Monster Hunter Wilds: A Deep Dive into Starting Equipment
Many Monster Hunter players cite crafting new equipment as a major draw. The satisfaction of a complete armor set and matching weapon, painstakingly earned through repeated hunts, is a core element of the series' appeal. This crafting system has always been central to the Monster Hunter experience: defeat monsters, then utilize their remains to craft powerful equipment, effectively embodying their power.
In an interview with IGN, Executive Director and Art Director Kaname Fujioka discussed the design philosophy behind Monster Hunter's equipment. While acknowledging the expanded design range in recent titles, he highlighted a previous focus on visual consistency: "If you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you'll look like Rathalos." Wilds introduces new monsters and their distinctive equipment, such as Rompopolo's plague doctor-esque head armor.
However, the developers emphasize the significance of the starting equipment in Wilds. Fujioka explains: "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. Until now, starting weapons were primitive. But as the protagonist is a chosen hunter, a plain weapon wouldn't feel right. I wanted to give the feeling of being a star, even with starting equipment."
Director Yuya Tokuda adds that unlike Monster Hunter: World, where weapon designs were largely standardized with variations based on materials, Wilds features uniquely designed weapons. The starting armor, the "Hope" series, reflects the player's experienced hunter status, tasked with investigating the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda notes the detail put into the armor to align with the narrative.
The Hope set, a deep emerald green ensemble forming a hooded long coat, presented unique design challenges. Fujioka explains the extensive effort invested: "We've given more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment. Previous games had separate upper and lower body armor; we couldn't depict a coat. We invested a lot of in-game resources to make a single flowing hooded coat. We wanted the Hope series to be elegant but not overly flashy, allowing players to explore other equipment later."
Starting the game with such meticulously crafted equipment is a notable luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope armor set are designed to establish the player as a formidable hunter from the outset, promising a detailed and rewarding experience.
