The early hours of Monster Hunter Wilds are spent in the more muted colors of its 'Fallow' season. As I choose my starting weapon and the early hunts kickstart that specific flood of endorphins only Capcom's flagship RPG can bring, I can't help but start to miss the brighter tones of World and Rise. But then comes the 'Inclemency' - in this case, a raging sandstorm that floods the desert accompanied by vicious lightning strikes. Then, midway through my tussle with a giant Alpha Doshaguma, the storm clears as quickly as it came, and the world bursts into vibrant, gorgeous life; the 'Plenty' has arrived. It's a stunning moment that is everything I dreamed of and more. In many ways, it feels like an allegory for Monster Hunter as a series. If you can push through the struggle of those early hours, and survive to the 'spark' of finding the weapon that clicks for you, you'll reveal something truly beautiful.
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