During gamescom Asia 2024, we sat down with Monster Hunter series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto to discuss the highly anticipated release of Monster Hunter Wilds. The game promises to deliver an expansive new world with unique challenges, a deeper narrative, and gameplay innovations that fans of the series have been asking for.
One of the standout features in Monster Hunter Wilds is the inclusion of large herds of monsters. Tsujimoto explained that bringing multiple creatures together on screen at once was one of the biggest technical challenges for the development team. “We wanted to create environments where monsters could coexist naturally,” he shared. This concept, while ambitious, required extensive testing and quality assurance, making it a crucial element of the game’s design.
Monster Hunter Wilds takes the franchise in a new direction by combining the lives of monsters, humans, and the ecosystem. Tsujimoto expressed that this was one of his proudest things about the game, explaining, “We wanted to create a world where all these elements are connected. It’s not just about hunters versus monsters anymore. Players will feel more involved with the civilizations and people living in this world.” This deeper connection between characters and the environment adds richness to the story, inviting players to explore not just the monsters, but the lore and history of the game’s world.
With over two decades of Monster Hunter games, Tsujimoto acknowledged the challenge of maintaining the core identity of the series while introducing new gameplay mechanics. “Fans have their own image of what a Monster Hunter game should be, and so do the developers,” he noted. “We put a lot of importance on balancing these expectations while evolving the series.”
One of the game’s most exciting new features is the ability to switch weapons mid-hunt. This gives players more freedom to adapt their strategy depending on the monsters they encounter. “We wanted to expand the range of motion and choice for players while maintaining the sense of realism,” Tsujimoto explained. While players can’t carry all the weapon types, they can now switch between two during their hunts.
Monster Hunter Wilds features large, interconnected locales, which led the team to introduce mounts to help players navigate the vast world. Tsujimoto explained that while scout flies will return to aid in finding locations, the addition of Seikret mounts ensures smoother travel across the sprawling environments. “The expansive world can be overwhelming, so we wanted to make sure players didn’t feel lost,” he said.
For the first time in the series, the player-controlled hunter will have a voice during cutscenes. Tsujimoto explained that this decision was made to enhance immersion. “We wanted players to feel more connected to the story and the world. The hunter won’t be speaking all the time, but when they do, it adds to the sense of immersion without disrupting the tone of previous Monster Hunter games.”
In a similar vein, the beloved Palico companions will now have their own voices. Tsujimoto revealed that this change was made to streamline gameplay. “The Palico offers important advice during hunts. By giving them a voice, players can focus on the action without having to constantly read text,” he said.
When asked whether the environments or monsters come first in the design process, Tsujimoto shared that environments usually take priority. “We map out the story and the locations first, and then design monsters that fit within those environments,” he said. This method ensures that each monster is a natural part of its habitat and fits within the game’s overall narrative.
When it comes to fan-favorite monsters, Tsujimoto acknowledged the importance of balancing returning creatures with new ones. “We consider both fan feedback and how the monsters fit within the game’s core concept,” he said. Popular monsters will return, but only if they align with the design of the world and gameplay.
Given the franchise’s growing global popularity, especially after the success of Monster Hunter World, Tsujimoto and the team have made an effort to make Monster Hunter Wilds accessible to newcomers. A more customizable tutorial system allows players to choose how much guidance they want, and Alma, the handler, helps players choose a weapon suited to their playstyle. For those who are hesitant about multiplayer, the game introduces NPC hunters who can assist players during challenging hunts.
Fans won’t have to wait much longer to dive into the world of Monster Hunter Wilds, as the game is set to launch soon on February 28, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.