Capcom Aims to Optimize Monster Hunter Wilds PC Requirements

As the release date of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28 approaches, developer Capcom has announced efforts to potentially lower the recommended GPU requirements for the game. This information was confirmed by the official German Monster Hunter X/Twitter account, which also disclosed that Capcom is considering the development of a standalone PC benchmarking tool.

Currently, Capcom suggests an Nvidia GTX 1660 Super or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT as the minimum GPU to achieve 30 FPS at 1080p. These minimum settings also involve an internal resolution set to 720p, with the graphics upscaled using technologies like DLSS or FSR at the "lowest" graphics setting.

For those aiming for a smoother experience, the recommended settings for Monster Hunter Wilds target 1080p at 60 FPS, utilizing upscaling and Frame Generation technologies. Suggested GPUs for these settings include the RTX 2070 Super, RTX 4060, or AMD RX 6700 XT. Notably, only the RTX 4060 supports Nvidia Frame Generation, whereas the RTX 2070 Super and RX 6700 XT would depend on FSR 3, which faced issues with ghosting artifacts during the previous beta of Monster Hunter Wilds.

Digital Foundry advises that for optimal performance with Frame Generation technology, particularly in third-person games, a baseline of 40 FPS is recommended. Running below 60 FPS with upscaling can lead to noticeable latency, affecting the game's responsiveness and tactile feel.

During the open beta of Monster Hunter Wilds, players with lower-end hardware, including those with mid-range graphics cards such as the RTX 3060, encountered performance issues. A common problem reported was a low-LOD bug, where the game failed to load high-quality textures for characters and monsters.

Monster Hunter Wilds is built on the RE Engine, which made its debut with 2017's Resident Evil 7. The engine has since been utilized in several successful titles like Devil May Cry 5, Monster Hunter Rise, and Street Fighter 6, known for their smooth performance across various platforms.

However, the RE Engine has shown limitations in larger, open-world games with numerous NPCs and enemies, as seen with Dragon's Dogma 2, which experienced performance issues on both consoles and PC. This sets a concerning precedent for Monster Hunter Wilds. As the game's open beta approaches in early February and the full launch in late February, Capcom's efforts to reduce GPU requirements could be crucial for the game's success on PC.