbox Series X|S version: Those who are not subscribed to Game Pass Core or Ultimate can join as well.
Event Date and Time (GMT+8):
November 15. 2024 (Friday) 11:00 AM to November 4, 2024 (Monday) 10:59 AM
Note: Pre-download is scheduled to start on 31st October 2024 (Thursday) at 11:00 AM.
Monster Hunter Wilds is set for a February 28, 2025 release. It will be available on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Special Edition DualSense and PS5 cover
The game will also feature a Special Edition DualSense control and PlayStation 5 cover. The DualSense looks like a non-shiny edition of Volcanic Red with markings related to the game. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 cover comes in black with minimal Monster Huntermarkings on the bottom if the PS5 is in standing position.
Starting on November 22, 2024, players from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam will be able to pre-order the controller from select retailers for SGD 119 / MYR 419 / IDR 1,549,000 / THB 2,890 / PHP 4,890 / VND 2,399,000.
The DualSense wireless controller — Monster Hunter Wilds Limited Edition will be available from February 28, 2025. It’ll release alongside the much-anticipated game. Availability may vary by country/region, so be sure to check your local retailers.
Monster Hunter Wilds is now available for Pre-order:
PS5 version:
- Singapore: https://store.playstation.com/en-sg/concept/10005176/
- Malaysia: https://store.playstation.com/en-my/concept/10005176/
- Thailand: https://store.playstation.com/en-th/concept/10005176/
- Indonesia: https://store.playstation.com/en-id/concept/10005176/
- India: https://store.playstation.com/en-in/concept/10005176
Steam version: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2246340/Monster_Hunter_Wilds/
Xbox: https://www.xbox.com/en-sg/games/store/monster-hunter-wilds/9NMT6XFN0LVD/0010
Gaming
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 clip shows Losing Ground 1st look
Pre-order now for Campaign Early Access
A short new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 teaser shows a quick look at the Losing Ground mission for the first time.
It is one of the big war missions from the title’s Campaign mode, following the Korean grunt squad through chaos on the ground.
The brief clip is a pre-order promotional material, wherein gamers can place pre-orders now on any platform for Campaign Early Access.
This shall allow players to dive into the full single-player campaign a week ahead of the official worldwide release date on October 16.
In the vignette, soldiers can be seen advancing through a burning urban environment while under intense enemy fire.
The squad pushes through a breached storefront into a local cafe to clear enemy strongpoints.
Laster on, out in the open on the bridge, squad members realize they are heavily exposed and call out incoming enemy air support. This was right before an explosion rocks the area.
AMD has launched the new AMD Radeon RX 9050 graphics card, expanding the Radeon RX 9000 series with an affordable option.
This brings AMD RDNA 4 gaming technologies to mainstream gamers with a retail price of US$ 279.
The particular GPU is designed for responsive gameplay at 1080p. That’s for esports and modern AAA titles.
Some popular titles it can run at high frame rates on a 1080p resolution include: Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 6, Pragmata, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Valorant, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, to name a few.
This highly efficient, drop-in upgrade features a 92W TBP and fully supports the latest AMD FSR technologies, next-gen raytracing, and high-quality AV1 video streaming.
Key specs:
- Architecture: AMD RDNA 4
- Compute Units: 16
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Game Clock / Boost Clock: 1.92 GHz / Up to 2.60 GHz
- TBP: 92W
In line with the Radeon RX 9050 launch, AMD has also released AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 26.7.1.
This driver introduces official day-one support for Radeon RX 9050, alongside early multiplayer access for Gears of War: E-Day.
Users can download the software here.
Gaming
NBA 2K27 gameplay trailer showcases new dunk mechanics, Rucker Park, and more
First gameplay details revealed
NBA 2K27 is giving fans their first look at this year’s gameplay.
2K has released the official gameplay trailer for NBA 2K27, showcasing enhanced visuals and several gameplay updates ahead of the game’s September 4 launch. The trailer also features cover athletes Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose while teasing changes across Gameplay, MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and the MyPLAYER Builder.
The publisher also confirmed the Preseason Breakdown: NBA 2K27 Game Reveal, which streams on August 18 at 10:00 AM PT. During the presentation, 2K will reveal this year’s biggest gameplay innovations and mode updates before Early Access begins on August 28 for Deluxe Edition and Ultra Edition owners.
Smarter AI and a new Dunk Meter headline gameplay changes
NBA 2K27 introduces several gameplay refinements based on community feedback.
AI defenders now contest shots more effectively and hold their defensive positioning better, especially in online modes like The REC. The changes aim to create a more balanced experience on both ends of the floor.
The game also introduces a fully dynamic Dunk Meter. Instead of locking in the timing at takeoff, the meter continuously evaluates defensive positioning throughout the dunk attempt. Open driving lanes create a larger green window, while late defensive rotations shrink it, making each dunk attempt feel more responsive to the action on the court.
MyPLAYER Builder expands with more Badges
The MyPLAYER Builder now features 53 total Badges, up from 40 in last year’s game. Players can also experiment with 19 brand-new Badges designed to support more specialized builds.
Cap Breakers are also making a return. This time, players can preview attribute boosts directly inside the Builder before finalizing their character.
MyTEAM and MyNBA receive community-requested updates
MyTEAM introduces the franchise’s first unified Auction House across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The shared marketplace creates the largest pool of community-listed cards in the mode’s history. It should also make card prices more consistent across supported platforms.
Winning an auction is now faster, too. Purchased cards go straight into your collection without a verification delay.
MyNBA also receives several franchise management updates that reflect today’s NBA. These include second apron salary cap rules from the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement and the ability to offer No-Trade Clauses to free agents.
Rucker Park comes to MyCAREER
The City returns with the same centralized layout introduced last year. This time, however, it gets a new nighttime look filled with neon lights.
NBA 2K27 also recreates the legendary Rucker Park. The iconic streetball court serves as the setting for this year’s MyCAREER prelude story, Fire & Concrete, and also appears in the Street Kings mode.
NBA 2K27 launches on September 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players who purchase the Deluxe Edition or Ultra Edition can jump in early starting August 28 through Early Access.
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