Monster Hunter World PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X: Which Version Should You Buy?

Monster Hunter World has you hunting down gigantic beasts and slaying them with friends as you progress through a 40-hour campaign. You can do so on the PS4, Xbox One, PS4 Pro, Xbox One X, and soon enough, PC. Given Capcom’s fantastic track record of PC ports since Resident Evil 5, that should be the definitive version of the game. Until then though, Monster Hunter World is best played on Microsoft’s and Sony’s more powerful consoles - the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro respectively. So if you were wondering which of these to play it on, here’s what you need to know.

Monster Hunter World Review

Settings
Firing up the game on both consoles gives you three options. Prioritise Resolution enhances image quality by delivering sharper visuals (at 30fps). Prioritise Framerate lets you ensure a smoother performance over image quality or objects on screen. Prioritise Graphics increases the shadows and number of objects on screen, also at 30fps.

Frame rate
For most part, the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X versions of Monster Hunter World are similar. We saw very little difference between the two in terms of frame rate. Whether taking down hostile T-rex-inspired Anjanath or collecting herbs, it was equally smooth on both platforms. The only place where the Xbox One X appears to have the slightest of frame rate advantages seems to be in Astera, your hub in the game, where traversal seems just a little bit more responsive on Microsoft's console.

This aside, Monster Hunter World’s frame rate remains consistent regardless of your console of choice when in Resolution or Graphics mode. What’s disturbing though is that neither console manages to hit 60fps when choosing Prioritise Framerate as an option. Something for Capcom to add in an upcoming patch? We sure hope so.

Graphics
Visually, there’s not much difference between the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X, though the HDR implementation on the PS4 Pro appears to have greater depth in colours. Sections with fast movement, such as dodging a monster at the last moment or pulling off a flurry of attacks, has some blurring on the PS4 Pro when compared to the Xbox One X. Lighting and textures also appear just a bit more sharper on the Xbox One X, though it’s not particularly noticeable until you compare both versions of the game side by side.

Frame pacing
Frame pacing refers to scenarios where the game’s image does not look smooth even if the frame rate is what it should be. While some have reported frame pacing on the Xbox One X, we’ve not noticed any issues with either PS4 Pro or Xbox One X versions of the game. Responsiveness and image quality appear to be in sync with controller preference being the deciding factor, which brings us to the final point.

Monster Hunter World PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X - what to buy it on?
There’s little difference between both versions of Monster Hunter World. Granted certain elements like the frame rate could be better, it’s still a good looking game regardless of your console of choice. Considering the level of optimisation developer Capcom has managed to achieve with past PC titles, we are optimistic to see what the PC version brings. As it stands though, you really can’t go wrong with Monster Hunter World on either console.