Monster Hunter Wilds: A Deep Dive into Starting Equipment
What excites Monster Hunter players? Many cite the thrill of crafting powerful equipment from hard-earned monster materials. The satisfaction of a complete armor set, perfectly matched with a weapon, is a core element of the series' appeal.
The series' equipment design philosophy is simple yet effective: defeat monsters, then harness their power through crafted gear. Players use their skill to overcome powerful beasts, transforming those beasts' strengths into their own.
In an IGN interview, Kaname Fujioka (Executive Director and Art Director) explained this concept: "While our designs have broadened, we were once very conscious of the idea that Rathalos equipment should make you look like Rathalos." Wilds introduces new monsters and their unique, visually striking equipment. Rompopolo, a mad scientist-inspired monster, boasts head armor resembling a plague doctor's mask (seen in the embedded video below).
However, the developers emphasize the significance of the starting equipment. Fujioka stated, "I designed all 14 starting weapon types from scratch—a first for me. Previously, starting weapons were primitive. But our protagonist is a chosen hunter; a plain weapon wouldn't fit. I wanted even the starting equipment to feel 'star-like'."
Yuya Tokuda (Director) adds, "In World, weapon designs retained a base form, customized by monster materials. In Wilds, each weapon has a unique design." This reflects the story: the player is an experienced hunter investigating the Forbidden Lands. The starting armor, the "Hope" series, is equally detailed.
Tokuda explains, "The Hope armor's design is so cool, you could use it until the end. It wouldn't feel out of place."
The deep emerald green Hope set forms a hooded long coat when complete. Fujioka details the design process: "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. We invested significant resources to achieve this flowing hooded coat. Players will find diverse equipment, but we wanted the Hope series to be elegantly cool without overwhelming other gear."
Starting with such meticulously crafted equipment is a luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series portray a truly impressive hunter. We eagerly await experiencing their detail in the final game.
