System Requirements and Community Reaction
In the wake of the recent Sony State of Play, Capcom has unveiled the PC requirements for its highly anticipated title, Monster Hunter Wilds. While the specifications are generally within reach for many gamers, the response has been less than enthusiastic, particularly regarding the graphics card requirements.
The minimum specifications call for a midrange CPU from recent generations, 16GB of RAM, and a substantial 140GB of SSD storage. In the context of 2024, a 140GB game is not particularly surprising. However, the recommended graphics cards have stirred up considerable debate. Capcom suggests options like the RTX 2070 Super, RTX 4060, or RX 6700 XT to achieve 60 frames per second (fps) at 1080p using the Medium graphics preset. The crux of the controversy lies in the requirement for frame generation to meet this target.
On platforms like the r/Nvidia subreddit, users have voiced their frustrations. One user remarked, “Using framegen to reach 60fps is insane. I’m surprised they actually list it as a performance target.” Similarly, another user on the r/MonsterHunter subreddit expressed concern, stating, “Frame gen just to reach 60fps. That’s pretty much my worst fear of the game realized.” Such sentiments resonate across various forums where the system requirements have been discussed.
Frame-generation technology, including features like DLSS 3 and FSR 3, is known to introduce latency. Although the game may visually appear to run at 60 fps, the reality is that half of those frames are artificially generated, resulting in a gameplay experience akin to a game running at 30 fps.
This discrepancy becomes particularly pronounced at lower frame rates. Frame generation operates by rendering two frames, comparing them, and then estimating what a frame in between would look like—a process known as frame interpolation. When starting from a low base frame rate, the difference between the two rendered frames can be significant, leading to increased guessing by the algorithm and, consequently, visual artifacts that detract from the gaming experience.
Moreover, the recommendation for frame generation to achieve 60 fps on the Medium preset at 1080p raises eyebrows, especially considering the power of the suggested graphics cards. This cautious approach may stem from Capcom's desire to avoid a repeat of the problematic PC launch of Dragon’s Dogma 2. However, the true impact of these requirements will only be revealed when Monster Hunter Wilds launches on February 28, 2025.