PC and console players can jump into the Forbidden Lands and hunt together thanks to the addition of cross-play. Nevertheless, not all platforms deliver the same experience and performance can vary significantly depending on your setup. Sure, the base PS5 and Xbox Series X|S can run the game, and so does high-end PCs. But, the PS5 Pro is your best bet for a solid balance of performance and visuals in Monster Hunter Wilds without breaking the bank. Here’s why.
Why PS5 Pro Is The Best Value Choice for Monster Hunter Wilds
First up, PS5 and Xbox Series X offer three modes: Framerate/Performance with a 60 FPS target, Balanced at 40 FPS, and Resolution at 30 FPS. However, Performance Mode takes a significant visual hit, making it less appealing for those who want sharp and detailed visuals. On the other hand, playing on Resolution still comes with graphical baggage while sacrificing relatively smoother gameplay. But it’s a different story if you own a PS5 Pro, as Monster Hunter Wilds delivers much better performance without compromising visuals too much.
Thanks to PS5 Pro’s PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaling, it seems it consistently runs on an internal 1080p resolution, based on Digital Foundry’s analysis. While this isn’t native 4K, the results are impressive, offering sharper image quality than the base PS5 while still pushing higher frame rates. That’s despite Capcom saying it won’t be able to deliver PS5 Pro support when the game launches.
More importantly, the PS5 Pro’s Performance Mode does a noticeably better job maintaining 60 FPS. While it’s not a hard-locked 60, frame dips are much less frequent and don’t impact gameplay as much. If you own a 120Hz display, unlocking the Frame Rate Limit option can push it into the 60-80 FPS range for an even smoother experience.
Meanwhile, the Resolution Mode runs between 1728p and 1944p with dynamic resolution. While it looks the best, the frame rate jumps around between 30-45 FPS. It’s not particularly noticeable with motion blur, but with high monitor refresh rates, it could feel less responsive.
The Balanced mode on PS5 Pro is a great middle-ground for those who don’t want to sacrifice too much visual fidelity. Running at a 1404p internal resolution according to Capcom itself, this mode keeps a steady 40 FPS while delivering cleaner images than the base PS5. Shimmering issues and other visual artifacts are also significantly reduced.
A picture tells a thousand words; even more so a moving one. Check out how all three Monster Hunter Wilds settings perform in our video comparison below.
Of course, building a PC is always an option — if you’re willing to invest in high-end hardware. We tested the game on a mid-range setup with an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D and an RX 7600 XT at 1080p. The result can be disappointing if you’re expecting to play it on native resolution.
With settings on Low, we averaged 68.5 FPS during cutscenes with drops as low as 33 FPS in gameplay. However, enabling upscaling and Frame Generation with AMD FSR or Nvidia DLSS drastically improved performance. We were able to run Monster Hunter Wilds at Medium-High with Raytracing on with 87 FPS minimum on said setup.
The agreeable specs to reach that level of native performance require at least a Ryzen 5 7600X3D and RTX 4070, which could cost around $1,100. If your PC isn’t packing that kind of power, you’ll struggle to match what the Performance Mode on the PS5 Pro delivers at a much lower cost.
All said and done, if you want the best performance out of Monster Hunter Wilds without spending a fortune, the PS5 Pro is your friend. It delivers superior performance over the base PS5 and Xbox Series X’s now-five-year-old hardware. It also offers a smooth and stable experience that mid-range PCs struggle to achieve without major compromises.
