Monster Hunter Wilds review – prepare for the most epic fight of your life

PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X; Capcom
Supercharged by modern gaming technology, this venerable action series has never been more fun

After riding through a desert storm on a feathered steed, dust and rain whipping around you, you arrive at a mountain pass where purple crystals frost the walls. The weather still rages outside, but it's calm within the cavern that lies at the end of the path. You can tell, from the environment, what kind of creature lives here: the Rey Dau, a horned wyvern that commands the elements.

You've seen it before, when it appeared unexpectedly while you were out on another expedition, descending from lightning-streaked skies to sink its claws into an unfortunate pack of shaggy, lion-like creatures. You weren't strong enough to face it then, but you are now. Hopefully.