Worlds Collide: ‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ and ‘Final Fantasy XIV’ Crossover Reveals a Clear Winner

The realms of Eorzea and the Forbidden Lands are about to collide once again. In a monumental, two-way collaboration announced at Gamescom 2025’s Opening Night Live, the developers behind Monster Hunter Wilds and Final Fantasy XIV revealed a new crossover event that will bring the two titanic franchises together in a spectacular display of creativity and fan service. The collaboration, which will see content drop in both games in late September and early October, is a strategic move that not only builds on the success of the previous Monster Hunter World event but also gives each community a unique and thrilling experience. While both games are getting exciting new content, a close look at the details reveals one side of this crossover is a clear winner in terms of pure, high-stakes fun: Monster Hunter Wilds.

This article dives into the specifics of the crossover, breaking down the content for each game and explaining why one side of this epic clash has a more compelling and challenging offering.

The Monster Hunter Wilds Side: Omega Planetes Descends

The Monster Hunter Wilds side of the crossover, which will launch in late September as part of a free Title Update, is a treasure trove of content that is sure to excite players. The trailer showcased a number of new additions, including cosmetic items, a new Endemic Life, and a brand-new, terrifying monster to hunt:

• Chocobo Mounts: Players will be able to get a Chocobo-themed cosmetic skin for their Seikret mount. This is a huge win for fans of Final Fantasy and provides a stylish new way to traverse the game’s expansive world.
• Cactuars and Moogles: The classic Cactuars, with their iconic needles and speedy movements, will be added to the game’s roster of “Endemic Life.” While they likely won’t be a huntable monster, their presence will add a touch of whimsy and fan service to the world.
• Omega Planetes: This is the crown jewel of the collaboration. A new, terrifying monster based on Omega, one of Final Fantasy XIV’s most memorable and challenging raid bosses, is being added to the game. Omega is a gigantic, laser-spitting robotic machine that will provide a monumental challenge for even the most experienced hunters. Its presence in the game is a massive upgrade over the previous Behemoth collaboration, which, while fun, was not as mechanically complex. Omega is a boss that is known for its multi-phase attacks and its ability to wipe entire parties, and bringing that level of challenge to the Monster Hunter universe is a game-changer. This hunt will be a true test of a hunter’s skill, forcing them to use every tool at their disposal to survive. This is not just a fight; it’s a monumental boss battle that is sure to be talked about for years to come.

The Final Fantasy XIV Side: Arkveld Enters Eorzea

While the Monster Hunter Wilds side of the crossover is getting a massive new boss, the Final Fantasy XIV side is also getting some interesting content. The event, which will launch in early October, will bring a piece of the Forbidden Lands to Eorzea, including a new mount, new armor, and a new trial:

• Seikret Mount: Players will be able to acquire a new mount based on the Seikret, the new companion from Monster Hunter Wilds. This is a nice cosmetic addition that is a direct inverse of the Chocobo mount in Wilds.
• Arkveld Trial: This is the main event for Final Fantasy XIV players. A new, high-level trial will see the Warrior of Light face off against Arkveld, the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Wilds. The trial will likely be a fun and challenging new encounter, but it faces one major hurdle: it’s a one-off boss fight. While the fight will likely be as cinematic and well-designed as all of FFXIV’s trials, it simply doesn’t have the same long-term appeal as hunting a monster like Omega. In Monster Hunter, the hunt itself is the main event, and a monster like Omega can be farmed for its parts to craft new weapons and armor, providing a lasting incentive for players to keep coming back.

The Verdict: A Win for Hunters

While both games are getting great content, the Monster Hunter Wilds side of the collaboration is the clear winner. The addition of a multi-phase, end-game raid boss like Omega is a monumental feat that promises a level of challenge and replayability that the Final Fantasy XIV side simply cannot match. While the Arkveld trial will be fun, it will likely be a one-and-done experience for most players, with a single set of cosmetic rewards. The Omega hunt, on the other hand, provides a deep, rewarding, and long-term challenge that is the very heart of the Monster Hunter franchise. This is a game that is not just adding a new monster; it’s adding a new kind of hunt, a new challenge, and a new reason to keep coming back to the Forbidden Lands. The collaboration is a testament to the friendship between two of gaming’s biggest franchises, but when it comes to a true test of skill and a deep, rewarding gameplay loop, the hunters have clearly won the day.