In Monster Hunter Wilds, crafting equipment from monster remains remains central, reflecting the series' core concept: harnessing monster power to enhance your hunter's abilities. However, Wilds introduces a unique twist: a significant focus on the starting equipment.
Kaname Fujioka, Executive Director and Art Director, explains that while previous games featured simple starting weapons, Wilds provides a chosen hunter with impressive initial gear. Fujioka personally designed all 14 starting weapon types from scratch, a first for the series, aiming to portray the protagonist as a seasoned hunter from the outset.
Yuya Tokuda, Director, highlights the unique design of each weapon, unlike Monster Hunter: World, where designs were primarily based on monster materials. The starting armor, the "Hope" series, is equally detailed, reflecting the hunter's experienced status and the game's narrative.
The Hope armor set, a deep emerald green hooded long coat, represents a significant design challenge, requiring careful integration of individual pieces to create a cohesive ensemble. Fujioka emphasizes the considerable resources invested in achieving this seamless design, contrasting with previous games' limitations. While encouraging exploration of various equipment throughout the game, the Hope series is designed to be stylish and subtly impressive, suitable even for late-game use.
The meticulous design of the 14 starting weapons and the Hope armor set showcases the developers' commitment to creating a compelling and visually impressive experience from the very beginning, reflecting the protagonist's status as a skilled, chosen hunter.
