Behind Monster Hunter Wilds' New Approach to Starting Weapons and Hope Series Gear – IGN First

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, earned through repeated hunts, is a core element of the series' appeal. This equipment crafting system, central to the franchise since its inception, follows a consistent design philosophy: defeat monsters and harness their power through equipment forged from their remains. Players conquer powerful beasts, then integrate those beasts' strengths into their own arsenals to become even stronger.

In an interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, Executive Director and Art Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, elaborated on this design principle: "While the range of our designs has broadened, we used to be very conscious of the idea that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you'll look like Rathalos." Wilds introduces new monsters, each contributing uniquely styled equipment. For instance, Rompopolo, a mad scientist-inspired monster, boasts head armor resembling a plague doctor's mask, showcased in the hunt video below.

However, the developers emphasize the significance of the starting equipment. Fujioka stated, "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. That's a first for me. Previously, starting weapons were primitive. But as the protagonist is a chosen hunter, plain weapons wouldn't fit. I wanted even the starting equipment to feel special."

Yuya Tokuda, Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, added, "Weapon designs in Monster Hunter: World generally retained a certain form, customized by monster materials. In Wilds, each weapon has a unique design." This reflects the narrative: the player is an experienced hunter tasked with investigating the Forbidden Lands. The starting armor, the "Hope" series, also received meticulous attention to detail.

Tokuda explained, "The Hope series looks so cool; you could use it until the end and it wouldn't feel out of place."

The Hope set, with its deep emerald green, transforms into a hooded long coat when complete. Fujioka described 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 depict them as a coat. We invested significant resources to create a single flowing hooded coat. Players will find many equipment options, but we wanted the Hope series to be stylish without overshadowing later finds."

Starting with such meticulously crafted equipment is a unique luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are designed to project the image of a truly exceptional hunter. We eagerly anticipate experiencing their detail in the final game.