D3 · Midwater · Action RPG

How hard is Monster Hunter: World to learn?

Monster Hunter: World is a D3 (Midwater): obtuse systems and weapon depth with weak onboarding; the wall before the fun is real.

D3 · Midwater

The Dive Profile

Monster Hunter: World at a glance

Monster Hunter: World Dive Profile: Depth D3, Pressure P2 Shallows, Currents In the Flow
  • Depth · D3 Midwaterhow hard to learn
  • Pressure · P2 Shallowshow good you must be
  • Currents · In the Flowhow the room treats you

Co-op PvE only with no PvP or ranked ladders; MHW's community is one of the most cited examples of a welcoming multiplayer game culture.

For parents: T (13+) · Contains fantasy combat violence against large creatures with some blood effects; online co-op with strangers via text chat.

Monster Hunter: World gameplay screenshot
Gameplay via IGDB
JumpIntoGaming certified: Monster Hunter: World is a D3 (Midwater) on the Difficulty Depth Chart
Monster Hunter: World gameplayMonster Hunter: World gameplay

Why Monster Hunter: World is a D3

The six-point rubric, scored 1 to 10 so higher means harder to learn. The breakdown is always shown so you can check the verdict.

Controls & interface complexityA moderate control set, but nothing that takes long to internalize.6
Time to first “I get it”It takes a short session before the loop clicks.6
Mechanical depth before competenceConsiderable depth stands between you and competence.8
Punishment of early mistakesEarly mistakes sting a little but rarely set you back far.5
Weak built-in onboardingThin onboarding; you’ll lean on outside guides.7
Thin community & helpA large, active community and plenty of help to find.2

Where Monster Hunter: World goes easy, and where it doesn’t

Easiest part to learn: the community and help around it (2/10). Steepest part: the depth you need up front (8/10).

JumpIntoGaming analysis, computed from the six-point rubric and approved by our team. No outside critic required.

Where Monster Hunter: World sits on the chart

Monster Hunter: World is a D3 (Midwater). Compare it with games at the same depth, or other Action RPG games we’ve graded.

Other D3 (Midwater) games

D37 Days to DieMidwater · SurvivalD3Age of Empires IVMidwater · RTSD3Age of Wonders 4Midwater · 4XD3Albion OnlineMidwater · MMORPGD3Anno 1800Midwater · City builderD3Apex LegendsMidwater · Hero shooterD3ARK: Survival AscendedMidwater · SurvivalD3Assetto CorsaMidwater · Sim racing

More Action RPG games

D2Cyberpunk 2077Shallow · Action RPGD2Dragon Age: InquisitionShallow · Action RPGD2Fallout 4Shallow · Action RPGD2Final Fantasy VII RemakeShallow · Action RPGD2Mass Effect Legendary EditionShallow · Action RPGD2NieR: AutomataShallow · Action RPGD2The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimShallow · Action RPGD2The Witcher 3Shallow · Action RPG

Monster Hunter: World: quick answers

How hard is Monster Hunter: World to learn?

Monster Hunter: World is a D3 (Midwater): obtuse systems and weapon depth with weak onboarding; the wall before the fun is real.

Is Monster Hunter: World good for beginners?

Moderately. It's a D3 (Midwater): a little reading up before you dive pays off.

Does Monster Hunter: World have a good tutorial?

Thin onboarding; you’ll lean on outside guides. We score its built-in onboarding 7/10 (higher means weaker).

How punishing is Monster Hunter: World for beginners?

Early mistakes sting a little but rarely set you back far. Punishment of early mistakes scores 5/10.

How long until I get the hang of Monster Hunter: World?

It takes a short session before the loop clicks. Time to first “I get it” scores 6/10.

A benchmark on the chart

Monster Hunter: World is a reference point: a well-known game that calibrates the scale, so a D3 means the same thing everywhere. Our full training descent, the staged path that takes you from Surface to a game’s real depth, is reserved for underserved games that don’t already have a good guide. Monster Hunter: World has plenty.

Browse all graded games How the chart works Get a badge for your game