Monster Hunter’s new mobile spin‑off opens beta sign‑ups—but you’ll need a beefy phone and an NDA

Monster Hunter on mobile goes survival sandbox-here’s what actually matters

Monster Hunter Outlanders is opening its first Closed Beta Test, and the pitch is bold: a free-to-play, open-world survival spin on Monster Hunter built for iOS and Android. The closed beta itself runs from November 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST to December 4, 2025 at 1:00 AM PST, with recruitment open now until November 7, 2025 (UTC-7). That’s great-if you’re 18+, have a Level Infinite Pass account, a modern phone, and you’re okay signing your gameplay away to a strict confidentiality agreement. This caught my attention because Monster Hunter on mobile usually means compromises; the real question is whether TiMi Studio Group (the team behind COD: Mobile and Pokémon Unite) can make the hunt feel right without turning it into a gacha grind.

Key takeaways

• Closed Beta dates: November 27-December 4 (PST). Expect a full data wipe after it ends.
• Sign-ups: Open now through November 7 (UTC-7); invites go out within five days after recruitment closes.
• Requirements: iPhone 12/iOS 17 or Android with Snapdragon 888 and 8GB RAM minimum. Older devices likely struggle.
• Strict NDA: No streaming, no screenshots. Break it and risk a ban.
• New angle: Open-world island (Aesoland), “Radiant Species” monsters altered by Radiantite, and heavier survival/crafting focus.

Breaking down the announcement

Outlanders is set on Aesoland, a big open zone with survival systems layered onto the familiar hunt-craft-upgrade loop. The twist is Radiantite-an in-world mineral that warps monsters into “Radiant Species” with boosted aggression and new behaviors. It’s a solid idea for shaking up encounters, especially if it forces on-the-fly strategy shifts instead of recycled attack patterns. The beta promises exploration, expanded crafting, and tweaks to weapon skills that fit mobile controls. If you’ve mained Long Sword or Bow across World and Rise, the core rhythm should feel familiar—but expect streamlined inputs and mobility assists to make touch viable.

The bigger narrative here: Capcom is letting TiMi try a mobile-first, free-to-play take right as the brand heats up again (Monster Hunter Wilds is due in 2025 on console/PC). If Outlanders nails feel and pacing, it could become the “play-anywhere” on-ramp that Monster Hunter Now never quite became for core hunters. If it leans too hard into timers and boosts, it’ll be another cautionary tale of a great combat model diluted by mobile monetization.

How to get in (and avoid getting bounced)

Recruitment is open through November 7, 2025 (UTC-7). You’ll need to be 18 or older, sign in with a Level Infinite Pass account, and apply on the official site. The test is limited to select regions, so don’t be surprised if you’re ineligible based on location. Invitations are scheduled to roll out within five days after recruitment ends—so if you haven’t heard anything by mid-November, assume you didn’t make the cut. If you do get in, remember: progress wipes after the beta, and violation of the confidentiality rules will likely nuke your access.

Specs and performance reality check

The minimum spec—iPhone 12/iOS 17 on Apple’s side and Snapdragon 888 with 8GB RAM on Android—tells you everything: this is a visually ambitious mobile game that’s going to chew battery and generate heat. If your phone throttles under load, prioritize a 30 fps cap and medium settings over chasing ultra. Close background apps, play on Wi‑Fi, and bring a charger. This isn’t a budget device affair, and if you’re on a midrange Android with 6GB, don’t expect a pleasant time.

What to actually test in the beta

• Controls and camera: Can you reliably dodge, aim, and manage combos on touch without claw hands? Try multiple weapons, not just your comfort pick.
• Monster behavior: Do Radiant Species genuinely remix patterns or just add particle spam and HP sponges?
• Crafting and pacing: Is gear progression satisfying or do materials feel throttled to nudge you toward boosts?
• Network stability: Any rubber-banding mid-hunt? If co-op is available in the CBT, see how latency impacts hit registration.
• Battery and heat: Track session length before thermal throttling; tweak settings until fights stay consistent.

Monetization watchlist (because it’s free-to-play)

TiMi’s free-to-play pedigree includes slick polish and aggressive monetization. That’s not a moral judgment—it’s a pattern. During the beta, keep an eye out for placeholders that hint at the live game: premium currencies, timers on crafting, stamina gates on hunts, or “material boost” items that speed farming. Monster Hunter works because the grind is honest: you hunt, you craft, you get stronger from your skill and your set. If Outlanders preserves that loop and keeps the shop to cosmetics, battle passes, and convenience, we’re good. If gear power or drop rates get monetized, expect backlash.

The confidentiality catch

The CBT enforces strict confidentiality. Translated: don’t stream, don’t post clips, don’t share screenshots, and don’t publish impressions that reveal restricted content. It’s frustrating for hype, but it also signals the build may be rough and the team wants focused feedback, not viral dunking. If you’re accepted, read the rules carefully—losing access over a stray tweet would be the most mobile-game way to go out.

What this could mean for hunters

Best case, Outlanders becomes the first mobile Monster Hunter that respects your time and skill while letting you roam a proper open map. Worst case, it’s gorgeous but gated by monetization and phone thermals. I’m cautiously optimistic because TiMi knows how to make responsive mobile combat—but I’m skeptical until I see how progression and monetization land. Either way, if you’ve got the hardware and patience for an NDA, this beta is worth a shot.

TL;DR

Sign-ups for Monster Hunter Outlanders’ closed beta are live now until November 7 (UTC-7). The test runs November 27-December 4 (PST), wipes progress, needs at least an iPhone 12 or Snapdragon 888/8GB, and comes with a strict NDA. Expect an open-world island, new Radiant monsters, and survival-crafting—plus the usual mobile F2P questions we all need answered.