Monster Hunter Wilds: A Legacy Forged in Collaboration
Monster Hunter Wilds boasts numerous improvements and new features, but its development was subtly shaped by earlier crossover events in Monster Hunter World. Specifically, collaborations with Final Fantasy XIV and The Witcher 3 directly influenced key gameplay elements.
Naoki Yoshida, director of Final Fantasy XIV, suggested a change to the HUD during the FFXIV crossover event. This led to the implementation of on-screen attack names in Wilds, a feature initially glimpsed in the Behemoth fight within the World crossover. The inclusion of the "Jump" emote, with its accompanying on-screen text, further foreshadowed this change.
The overwhelmingly positive player response to the Witcher 3 crossover in Monster Hunter World, which featured a speaking protagonist and dialogue choices, inspired the inclusion of a similar system in Wilds. Director Yuya Tokuda saw this collaboration as a successful test, demonstrating the potential for more narrative depth and player interaction.
Tokuda, while not actively developing Wilds at the time of the crossovers, envisioned these features for future installments. His proactive approach, including personally reaching out to CD Projekt Red for the Witcher 3 collaboration, significantly shaped the direction of Monster Hunter Wilds. The result is a game enriched by the lessons learned from these successful partnerships.
For a comprehensive look at Monster Hunter Wilds, including gameplay and interviews, check out IGN First's exclusive coverage:
- Behind Monster Hunter Wilds' New Approach to Starting Weapons and Hope Series Gear
- Monster Hunter Wilds Interview and Gameplay: Meet Nu Udra, Apex of the Oilwell Basin
- Evolving Monster Hunter: How Capcom’s Belief in the Series Made it a Worldwide Hit
- Monster Hunter Wilds: Gravios Returns in This Exclusive Gameplay
