Is it possible that buying DLC could actually make your game run better? That's the bizarre reality facing players of Monster Hunter Wilds on PC, and it all boils down to a quirky performance issue.
Reports initially suggested that purchasing downloadable content (DLC) somehow boosted frame rates. This sparked widespread interest and confusion, as detailed in a Reddit post by de_Tylmarande. While the initial claims were slightly exaggerated, the core issue is indeed real.
The problem isn't directly tied to having DLC, but rather the game constantly checking if you have it. In certain in-game areas, particularly hubs, the game's code can flood the CPU with these DLC checks. This leads to a noticeable performance hit, especially if you haven't purchased any DLC.
To understand the issue, a Ryzen 5 3600-based system paired with an Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti was used for testing. The 'Less DLC Checks' mod, which plugs into the RE Framework modding tool, was crucial. This mod highlights when the game is checking for DLC.
The mod's counter shows how many checks are made during gameplay. Initially, the counter registered zero checks. However, after interacting with a character offering the DLC menu, the counter went wild. In less than a minute, the game checked for DLC thousands of times, significantly increasing the CPU load. Even on the lowest settings with DLSS in ultra-performance mode at 1440p, the system was CPU-limited, and the DLC checks worsened the situation.
So, how much of a difference does it make?
- At max settings (1440p ultra with RT and DLSS balanced), the mod improved performance by 11.4%.
- On high settings with RT, the mod increased performance by 20%.
- On the lowest settings with RT off and DLSS in ultra-performance mode, performance increased by 25.6%.
The 'Less DLC Checks' mod description explains that the issue occurs when you're near a Support Desk Felyne, which handles bounties and the DLC menu. The game checks for DLC when there's a notification, impacting performance in base camps. It's not as game-breaking as some feared, but it's still a problem.
But here's where it gets controversial...
While the impact on actual gameplay might be limited, especially outside of hub areas, the issue highlights potential problems with the game's optimization. It's surprising that hub areas can significantly impact lower-end processors, even without the DLC checks.
This isn't a feature; it's a bug that Capcom should address with a relatively simple fix. In the meantime, the 'Less DLC Checks' mod offers a solution. However, it's worth noting that this is just one piece of the puzzle. There are wider performance issues with Monster Hunter Wilds on PC that need to be addressed.
What do you think? Do you agree that this DLC check issue is a significant problem, or is it a minor inconvenience? Have you experienced performance issues in Monster Hunter Wilds? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
