Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance Hands-On Reveals Aerial Archipelagoes and Boost Bracer

The demo opened in a camp where Alma offered two quests: Hunt the Alpha Araketa, listed as a level 2 monster, and Slay the Teostra, listed as a level 5 monster. TechRadar called the camp a visual marvel matching the base game's standards, though the demo offered little NPC chatter. A small jump across a ravine hid a barrel-rolling side game that was unnecessary but fun.

The first expedition dropped the hunter onto a jagged island floating high above any visible earth. The environment mixed the look of James Cameron's Pandora with medieval coastal castle ruins, with rocky structures hanging in the air and aggressive tree roots tunneling through them. In an empty open area, the preview found what appeared to be petrified dragon wings and tails buried in white rubble under a bright blue sky.

The Alpha Araketa was not alone. It had two underlings of the same species but much smaller. The Araketa is a new wyvern with a smooth, stone-like exterior and a turquoise-and-yellow platter pattern. Its head is bulbous and boulder-like, its wings have sharp claws at the back, and it has a long, winding tail. All three extremities are used in combat.

When the hunter entered the battlefield, the Alpha screeched and the trio formed up. One underling jumped into the air while the Alpha and the second monster flew forward quickly. The younger creature tried to headbutt with its hammerhead while the Alpha flanked from behind. The Alpha then dug its claw into the earth and performed a spin attack that knocked the player off balance. The third monster, which had been absent, swooped down and swiped. TechRadar called the encounter overwhelming but exhilarating.

The Insect Glaive was the chosen weapon for that fight, useful for platforming around the bombardment. The demo also introduced the Boost Bracer, which enables weapon-specific special attack types. A gauge at the bottom of the screen has three charge slots that illuminate light blue as the player attacks. When in position, pressing R1, circle, and triangle together unleashes a brutal attack. For the Insect Glaive, this produced explosive shifting sweeps. The upgraded moves dealt boosted damage and helped reset momentum, and TechRadar noted that no specific resources were needed to use the power.

Between combat, the preview took in ambient wildlife in the new biome, including rocky-backed alligators and fluffy, chicken-like birds. It also experienced the new wind mechanics mentioned in marketing materials and used a Seikret to dive across them. TechRadar described the wind traversal as fun but a little rigid, and suggested the full release might offer more control.

The second quest sent the hunter to an entirely different location. Instead of blue skies and white rock, the area was filled with sludge and volcanic ash plumes rising from organic chimneys across the horizon. It was composed of grey tones, occasionally broken by orange or red illuminations.