Exploring the Fiery Depths of Monster Hunter Wilds' Oilwell Basin
Monster Hunter Wilds introduces a new locale: the Oilwell Basin, a dynamic environment brimming with unique challenges and creatures. This article delves into the design philosophy behind this volcanic landscape, focusing on its ecosystem and its inhabitants, as explained by director Yuya Tokuda and executive director/art director Kaname Fujioka.
The Oilwell Basin is a vertically layered region, contrasting with the horizontally expansive Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest. The upper stratum receives sunlight, accumulating oil like mud, while lower levels become increasingly hotter, featuring lava and other fiery elements. This verticality influences the ecosystem, with creatures reminiscent of deep-sea or underwater volcano life inhabiting the lower strata. The developers drew upon their experience creating the Coral Highlands in Monster Hunter: World, adapting the concept of surface-dwelling aquatic life to this fiery environment. The basin's ecosystem thrives on geothermal energy, a stark contrast to the sunlight-dependent ecosystems of previous locales.
Rompopolo: The Toxic Trickster
Rompopolo, a globular, noxious monster, was conceived as a cunning foe utilizing stored toxic gas. Its design, inspired by the image of a mad scientist, features a chemical purple hue and glowing red eyes. Interestingly, its crafted equipment is described as surprisingly cute, a charming contrast to its hazardous nature.
Ajarakan: The Flaming Brawler
Ajarakan, a massive, flame-enveloped gorilla-like monster, offers a different kind of challenge. Unlike the Congalala, its silhouette is leaner, emphasizing its top-heavy build and towering presence. Its martial arts-inspired moves, focusing on powerful punches and slams, highlight its physical strength and fiery attacks. The design aimed for straightforward strength, but evolved to incorporate flashier moves during development, culminating in dynamic attacks involving melting and projectile-throwing.
Nu Udra: The Apex Predator
Ruling the Oilwell Basin is Nu Udra, a fiery octopus-like apex predator. Its slimy, flammable oil-covered body allows for unique, wriggling movements. The design, inspired by octopuses, features a striking silhouette and demonic horns, while intentionally obscuring its face. Its combat music incorporates elements of black magic, further enhancing its menacing aura. The development team had long desired to create a tentacled monster with dynamic movements, finally achieving this vision with Nu Udra, overcoming past technical limitations. Nu Udra's animations showcase impressive flexibility, allowing it to navigate the terrain and even enter small holes. All ground-contacting tentacles are severable, adding a strategic layer to combat. Its sensory organs, located at the tentacle tips, emit light to indicate target selection, and it is immune to Flash Bombs. The team emphasizes the action-game-like aspect of targeting specific parts to weaken the monster and gain an advantage.
Gravios' Return
The Oilwell Basin also features the return of Gravios, a rock-carapace covered monster that emits hot gas, perfectly fitting the environment. Its inclusion was carefully considered, ensuring it offered a unique and challenging encounter distinct from other monsters. Its hard body presents a strategic challenge, requiring hunters to utilize the wound system and part breaking to overcome its defenses.
A Glimpse at the Full Roster
While Basarios's appearance is absent this time, many other monsters inhabit the Oilwell Basin. The developers' meticulous approach to monster selection ensures each creature contributes to a rich and varied hunting experience.
The Oilwell Basin promises a thrilling and visually stunning hunting experience, showcasing the Monster Hunter team's dedication to creating memorable and challenging encounters.
