Monster Hunter Wilds: A Deep Dive into the Starting Equipment
Many Monster Hunter players cite crafting new equipment from hard-earned hunt materials as a major source of enjoyment. The satisfaction of a complete armor set and matching weapon, painstakingly acquired, is a core element of the series' appeal.
The series' equipment design philosophy has remained consistent: defeat monsters and harness their power through crafted gear. Players use their skills to overcome powerful beasts, then incorporate those beasts' abilities into their own arsenals to become even stronger.
In an interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, Executive Director and Art Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, explained the design concept: "While our designs are more diverse now, we used to focus on the idea that wearing Rathalos gear makes you look like a Rathalos." This new game introduces new monsters, each with unique and visually striking equipment. Rompopolo, a mad scientist-inspired monster, for instance, has head armor resembling a plague doctor's mask (see the hunt video below).
However, the developers emphasize the significance of the starting equipment. Fujioka stated, "I designed all 14 starting weapon types from scratch. This is a first for me. Previously, new hunters started with basic weapons. But, as our protagonist is a chosen hunter, plain weapons wouldn't fit. I wanted even the starting equipment to feel impressive."
Yuya Tokuda, Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, adds, "Weapon designs in Monster Hunter: World generally maintained a form, but their appearance varied based on materials. In Wilds, each weapon has a unique design."
The starting weapons reflect the story's premise: the player is an experienced hunter selected to explore the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda notes that the starting armor, the "Hope" series, also reflects this narrative.
"The Hope armor is incredibly stylish; you could use it until the end and it wouldn't look out of place," Tokuda says.
The Hope set, with its deep emerald green, forms a hooded long coat when complete. Fujioka explained the design process: "We devoted more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment. Previous games had separate upper and lower body armor, preventing a coat design. We overcame this limitation by investing significant resources. While players will discover many equipment options, we wanted the Hope set to be stylish yet understated."
Starting the game with such meticulously crafted equipment is a unique luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope armor set are designed to project the image of a truly exceptional hunter. We eagerly anticipate exploring their details in the final game.
