I think it’s high time Monster Hunter Wilds had a ranking for its biomes. We need something more positive instead of the usual drama about the game being too easy or lacking content. After all, we gave Monster Hunter Wilds a perfect score in our review.
We’ve already ranked the best new monsters based on how cool they are to fight. Now, let’s rank the five maps by how content-rich they are. Of course, this is a personal list, so everything here is based solely on my opinion.
From least to most favorite, here’s my ranking of all the biomes in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Oilwell Basin
This tar-covered realm isn’t the best place to take in the sights—it’s packed with noxious fumes and intense heat. The Oilwell Basin is my least favorite as the game's third biome. While visually striking, the monsters feel like they could have more impact on the area, especially the region’s Apex, the Nu Udra.
During the Firespring Inclemency, the environment becomes even more hostile, with flames erupting across the land and aggressive Ajarakans and Nu Udras emerging. The one upside to this weather event is that Azuz hosts a festival that rewards you with free Crafting Ores for your Artian weapons.
The Plenty Season gives the Basin a more subdued look, with sunlight breaking through the haze and cooling the waters to reveal a beautiful azure hue. It’s a stunning sight, but only during this weather cycle. You might spot floating Endemic Life, like the incredibly rare Peony Sparklerjelly.
While it’s not the most visually appealing map, it serves its purpose well with its forging capabilities. If Capcom decides to put Gogmazios here, then it's definitely moving up the ranks in the future.
Iceshard Cliffs
Monster Hunter Wilds’ frozen biome is an odd one. It serves no real function beyond acting as a gateway to Suja and as the battleground for Gore Magala and Jin Dahaad. There’s little in the way of lore or story to flesh it out.
Even its Inclemency, Frostwinds, doesn’t add much—it's merely a signal that Jin Dahaad has taken its throne atop the peaks. It’s a baffling biome that needs further improvement. I’m pretty sure that Capcom has plans to expand on it, possibly introducing more Frenzied Monsters and additional cold-dwelling creatures.
The only reason this isn’t my least favorite biome is because of its incredible combat music. I can’t help but jam to its melodies.
Ruins of Wyveria
The fifth and final explorable biome in Monster Hunter Wilds is a breath of fresh air. It breaks away from Monster Hunter’s typical Desert, Snow, Jungle, and Plains formula, instead offering something unique—a city—now a remnant of a fallen civilization that once tried to play god.
The Ruins of Wyveria are packed with untapped lore and, strangely enough, Wyvern Milk. The battles against Guardian Monsters and the interactions with the game’s Wylk Bionergy add to its mysterious atmosphere. Even the fight against Xu Wu is memorable, with its nest littered with decaying bones and cephalopod larvae.
One of my favorite features in this biome is how interactive the Construct Pods are. Scattered throughout the ruins, these birthing chambers can be destroyed to release a Guardian Monster. It’s like a gacha—you never know what you’ll get.
Windward Plains
The game’s first biome—and the one we spent the most time in during the open beta—the Windward Plains is a mix of lush vegetation and arid wasteland. While it may not be the most breathtaking locale, the sheer number of hours I’ve sunk into this place gives it a special kind of nostalgia. Even the sight of the Wind’s Gasp never fails to impress.
Its Inclemency, Sandtide, was Capcom’s first big flex with its weather systems. The pounding storms and shifting sands create an intense, immersive atmosphere. Battles against Rey Dau, Arkveld, and Balahara here feel smooth and uninterrupted by broken terrain, making every fight an exhilarating experience.
When the Plenty Season arrives after these grueling battles, the landscape transforms into a thriving paradise teeming with wildlife. Small reptiles return, and Vigorwasps resurgence. It becomes the perfect place to relax, gather Fulgurites, or stock up on Honey if you’re in a contemplative mood.
Scarlet Forest
The Scarlet Forest is, without a doubt, my favorite biome in Monster Hunter Wilds. A dense jungle brimming with deadly flora and fauna constantly keeps you on your toes.
During the Fallow Season, the eerie sight of scarlet-hued waters raises all kinds of questions about what caused them. Then, in the Plenty Season, the forest is bathed in golden sunlight, transforming it into an emerald jewel waiting to be explored… and fished.
Speaking of fishing, Area 17 is where I spent most of my time trying to catch Whoppers and rare aquatic life. The fishing minigame in this biome is surprisingly addictive, and I’ve probably spent more hours here than in any other region.
It’s a breathtaking place to explore and an incredible setting for a monster hunt.