Crafting equipment from slain monsters is a core element of the Monster Hunter experience, a concept deeply ingrained in the series' design philosophy. This tradition continues in Monster Hunter Wilds, but with a significant twist.
In an interview with IGN, Executive Director and Art Director Kaname Fujioka highlighted the series' design principle: "While the range of our designs has now grown broader, we used to be very conscious of the kind of idea that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you'll look like Rathalos." This carries over to Wilds' new monsters, such as Rompopolo, whose equipment includes a striking plague doctor-mask-like headpiece. A video showcasing this armor is available below.
However, the developers emphasize the significance of the starting equipment. Fujioka states, "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch… I wanted to make it feel like you're a bit of a star, even when you're only carrying starting equipment." This reflects the game's narrative, presenting the player character as a seasoned hunter.
Director Yuya Tokuda adds context to the weapon design, noting a departure from previous titles: "Weapon designs in Monster Hunter: World generally retained a certain form, but they featured a customized appearance based on which monster materials were used. However, in Wilds, each weapon has its own unique design.” The starting armor, the "Hope" series, receives similar attention to detail.
The Hope set, a deep emerald green hooded coat, represents a design challenge overcome by the team. Fujioka explains: "We've actually given more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment in this game… We made that happen in this game by investing a lot of in-game resources into it." While encouraging exploration of later equipment, the Hope set is designed to be stylish and functional throughout the game.
The meticulous design of the 14 starting weapons and the Hope armor set promises a compelling and visually impressive starting experience, setting a high bar for the rest of the game.
