One of Monster Hunter World‘s prominent new features is the ease of online play, but sometimes you just want to play offline in single-player mode. Unfortunately, there’s not a readily apparent way to start single-player mode in Monster Hunter World from the save select screen. It’s causing many players to question if Monster Hunter World is online-only. The answer to that question is: kinda. To find out more, including how to play alone, read on below.
Is it Possible to Play Offline in Monster Hunter World?
Unfortunately, Monster Hunter World is more than a little obtuse with its online interface. When you go to load a game, you get a menu, and the only options are to create or join an online session. There’s no selection for an offline mode or single-player to be found in Monster Hunter World.
However, there are three ways to play Monster Hunter World single-player that the game doesn’t make apparent. Each of these methods restricts online features in one way or the other, and we’ll list them in order of least impact to online functionality to most impact.
Set Quest Player Limit to One
When you load a game of Monster Hunter World, you’re going to see a ton of names popping up of players joining your session. However, this doesn’t mean you have to play with them at all. You can effectively make the game single-player, while leaving the option open to access multiplayer features easily or join a multiplayer party later, by changing a few options when you begin a quest.
When it’s time for you to go on a quest, you have to use your Handler or a Quest Board to post your assignment. When you do that an options screen will be available, that asks what player limit you want to impose. The default is four players, but if you choose to limit it to one, then no one can join the quest with you. This makes Monster Hunter World equivalent to a single-player, offline game, while still giving you access to all the online features should you choose to use them.
Start a Private Session
When you start a private session in Monster Hunter World, you’re basically off the grid while still being online. To start a private session go to the save select screen and load your character. When it gives you the choice, you want to select to create an online session. In the menu after that, if you switch private session to “yes,” then you’ll start the game without any matchmaking, and other players can only join you if you give them your session ID.
Disable the Internet Connection on your Console
The only way to truly play Monster Hunter World offline is to disable your PS4 or Xbox One’s internet connection completely. With the way the game is set up, you’d think it would be restricted to always online. However, it’s not.
Monster Hunter World is completely capable of being played without an internet connection, though some options and features will be limited without one. You only get pushed to offline mode if you have no internet connection on your console or you’re not a subscriber to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live. If you meet those conditions, you’ll automatically be shunted to single-player only once the game starts.
For more on Monster Hunter World, check out our game hub or the guides below.
