Shortly after its February 28, 2025 launch, Monster Hunter Wilds celebrated a record-setting first month — selling over 10 million copies and becoming the fastest selling game in Capcom's history.
However, the momentum didn't last. By mid-2025, Wilds' post-launch sales had dropped off dramatically. For the quarter April–June it sold only ~477,000 units, and by Q2 the figure had shrunk further (reports suggest ~160,000 units from July–September).
Capcom has publicly acknowledged the game has “under-performed expectations”. Meanwhile, the previous title in the series, Monster Hunter Rise, which is older, is still outselling Wilds in the same window — a worrying sign.
What Went Wrong: Performance, Content & Platform Barriers
Several factors are cited as contributing to the drop-off:
Technical & performance issues, especially on PC. Wilds has drawn heavy criticism for optimization problems and has garnered “Mostly Negative” / “Mixed” Steam user reviews in part due to this.
Platform cost & accessibility barrier. In an interview, Capcom's president noted that high console costs (e.g., PlayStation 5 barrier) and full-price game pricing were factors limiting uptake.
Early content exhaust. While Wilds launched big, players and analysts suggest that the long-term engagement loop hasn't resonated as strongly as previous entries (fewer new players, less “back-catalog” growth).
High expectations due to big launch. With such a massive launch, sustaining high sales becomes harder, and when the follow-up period falters it looks more severe.
Why It Matters for Capcom & the Franchise
The decline matters because Wilds was expected to carry the Monster Hunter brand forward and sustain long-tail sales, as previous entries have. Instead, the drop signals possible issues with future expansion content, player retention, and the brand's growth trajectory.
For Capcom:
Investor confidence can be shaken, especially when flagship titles lose momentum after launch.
Future DLC and expansion plans may face more scrutiny or require adjustment to win back trust.
The series' reputation for strong, steady sales and longevity may be under test.
For players and fans:
It may mean that expansions or live-service support become more critical to the game's life.
The market may see deeper discounts to stimulate long-term sales and re-engage players.
New-player onboarding might be less active if release cadence slows.
Looking Ahead: Can Wilds Recover?
There are still paths to improvement:
A patch roadmap focusing on the PC/optimization side could help rebuild trust.
Meaningful post-launch content and expansions may reignite player interest.
Marketing efforts targeting platforms with lower barriers (e.g., PC sales bundles) might expand reach.
But the window to restore full momentum is narrowing. If sales continue to taper without corrective action, Wilds may settle into a smaller plateau — which would mark a shift compared to previous Monster Hunter entries.