How to Play Online in Monster Hunter Wilds: Lobbies, Friends, and Cross-Play

To play online in Monster Hunter Wilds, set cross-play from the Title Screen if needed, then choose a lobby, a Link Party, or an SOS Flare depending on whether you want a shared gathering place, regular hunts with friends, or help for one quest. You can also start in Online Single Player without joining a lobby.

Set cross-play before loading your save

1. From the Title Screen, open Options > Game Settings > Crossplay and choose the setting you want before loading your save data. Capcom’s Online Manual says this setting cannot be changed through the in-game Options menu after loading a save.
2. Make sure friends who want to form a Link Party have the same cross-play setting. Cross-play works across supported platforms, but it is a global on-or-off setting rather than a per-platform allowlist. With cross-play off, you can only join players on the same platform who also have it off. Capcom announced cross-play in its official game information.

If you are playing on the same platform and do not want cross-platform matchmaking, you can leave cross-play off, provided your friends match that setting.

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3		Star Wars Outlaws - Limited Edition (Amazon Exclusive), PlayStation 5	$35.00	Buy on Amazon
4		Monster Hunter Wilds - Lenticular Sleeve Edition /PS5	$35.86	Buy on Amazon

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Choose the online option that fits your hunt

These are different ways to connect, not interchangeable names for one matchmaking mode. Capcom’s Online Manual explains the available modes, while the Monster Hunter Community Team’s July 2, 2025 post describes Link Party invitations.

How to play with friends using a Link Party

1. Set cross-play as described above, and confirm every player has the same setting.
2. Send a Link Party request to the friends you want to group with.
3. When a member starts a quest, other party members receive an invitation and can join. You do not all have to be in the same lobby.

Capcom’s Monster Hunter Community Team described the feature this way: “Link Party: This can be used in the same lobby, or even when you’re in different ones! Simply send a Link Party request to a hunter (or hunters) on your friend list and whenever one of you starts a quest, everyone else receives an invite to the quest.”

#1 Best Overall

Monster Hunter Wilds Steelbook

• Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
• A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
• New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
• Players can also now ride atop the Seikret, an agile new mount enabling hunters to traverse difficult terrain, perform actions like sharpening weapons on the move, and switch between two weapons while out on hunts!
• Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.

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Can you play story missions in co-op?

Most story content and nearly all quests can be played solo or in multiplayer, and Capcom says you can change modes during play. However, this is not a promise of one uninterrupted, permanently shared campaign instance. Story progression can involve players starting quests and inviting Link Party members, so expect an invitation-based flow rather than continuous co-op synchronization across every story moment.

How many players can join a hunt?

A hunt can have up to four total participants, counting both human players and NPC Support Hunters. Capcom’s Monster Hunter Community Team gives the example of two players and two Support Hunters making a full group. The four-person limit applies to the combined party, not four humans plus extra Support Hunters.

Quick Recap

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• Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
• A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
• New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
• Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
• Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.

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• Hunt giant nature-infused bests – Survive their attacks, learn from their behaviors, and use your Karakuri and your weapons in combination to cut these creatures down to size.
• Craft your hunting grounds – You are the only one in Azuma able to wield the Karakuri technology.
• Hunt in a pack, or be a lone wolf – In WILD HEARTS you can face the Kemono alone or unite with up to two friends (or other players) to stalk and hunt your prey.
• Gear up to hunt, hunt to gear up – Create your character, then gather materials from each hunt and build an array of armor and weapons.

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If online play does not connect

• Check that the cross-play setting was selected at the Title Screen before loading the save, and that Link Party members use the same setting.
• If you are trying to join friends, confirm whether you intend to meet in the same lobby or use a Link Party; the latter can send quest invitations across different lobbies.
• If connection or matchmaking still fails, consult your platform’s current network and online-service guidance. Platform subscription and account requirements can vary, and a universal requirement is not established here.

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