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Underwater combat in wilds reviewed: missed opportunities

Underwater Combat | Community Divided Over Monster Hunter Mechanics

By

Zainab Ahmed

Jul 3, 2025, 11:55 AM

Edited By

Dominic Crown

Updated

Jul 4, 2025, 12:42 AM

2 minutes of duration

A character engaging in underwater combat against a sea creature, with vibrant colors and a dynamic scene

As tension rises within the gaming community, players are voicing strong opinions on the controversial underwater combat feature in the latest Monster Hunter entry. Many are left feeling frustrated, especially following the introduction of Namielle, which has not lived up to expectations.

Uninspired Mechanics Fuel Discontent

Players describe the underwater combat as a tedious experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. Recent comments shed light on this growing backlash.

One player exclaimed, "The underwater sequence is unnecessary, tedious, jank, and the absolute antithesis of what I find fun about this game." Another lamented the limited combat options, stating, "It boils down to Run-At-You Attack, tail swipe, and Zap," drawing unfavorable comparisons to a blue Khezu. Others openly questioned the design choice, suggesting that the underwater segments should be reserved as optional challenges rather than mandatory elements.

Sparks of Support Amid Frustration

Interestingly, some comments reveal a contrasting experience. For instance, numerous players praised the challenging encounters with Seregios:

  • "Easily in the top ten favorite fights in the series" cites one enthusiast.

  • Another noted the intense difficulty, saying, "More Steves. Less Gimmicks."

This indicates that while frustrations are high around the underwater mechanic, there are still elements of the game that resonate well with certain players.

Sentiment Analysis: A Mixed Bag

The commentary showcases a spectrum of emotions among players:

  • Negative Sentiments: Many find the underwater combat cumbersome and uninspired.

  • Positive Remarks: However, experiences with Seregios provide a bright note, showcasing the potential for exciting gameplay moments.

  • Nostalgia and Innovation Reconciliation: Players struggle with nostalgic elements versus a desire for new challenges, highlighting a divide in expectations and experiences.

"Make the reward a wet sock talisman so you can see who is lying to themselves about liking this trash mechanic." This further emphasizes the dissatisfaction with the underwater mechanic.

Key Insights Going Forward

  • โ–ณ Many players criticize the underwater sequences as uninspiring and tedious.

  • โ–ฝ Positive feedback focuses heavily on the dynamic encounter with Seregios.

  • โ€ป "Itโ€™s just iceborne clutch claw in disguise," notes a disheartened player, showcasing overall frustration with the perceived lack of innovation.

The outcry from the community might push developers to reconsider the underwater mechanic in upcoming updates. With a strong demand for change, there's a call for more engaging combat strategies and an overall streamlined experience to enhance player engagement in future iterations.