Hunter Gear Guide: Exclusive IGN Details on Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds: A Deep Dive into the Starting Equipment

Many Monster Hunter players cherish the thrill of crafting powerful equipment from hard-earned monster materials. This core gameplay loop – defeating formidable beasts and then wielding their power – is central to the series' appeal. However, in Monster Hunter Wilds, the developers have placed unprecedented emphasis on the initial gear.

In an interview with IGN, Executive Director and Art Director Kaname Fujioka revealed the design philosophy behind the game's equipment. While past titles often directly reflected the monster's appearance in its corresponding armor (e.g., Rathalos armor resembling a Rathalos), Wilds offers a wider range of designs. Rompopolo, a mad scientist-themed monster, for instance, boasts head armor resembling a plague doctor's mask.

Beyond the unique monster-themed gear, Fujioka highlights the meticulous crafting of the starting equipment: "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. This is a first for me. Usually, starting weapons are basic, but our protagonist is a chosen hunter, so plain weapons wouldn't fit. I wanted them to feel like a star, even initially."

Director Yuya Tokuda adds that Wilds' weapon designs differ significantly from previous entries. In Monster Hunter: World, weapons retained a base form with cosmetic variations based on materials. Wilds, however, features unique designs for each weapon. This aligns with the game's narrative, positioning the player as a seasoned hunter investigating the Forbidden Lands.

The starting armor, the "Hope" series, is equally detailed and story-driven.

"The design is incredibly cool; you could use it until the end and it wouldn't feel out of place," Tokuda explains.

The Hope set, featuring a deep emerald green hue, transforms into a hooded long coat upon completion. Fujioka notes the considerable effort invested in its design: "We gave more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment. Previous games had separate upper and lower body armor; we couldn't create a coat. But I wanted to, so we invested resources to make it happen. While players will discover diverse equipment, we wanted the Hope series to be stylish yet not overly flashy."

The dedication to the starting equipment is remarkable. The 14 unique weapons and the Hope armor set the stage for a compelling Monster Hunter experience, portraying the player character as a truly formidable hunter from the outset.