Capcom has unveiled Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, the first major expansion for Monster Hunter Wilds , at Summer Game Fest 2026. Set to release in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and the yet to be released Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game.
Based on the trailer revealed at Summer Game Fest 2026., it seems like Capcom is doing more than just adding a few monsters to the game. Similar to Monster Hunter World: Iceborne and Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak; Ascendance looks to be introducing an entirely new campaign, new area, Master Rank difficulty and more substantial endgame content.
The Hunt Reaches New Heights
Ascendance sees players tracking new monsters in an all new area located above the clouds. Gone are the familiar desert, forest and plains of the Forbidden Lands. In its place are floating islands, ancient ruins, towering cliffs and stormy skies.
It looks like exploration will once again be a major focus of the expansion with the trailer showing off the game’s impressive verticality. It also looks to build on the series’ weather system by introducing new weather effects and hazards that can appear during hunts.
Introducing Master Rank difficulty to the game.
For those unfamiliar with Master Rank, it is essentially the post-game loop of the Monster Hunter series that sees players take on more powerful variants of the game’s monsters with increased rewards and more challenging quests.
For longtime Monster Hunter fans, Master Rank is seen as a defining characteristic of the series and one that is sorely missed in other action-adventure games.
New Monsters Join the Hunt
No Monster Hunter expansion would be complete without the addition of new monsters. Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance looks to continue this tradition with the reveal of several new creatures during the trailer. Among the new beasts is a flying wyvern that utilizes sound attacks and packs with other monsters to take down players.
Capcom also announced the return of several Elder Dragons with Kushala Daora making an appearance alongside the long awaited return of Lao-Shan Lung. While the return of Kushala Daora has been met with mixed reactions from the community, the prospect of fighting Lao-Shan Lung has been met with universal acclaim.
Final Thoughts
A new Area, Master Rank difficulty, the return of familiar Elder Dragons, new monsters, fresh combat mechanics, and a brand-new campaign—all of this has already been teased for the expansion. Given Capcom’s track record of supporting their Monster Hunter games with massive updates, Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance has the potential to be one of the biggest releases of 2027.
I can’t wait to get back on the hunt with my crew. The Dual Blades are ready! Hopefully, we won't have to wait much longer.