Monster Hunter Wilds has arrived, and millions of players are diving into the game’s character creation. However, frequent changes to your hunter’s appearance may come with a hidden cost.
The game introduces Character Edit Vouchers, a form of microtransaction that lets players revisit the character creator for extensive modifications. While minor changes like adjusting hair color or voice pitch are free, significant edits — such as altering a character’s voice or changing their gender — require one of these vouchers.
Capcom offers a free voucher to players, but any additional character modifications will require purchasing more. The same applies to your Palico; any major changes to your feline companion also need a voucher. These vouchers are sold in different packages, including a three-pack for $6.99 or a combined Character & Palico Edit Voucher bundle for $9.99.
This isn’t the first time Monster Hunter has used this type of system; both Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise included similar character edit vouchers, though they’ve been a source of frustration for many players. A few years ago, players expressed their discontent with this feature in Monster Hunter Rise, calling it one of the worst aspects of the game due to the introduction of unnecessary microtransactions.
Ahead of Monster Hunter Wilds’s launch, players voiced concerns over the return of the voucher system, especially when compared to games like Elden Ring, which allows for free and unlimited character edits. With Capcom’s system, players face a hard limit on how many times they can adjust their character’s appearance, which has left many frustrated.
One player questioned the logic of the system: “When I return to a game I haven’t played for a while, I like to change my character’s looks to keep it fresh, but I just don’t bother in Monster Hunter and throw a helmet on instead.” This is a sentiment shared by others who feel the character customization should be free and unlimited.
This kind of system is reminiscent of some MMOs, where players are charged for character reworks or new creations. Despite the frustration, some PC players have even found ways to bypass the voucher system using mods.
The addition of Character Edit Vouchers has led to mixed reviews on Steam. While some players argue that the vouchers don’t significantly impact the overall game, others feel the restriction is unnecessary. One review states, “Limiting character edits is a bit much, should be free and unlimited.” On the other hand, a positive review suggests that most players won’t even use the feature enough to be bothered by the vouchers.
The introduction of microtransactions in Monster Hunter Wilds feels reminiscent of Dragon’s Dogma 2, where a slew of in-game transactions sparked frustration at launch. While players can still acquire these in-game items through gameplay, the option to buy them directly was met with backlash. In Monster Hunter Wilds, after the free voucher, all character edits must be purchased, fueling similar discontent.
It’s still early days for Monster Hunter Wilds, and as the game reaches more players, concerns about microtransactions may take a backseat to issues like game difficulty or performance. Whether the voucher system remains a point of contention, or players adjust to its limits, will become clearer over time.
For now, players can dive into the game with resources like a Monster Hunter Wilds guide to the game’s 14 weapon types, a multiplayer guide, and tips on transferring your beta character.