Capcom Tackles PC Optimization for 'Monster Hunter Wilds'

With Monster Hunter Wilds' February 28th release approaching, Capcom is actively investigating ways to reduce the recommended GPU specifications. This follows a statement from the official German Monster Hunter X/Twitter account, which also hinted at the potential release of a dedicated PC benchmarking tool.

Currently, Capcom suggests an Nvidia GTX 1660 Super or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT for achieving 30 FPS at 1080p. This minimum configuration necessitates an internal resolution of 720p, relying on DLSS or FSR upscaling at the lowest graphical settings.

For a smoother 60 FPS experience at 1080p, with upscaling and Frame Generation technologies enabled, Capcom cites the RTX 2070 Super, RTX 4060, and AMD RX 6700 XT as examples. However, only the RTX 4060 directly supports Nvidia Frame Generation; the 2070 Super and 6700 XT depend on FSR 3, which, as noted in the previous beta, exhibited ghosting artifacts.

Targeting 60 FPS with Frame Generation isn't always optimal; Digital Foundry recommends a minimum of 40 FPS for third-person games. Sub-60 FPS performance with upscaling can lead to noticeable latency and a less responsive feel.

The open beta revealed performance struggles for players with lower-end hardware, including mid-range cards like the RTX 3060, often manifesting as a low-LOD bug that prevented full texture loading for characters and monsters.

Monster Hunter Wilds utilizes Capcom's RE Engine, initially launched with Resident Evil 7 in 2017. This engine has powered successful titles like Devil May Cry 5, Monster Hunter Rise, and Street Fighter 6, demonstrating strong cross-platform performance.

However, the RE Engine's performance in larger open-world games with numerous NPCs and enemies, such as the anticipated Dragon's Dogma 2, has raised concerns. Given these challenges, Capcom's efforts to lower the GPU requirements could prove crucial for Monster Hunter Wilds' PC reception.