Monster Hunter Outlanders Release Date & Beta: What We Know So Far

By Mohammad Rauf • Senior Writer, In Game News

Release Date	Platforms	Developer
To Be Announced (Expected 2027 at Latest)	Android, iOS	TiMi Studios

The Monster Hunter series has long held a cherished spot in the hearts of gamers worldwide, known for its epic, challenging battles and deep, engaging systems across decades of mainline entries. Now, the hunt is indeed coming to the small screen in a big way with **Monster Hunter Outlanders (MHO)**, a mobile title aiming for the full, "mainline" experience. Forget the lighter fare of past mobile attempts; MHO is charging hard to deliver the authentic Monster Hunter thrill to your pocket. As Lead Tech Analyst here at In Game News, I've been keeping a close eye on this one. Producer Dong Huang has made a bold promise, stating that "it's time for mobile players to fully enjoy what makes Monster Hunter one of the most beloved franchises in gaming" with "an authentic hunting experience." Sounds incredibly good, right? Well, grab your pals and palicos, because we've gathered all the intel on what makes this upcoming title tick, from its speculative launch window to how you'll be taking down Rathalos on the go.

Monster Hunter Outlanders Release Date: Our Best Guess

Let's cut right to the chase: TiMi Studios, the minds behind MHO, haven't slapped a firm release date on this beast yet. However, we've got some strong indicators that give us a good sense of when we might finally be donning our gear. The closed beta, which wrapped up late last year, appeared remarkably polished. Based on that, our analysis suggests we're highly likely to get some concrete information by the close of 2026, with a full launch in 2027 at the very latest. TiMi Studio first showed off MHO towards the end of 2024, and even then, it was looking pretty solid. Since that initial reveal, the development team has clearly poured a ton of work into adding new content and refining features. According to a Developer Update that landed post-beta, the team is "working tirelessly to deliver the full release as soon as possible." Their current focus? Sharpening the hunting experience, boosting performance, and generally addressing feedback gathered from the beta testers. This dedication to polish before launch is a welcome sight, especially for a series with such high expectations.

Monster Hunter Outlanders Beta: What We Learned

The first taste of MHO was served up during a closed beta test, which ran for a week from **Thursday, November 27, to Thursday, December 4, 2025**. This exclusive test was available on both Android and iOS devices, limited to lucky hunters in Japan, Canada, and the USA. Unfortunately, if you missed out, that beta window is now firmly shut, and TiMi Studio has yet to announce another. However, we at In Game News are fairly confident we'll see a global beta test sometime in 2026. It makes sense, right? Give the dev team time to implement all those fixes and improvements gleaned from the initial feedback before unleashing it on a wider audience. We'll be updating this guide the moment any new beta news drops, so keep us bookmarked! In the meantime, you can still pore over the official Closed Beta Information and Closed Beta FAQ posts on the Monster Hunter Outlanders website to get the lowdown, or check out the Adventurer's Digest video for a peek at the team's reaction to the beta feedback.

How to Stay Updated on Monster Hunter Outlanders

While you can't hit the pre-registration button on Google Play or the App Store just yet, you absolutely can sign up for updates directly through the Monster Hunter Outlanders website. Just head over to the official site, click that "sign up now" button, and punch in your email. This is your best bet for staying plugged into all the latest MHO news and, crucially, getting the heads-up on any future test announcements. Beyond email, following MHO's official channels on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube is a smart move. And for the real hardcore, jumping into the official Discord channel is usually where you'll find the freshest developments and community chatter.

Monster Hunter Outlanders Gameplay: An Authentic Mobile Hunt?

Alright, let's talk brass tacks: what's it actually like to play Monster Hunter Outlanders? It's a mobile ARPG, explicitly designed to mirror the core experience of a mainline Monster Hunter game. As the name boldly suggests, you'll embark on hunts, either as a lone wolf or with a squad of up to four players, all with the singular goal of taking down one or more target monsters. Just like its console brethren, MHO offers a diverse arsenal of weapons, each boasting a distinct playstyle and feel. And for all you veteran hunters, expect to clash with a host of familiar foes, alongside a few new variants to keep things fresh, as shown in our guide to confirmed monsters.

Characters & Monetization: A New Approach?

One standout feature that deviates from the series' established formula is the Monster Hunter Outlanders character system. While you'll still create your own customizable hunter, MHO also lets you step into the boots of several unique, pre-designed adventurers. These adventurers come specialized in different weapons and seem to have ties to specific monsters, their aesthetics and armor reflecting those beasts. In a Discord chat with TiMi Studio leading up to MHO's TGS appearance, the team revealed that players will be able to "obtain new adventurers for free by playing and through daily challenges." They also noted that "there will also be the option to pay for new adventurers." Our take? This sounds like a thoughtful approach. It strongly indicates this won't be a typical gacha game, which is a huge win for many in the mobile space. Instead, it seems we'll get a roster of both obtainable and purchasable characters that you can either play as or bring along on your hunts. This offers a different kind of customization and strategy that could really spice up the hunting experience on mobile.