Monster Hunter Wilds directors reveal a whole new locale and ferocious monster to beat through an exclusive interview. Dive into the details about the Oilwell Basin and its king, the Nu Udra.
Monster Hunter Wilds Introduces The Black Flame, Nu Udra
Welcome To Oilwell Basin
In an exclusive interview with IGN, Monster Hunter Wilds directors Yuya Tokuda and Kaname Fujioka introduce players to one of the areas they'll be able to explore in the full game: the Oilwell Basin, as well as the gallant monster that rules over its lands, the Nu Udra.Oilwell Basin stands out due to its vertical structure, a departure from the series' typical horizontally expansive locales. "We had two horizontally broad locales in the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, so we decided to make the Oilwell Basin a vertically connected place. The deeper you go, the more magma-filled and hot it gets," explained Fujioka. He noted that the top strata are primarily composed of oil-like swamps, creating a unique "gradation" throughout the area.
Tokuda added that the area transforms during the event known as the Plenty. When you venture to the center or bottom levels, the Oilwell Basin resembles an underwater volcano ecosystem. The team leveraged their experience from designing the Coral Highlands in Monster Hunter World to craft the Oilwell Basin's unique state during the Plenty. "During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke billows from everywhere in the Oilwell Basin, giving it the appearance of a volcano or hot spring. But during the Plenty, it adopts a clear, marine-like tone. If you look closely at the environmental biology, you'll notice it's home to creatures typically found on the ocean floor," Tokuda explained.
These native creatures enhance the distinctiveness of the Oilwell Basin, making it a seemingly lifeless yet teeming environment.
Nu Udra, The Black Flame
No Monster Hunter locale is complete without its apex predator, and the Oilwell Basin is ruled by the "Black Flame," Nu Udra. This massive, octopus-like monster has a slimy, flammable body adapted to its environment. It uses its slithering tentacles to ensnare prey before incinerating them with scorching flames. Alongside Windward Plains' Rey Dau, who commands lightning, and Scarlet Forest's Uth Duna, who wields water, Nu Udra completes the trio with its fire affinity.
Fujioka revealed that Nu Udra's design was inspired by his desire to introduce a tentacled creature. "I've always wanted to add a tentacled creature at some point," he said. The team transformed a typically aquatic creature into a striking, demonic-looking monster with horn-like elements on its head. The battle music, infused with themes of black magic, enhances its eerie presence. "We had the composers incorporate phrases and instruments reminiscent of black magic. I believe it resulted in a unique and compelling piece of music," Tokuda added.
Facing Nu Udra is a formidable challenge, as it wields multiple tentacles and can unleash both focused and area-of-effect attacks rapidly. Its immunity to Flash Bombs, due to its reliance on tentacles rather than vision, makes it an even more daunting foe.
More Monsters In The Basin
Beyond Nu Udra, the Oilwell Basin is home to other formidable creatures. The Ajarakan, a huge, scaly, monkey-like monster covered in flames, brings martial arts-inspired movements and powerful fist attacks to the fray. This blend of physical strength and fire power makes Ajarakan a thrilling new addition to the Monster Hunter series.
The Rompopolo, a globular monster with needle-like teeth, uses toxic gases in combat. Its eerie purple hue and glowing red eyes evoke the image of a mad scientist. The developers drew inspiration from this archetype, calling Rompopolo a "tricky monster." Despite its menacing appearance, its drops result in surprisingly "cute" equipment for both the Hunter and their Palico companion.
Even a familiar face returns to the Oilwell Basin: Gravios, last seen in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. Its rocky carapace and fiery breath make it a fitting inhabitant of this volcanic region. "When considering monsters that match the Oilwell Basin's environment and fit the game's progression, we thought Gravios could offer a fresh challenge, so we decided to bring it back," Tokuda stated.
With these exciting reveals, anticipation for Monster Hunter Wilds' release on February 28th is at an all-time high.
