Capcom Announces Second Monster Hunter Wilds Beta with Cross-Platform Play

Capcom has announced a second beta for its highly anticipated game, Monster Hunter Wilds, set to release on February 28, 2025. The beta will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with cross-platform play enabled. Unlike the first beta, a PlayStation Plus subscription is not required to participate.

The second beta will run in two separate periods: February 6-9 and February 13-16, each concluding at 7 p.m. Pacific Time. Players will have access to a new hunt mission featuring Gypceros, a fan-favorite monster absent from recent entries in the series. Additionally, missions and features from the first beta, including character creation options and tutorial hunts, will return.

Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto shared the news on the official Monster Hunter Twitter account, stating, “Happy New Year, hunters! The future is looking bright…” Capcom also confirmed that while story progress and items from the beta will not carry over to the full game, character creation data will be preserved.

The beta will support both solo and multiplayer gameplay, allowing players to team up with friends across platforms. Capcom acknowledged that some issues from the first beta may persist but assured players that feedback has been collected for improvements in the final release.

Monster Hunter Wilds introduces new gameplay mechanics, including dynamic weather cycles in the Oilwell Basin map, inspired by deep-sea environments. Players can utilize Oilsilt Spouts and Chillmantle Bugs to navigate the challenging terrain and combat heat effects during the Firespring cycle.

With its global release just over a year away, Monster Hunter Wilds promises to deliver an expansive multiplayer experience, building on the franchise’s legacy of thrilling monster hunts and cooperative gameplay.