Monster Hunter Wilds Unveils New Weapon Start and Hope Series Gear - IGN First

For fans of the *Monster Hunter* series, crafting new equipment from the materials gathered during hunts is a thrilling aspect of the game. Every hunter relishes the satisfaction of assembling a complete armor set and matching weapon, often requiring repeated battles against the same formidable creature.

The core concept of the Monster Hunter series has always been centered around defeating monsters and harnessing their power through equipment crafted from their remains. Players leverage their own skills to conquer these beasts, subsequently adopting their unique abilities to enhance their own strength.

In an insightful interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, the Executive Director and Art Director of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, elaborated on the philosophy behind the series' equipment design. "While we've expanded our design range significantly, we used to focus heavily on the idea that wearing Rathalos' equipment would make you resemble Rathalos," Fujioka noted. The new installment, *Monster Hunter Wilds*, introduces fresh monsters, each contributing to the game's vibrant equipment variety. For instance, the monster Rompopolo, designed to resemble a mad scientist, features a unique head armor piece that evokes the look of a plague doctor's mask. You can explore this armor set in the hunt video below.

Among the diverse array of monster-themed equipment, the developers urge players to take a closer look at the starting gear that hunters don when beginning the game. Fujioka shared, "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from the ground up. This is a first for me. Typically, new hunters start with basic, primitive weapons. But since the protagonist in this game is a chosen hunter, it didn't feel right for them to wield such plain gear. I aimed to make it feel like you're a star right from the start."

Yuya Tokuda, Director of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, added, "In *Monster Hunter: World*, weapon designs maintained a consistent form, but their appearance varied based on the monster materials used. However, in *Wilds*, each weapon boasts a unique design."

These starting weapons are crafted to reflect the narrative of an experienced hunter chosen to explore the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda emphasized that the starting armor also received meticulous attention to ensure it aligns with the game's story.

"The starting armor for this game is dubbed the Hope series," Tokuda remarked. "Its design is so striking that it could easily be used until the endgame without looking out of place."

With its deep emerald green base, the Hope set transforms into a sophisticated outfit featuring a hooded long coat upon completion. Fujioka explained the complexity of constructing this set, ensuring each piece could stand alone yet harmoniously form a complete ensemble.

"We've devoted more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment in this game," Fujioka stated. "In previous games, upper and lower body armor were separate, and we couldn't depict them as a cohesive piece like a coat. Due to gameplay mechanics, each piece had to function independently. But I wanted to create a single, flowing hooded coat, and we achieved that in *Wilds* by dedicating significant in-game resources to it. As players progress, they'll encounter a variety of equipment, and we encourage them to experiment with different weapons. That's why we crafted the Hope series to be elegantly cool without being overly conspicuous."

It's a privilege to start a game with such thoughtfully designed equipment. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are crafted to resemble the gear of a distinguished star hunter. We eagerly anticipate exploring their intricate details in the final release of the game.