Capcom's blockbuster title, Monster Hunter Wilds, is facing a fresh wave of controversy as a bizarre technical explanation emerges for its persistently poor performance on PC. The issue, according to a detailed investigation by a modder, is intrinsically linked to the game's system for checking downloadable content (DLC).
The DLC Dilemma: A Performance Killer
Monster Hunter Wilds launched in February 2025 to record-breaking sales, moving eight million units in its first three days to become Capcom's fastest-selling game ever. However, its momentum sharply declined in subsequent months, with older titles outselling it, and it garnered little recognition during awards season.
While post-launch updates have tackled criticism over endgame content, complaints about subpar PC performance have remained. A modder known as de_Tylmarande has now provided a lengthy technical analysis, suggesting the root cause is an overly aggressive DLC ownership check function built into the game's code.
The Modder's Discovery
Through experimentation, de_Tylmarande managed to bypass the game's routine that verifies which pieces of DLC a player owns. The game features a vast array of cosmetic DLC; purchasing every available item, including the official soundtrack, would cost a staggering £461.53 on Steam.
Intriguingly, tricking the game into thinking all DLC was installed—without actually unlocking the content—resulted in a dramatic performance improvement. "Performance went through the roof," de_Tylmarande reported. "The game literally flies." The implication is that the game constantly re-scans for owned DLC, and the less a player has, the more intensive and frequent these checks become, hampering performance.
Community Backlash and Capcom's Response
The revelation has sparked anger within the PC gaming community. Some players have left negative Steam reviews, accusing Capcom of creating a "pay to win" scenario for performance, a claim the modder explicitly states is unlikely to be deliberate. "Capcom focused so hard on microtransactions that they implemented an insanely crooked and aggressive DLC ownership check function," de_Tylmarande stated, but added they believe it is a weird bug rather than intentional.
The modder has not released their fix publicly, warning others against testing it and stating they have already sent their findings to Capcom in hopes of an official patch. They have promised to finish and release the mod only as a last resort if the publisher fails to address the problem.
For now, PC players await an official response from Capcom, hoping for a fix that untangles game performance from the complex web of downloadable content checks.
