The wait is finally over, and the highly anticipated Iceborne expansion to Monster Hunter World has arrived. As the largest update to the game since its release in 2018, Iceborne promises to bring a wealth of new content to the already massive world of Monster Hunter. But just how much new content can players expect, and how many hours of gameplay does Iceborne add to the base game?
The Size of the Update
Before diving into the specifics of what Iceborne adds, it’s essential to understand just how massive this update is. The Iceborne update weighs in at a staggering 48.2 GB on PlayStation 4, making it one of the largest updates to a game in recent memory. To put that into perspective, the entire base game of Monster Hunter World is around 46 GB in size, meaning the Iceborne update is almost as large as the entire original game.
This massive update is chock-full of new content, including new quests, monsters, areas, and gameplay mechanics. But just how many hours of gameplay does Iceborne add to the base game?
New Quests and Storyline
One of the most significant additions to Monster Hunter World with Iceborne is the new storyline and quests. The Iceborne storyline takes place after the events of the base game and introduces a new mysterious phenomenon known as the “Old Everwinter” that has caused a deep freeze to engulf the Hoarfrost Reach. As the hunter, it’s up to you to uncover the source of this phenomenon and put an end to it.
The new storyline consists of 24 new story quests, each with its unique objectives and challenges. These quests are designed to be more challenging than the base game, with tougher monsters and more complex combat encounters. Completing all 24 story quests will take around 10-15 hours, depending on the player’s skill level and playstyle.
New Monsters and Variants
Iceborne introduces a total of 31 new monsters to the game, including brand new species, subspecies, and variants of existing monsters. These new monsters offer a fresh challenge to hunters, with unique abilities and attack patterns that require new strategies to take them down.
One of the most notable additions is the “Raging Brachydios,” a powerful variant of the Brachydios that is sure to test even the most experienced hunters. Other notable additions include the “Shara Ishvalda,” a massive dragon that serves as the final boss of the Iceborne storyline, and the “Velkhana,” a powerful ice-based monster that is sure to become a fan favorite.
Monster Hunter World’s Largest Monster Yet
One of the most impressive additions to Iceborne is the “Savage Deviljho,” a massive variant of the Deviljho that is the largest monster in Monster Hunter World to date. This behemoth of a monster is a formidable foe that requires a team of skilled hunters to take down.
New Areas and Environments
Iceborne introduces a brand new area to the game known as the “Hoarfrost Reach,” a frozen tundra filled with snow-covered mountains, icy caves, and frozen lakes. This new area offers a fresh environment to explore, complete with new flora and fauna to discover.
The Hoarfrost Reach is also home to several new hunting grounds, each with its unique features and challenges. These new areas offer a new playground for hunters to explore and take on the toughest monsters in the game.
Quality of Life Changes
Iceborne isn’t just about adding new content; it also makes several quality of life changes to the base game. One of the most significant changes is the addition of a new “Clutch Claw” tool that allows hunters to grapple onto monsters and deal massive damage. This new tool adds a whole new layer of strategy to combat, making it easier for hunters to take down even the toughest monsters.
Other quality of life changes include improvements to the game’s UI, new customization options for hunters, and several bug fixes that address long-standing issues with the base game.
Improved Multiplayer Features
Iceborne also makes several improvements to the game’s multiplayer features. One of the most notable additions is the “Raider Ride” feature, which allows hunters to ride on top of certain monsters and deal damage to them as they’re riding. This new feature adds a whole new level of cooperation to multiplayer hunts, making it easier for teams to take down even the toughest monsters.
How Many Hours of Gameplay Does Iceborne Add?
So, just how many hours of gameplay does Iceborne add to Monster Hunter World? The answer is a lot. With 24 new story quests, 31 new monsters, and several new areas to explore, Iceborne adds a minimum of 50-60 hours of new gameplay to the base game. However, this number can easily increase to 100 hours or more, depending on the player’s skill level and playstyle.
Iceborne is not just a simple expansion; it’s a full-fledged update that transforms Monster Hunter World into a whole new game. Whether you’re a veteran hunter or new to the series, Iceborne offers a wealth of new content to explore and conquer.
| New Content | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| New Story Quests | 10-15 hours |
| New Monsters and Variants | 20-30 hours |
| New Areas and Environments | 10-15 hours |
| Quality of Life Changes | 5-10 hours |
| Multiplayer Features | 10-20 hours |
| Total | 65-110 hours |
As you can see, Iceborne adds a significant amount of new content to Monster Hunter World, easily doubling the game’s original playtime. Whether you’re a fan of the series or new to the world of Monster Hunter, Iceborne is an absolute must-play. So, grab your gear, and get ready to take on the frosty wilderness of the Hoarfrost Reach. The hunt is on!
What is Iceborne and how does it expand Monster Hunter World?
Iceborne is the major expansion pack to Monster Hunter World, providing a massive amount of new content to the game. It adds a new storyline, new monsters, new areas to explore, and new gameplay mechanics to master. With Iceborne, players will have access to a wealth of new features and content that will extend their gameplay experience.
The expansion pack introduces a new region called the Hoarfrost Reach, a snowy landscape filled with towering ice formations and treacherous terrain. The new storyline takes players on a journey to uncover the secrets of this mysterious region, completing quests and battling powerful monsters along the way. Overall, Iceborne offers a significant expansion to the Monster Hunter World universe, providing many hours of new gameplay and adventure.
How many hours of gameplay does Iceborne add to Monster Hunter World?
Iceborne adds a substantial amount of gameplay to Monster Hunter World, with estimates suggesting that it can take around 30-50 hours to complete the main storyline and quests. However, this number can vary greatly depending on the player’s skill level and playstyle. Additionally, the expansion pack includes a wealth of post-game content, including new monsters to hunt and challenges to overcome.
To put this in perspective, completing the main story of Monster Hunter World took around 20-30 hours, depending on the player’s pace. Iceborne adds roughly double the amount of content, providing a similar or even longer playtime experience. Furthermore, the expansion pack introduces new gameplay mechanics and systems, which will require additional time to master and explore.
What new monsters can I expect to encounter in Iceborne?
Iceborne introduces a wide range of new monsters to the game, each with its unique characteristics, abilities, and weaknesses. Some of the new monsters include the Velkhana, a regal and powerful ice dragon; the Banbaro, a massive, hammer-wielding beast; and the Shara Ishvalda, a mysterious, armored creature. These new monsters offer a fresh challenge for hunters, requiring strategies and tactics to defeat.
The expansion pack also includes new subspecies of existing monsters, providing a new level of difficulty and complexity. These new monsters and subspecies will require hunters to adapt their skills and equipment to take them down. Furthermore, Iceborne includes new encounter scenarios and events, such as the “Raging Brachydios” and the “Furious Rajang”, which will test hunters’ skills in new and exciting ways.
What new areas can I explore in Iceborne?
Iceborne introduces a brand-new region called the Hoarfrost Reach, a vast and inhospitable landscape of snowy mountains, frozen lakes, and treacherous ice caves. This new region offers a unique environment to explore, complete with new terrain, new resources to gather, and new secrets to uncover. The Hoarfrost Reach is also home to the Seliana Base Camp, a new social hub where players can interact with other hunters, trade items, and take part in special events.
The Hoarfrost Reach is filled with hidden secrets and areas to discover, including hidden caves, ancient ruins, and mysterious landmarks. Exploring this new region will require hunters to adapt to the harsh environment, using their skills and equipment to overcome the challenges of the frozen wilderness. With its stunning landscapes and hidden secrets, the Hoarfrost Reach offers a fresh and exciting environment to explore.
What new gameplay mechanics and systems does Iceborne introduce?
Iceborne introduces several new gameplay mechanics and systems to Monster Hunter World, including the “Clutch Claw”, a new grappling hook that allows hunters to latch onto monsters and deal massive damage. The expansion pack also includes new combat abilities, such as the “Slashing Ammo” for the gunlance, and the “MeatShield” for the hammer. These new mechanics offer a fresh way to play the game and take down monsters.
Iceborne also includes new systems, such as the “Resource Canteen”, which allows hunters to craft and upgrade their equipment using resources gathered in the Hoarfrost Reach. The expansion pack also introduces new multiplayer features, such as the “Hunter Helper” system, which allows low-ranking hunters to join high-ranking hunters on quests. These new mechanics and systems add depth and variety to the Monster Hunter World gameplay experience.
Do I need to complete Monster Hunter World’s main story to play Iceborne?
While it’s not strictly necessary to complete the main story of Monster Hunter World to play Iceborne, it’s highly recommended. Iceborne assumes that players have completed the main story and have a good understanding of the game’s mechanics and systems. The expansion pack’s storyline builds upon the events of the main game, and players who haven’t completed it may find themselves lost or confused.
Furthermore, the new monsters and challenges introduced in Iceborne are geared towards players who have already completed the main story and have a decent set of skills and equipment. Players who haven’t completed the main story may find the new content too difficult or overwhelming.
Can I play Iceborne solo or do I need to play with others?
Iceborne can be played solo, and the expansion pack includes a wealth of content that can be completed without the need for other players. However, Monster Hunter World is a game that’s designed to be played with others, and Iceborne is no exception. The expansion pack includes new multiplayer features and events that are best experienced with a team of hunters.
Playing with others allows for greater flexibility and strategy when taking down monsters, and the new multiplayer features introduced in Iceborne make it easier than ever to join forces with other hunters. That being said, solo players can still enjoy the new content and challenges introduced in Iceborne, and the game’s difficulty can be adjusted to accommodate solo play.