Monster Hunter Wilds: A Deep Dive into the Starting Equipment
Many Monster Hunter players cite crafting new equipment from hunt materials 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 has always been central to the Monster Hunter experience: defeat monsters and harness their power through crafted gear. Players build their strength by slaying powerful beasts and then incorporating those beasts' abilities into their own arsenals.
In an interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, Executive Director and Art Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, explained the design philosophy behind the game's equipment. While the design range has expanded, the team previously focused on a core concept: "If you're wearing Rathalos equipment, you'll look like Rathalos." Wilds introduces new monsters, each with unique, visually striking equipment. Rompopolo, a mad scientist-themed monster, for instance, has head armor resembling a plague doctor's mask (seen in the hunt video below).
However, the developers emphasize the importance 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 impressive."
Yuya Tokuda, Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, added, "Weapon designs in Monster Hunter: World generally maintained a form, but their appearance varied based on materials. In Wilds, each weapon boasts a unique design." The starting weapons reflect the player's status as a veteran hunter investigating the Forbidden Lands. The starting armor, the "Hope" series, also received meticulous attention to detail.
Tokuda explained, "The Hope series looks so cool, it could be used until the end of the game." The deep emerald green Hope set forms a hooded long coat when fully equipped. Fujioka detailed the design process: "We paid more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment. Previous games had separate upper and lower body armor; we couldn't depict a coat. But I wanted a flowing hooded coat. We achieved this by investing significant resources. We want players to try new weapons, so the Hope series is stylish but not overly flashy."
Starting the game with such meticulously crafted equipment is a unique luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are designed to reflect the seasoned hunter the player embodies. We eagerly anticipate examining their details in the final game.
