Monster Hunter Wilds: A Deep Dive into the Starting Equipment
Many Monster Hunter players cite crafting new equipment from hard-earned hunt materials as a major draw. The satisfaction of a complete armor set and matching weapon, painstakingly acquired, is a core element of the series' appeal.
The Monster Hunter franchise has always centered on this concept: defeat monsters, then harness their power through crafted gear. Players conquer powerful beasts, then integrate those beasts' abilities into their own arsenals to become even stronger.
In an IGN interview, Kaname Fujioka, Executive Director and Art Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, explained the equipment design philosophy: "While our designs are more diverse now, we used to focus on the idea that wearing Rathalos gear would make you look like a Rathalos." Wilds introduces new monsters, each with distinctive and colorful equipment. Rompopolo, a mad scientist-inspired monster, for instance, has head armor resembling a plague doctor's mask (see the accompanying hunt video).
However, the developers emphasize the significance of the initial equipment. Fujioka stated, "I designed all 14 starting weapon types from scratch – a first for me. Previously, starting weapons were basic. But our protagonist is a chosen hunter; plain weapons wouldn't fit. I wanted even the starting equipment to feel 'star-worthy.'"
Yuya Tokuda, Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, added, "In Monster Hunter: World, weapon designs were largely consistent, with variations based on monster materials. In Wilds, each weapon has a unique design."
This starting equipment reflects the narrative: the player is a seasoned hunter tasked with investigating the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda highlighted the detail in the starting armor:
"The starting armor, the 'Hope' series, is incredibly stylish; you could use it until the end and it wouldn't look out of place."
The Hope set, with its deep emerald green, forms a hooded long coat when complete. Fujioka explained the design challenge: "We paid more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment. Previous games had separate upper and lower armor; we couldn't create a coat. But I wanted a flowing hooded coat. We achieved this by investing significant resources. We want players to try new equipment, so the Hope set is stylish but not overly flashy."
Starting with such meticulously crafted equipment is a luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are designed for a seasoned, impressive hunter. We eagerly anticipate examining their details in the final game.
