Summary
At the end of the 2023 Game Awards,Monster Hunterfans finally got a look at the future of their franchise.Monster Hunter Wildswill open the series’ sixth generation in 2025, ending the generationMonster Hunter Worldstarted in 2018. Being the first nativeMonster Huntertitle on PS5 and Xbox Series,Monster Hunter Wildsis expected to bring enormous areas, mobility options, and monster hordes to the series. Many greeted the announcement with open arms, but, as bothMonster Hunter WorldandMonster Hunter Risehave concluded their post-launch support, the wait forWildsmay be a long one.
The recentMonster Hunter Nowmobile launch threw a wrench into the series’ release schedule. Normally, a major newMonster Hunteris released 2–3 years after the last one’s launch, and fans had already assumedMH Nowdidn’t count as the follow-up toMH Risesince it wasn’t on PS5or Xbox Series.Monster Hunter Wilds' 2025 window disproved that, but for those disinterested in its mobile-oriented gameplay, there won’t be newMonster Huntercontent for a while. On the bright side,Monster Hunter Wildsisn’t the only title slated for 2025, and it’s going to fit in nicely beside the heavy hitters coming that year.
Grand Theft Auto 6 and MH Wilds Are Poised To Dominate 2025
With 2023 just ending, only a few video games have been dated for 2025. Setting release windows over one calendar year away is not standard practice due to the tumultuous tendencies of game development, but a handful of titles have seen fit to do so.Everhood 2andMonster Hunter Wildsare two of the more recognizable names among them, but both are dwarfed byGrand Theft Auto 6. Within a week of its announcement, the YouTube upload ofGTA6’s trailer had already garnered well over 100 million views, which isn’t evenGTA6’s first pre-release accolade.
No matter how muchMonster Hunter Worlddid to increase its IP’s global fanbase, it can’t hold a candle toGrand Theft Auto. Still, they appeal to different audiences, and can safely stand together as two of the biggest games releasing in 2025. Even as 2024 continues building its own strong lineup, 2025 can already be considered stacked just fromGTA6andMH Wildsalone. WithGTA6’s massive release likely driving current-gen console sales, every big console release likeMonster Huntershould benefit, and they shouldn’t be the only games that make 2025 a year to remember.
Monster Hunter Wilds And GTA6 Won’t Be Alone In 2025
Most 2025 launch announcements will wait until at least midway through 2024, but there are already several big titles that could stand besideMonster HunterandGTA.Dragon Age: Dreadwolfis supposed to receive a major trailer in the summer of 2024, potentially meaning that the long-awaited Bioware RPG will release in Holiday 2024 or sometime in 2025, a path thatcould be paralleled byResident Evil 9. Meanwhile, regular updates are set to continue for theLeague of Legendsfighting gameProject L, but speculation places it as having at least a public beta by 2025.
Rumors Point To Nintendo Having A Massive 2025
Other big franchises likeSilent HillorThe Witchermay also have something ready for 2025, but one company should be bringing multiple properties to bear.A Nintendo Switch successor has been rumoredfor over a year at this point, and while Nintendo hasn’t announced it yet, a respectable number of leaks point to a 2024 launch. If that launch is late 2024, like many have guessed, then 2025 should be full of Switch 2 games. It’s unknown if its improved hardware will supportMonster Hunter WildsandGrand Theft Auto 6, but they should all make for an unreal year for video games.
