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

If you ask players what gets them excited about the Monster Hunter series, many will undoubtedly mention the thrill of crafting new equipment from materials gathered during their hunts. The joy of completing a full armor set and matching weapon after repeatedly hunting the same monster is a cherished experience for every hunter.

The concept of equipment in the Monster Hunter series has remained consistent since its inception: defeat the monsters, and harness their power through equipment crafted from their remains. Players use their own strength to slay formidable beasts, then claim those monsters' abilities as their own to become even stronger.

In an insightful interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, the Executive Director and Art Director of Monster Hunter Wilds, elaborates on the philosophy behind the series' equipment. "While our design range has expanded, we were initially very focused on the idea that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you should resemble Rathalos." This new installment introduces fresh monsters, each contributing its own distinctive equipment. For instance, the Rompopolo, designed with a mad scientist theme, features a unique head armor piece resembling a plague doctor's mask. You can view the armor set in the hunt video below.

Fujioka shares, "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. This is a first for me. Traditionally, new hunters started with basic, primitive weapons. However, since the protagonist in this game is a chosen hunter, it felt inappropriate for them to carry such plain gear. I wanted to make the starting equipment feel special, like you're a star right from the start."

Hope armor and weapon concept art. Courtesy Capcom.Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda adds, "In Monster Hunter: World, weapon designs maintained a consistent form but varied based on the monster materials used. In Wilds, however, 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 further explains that the starting armor is meticulously designed to align with the game's storyline.

"The starting armor for this game is part of the Hope series," he says. "It's designed to be so stylish that you could wear it throughout the entire game without it feeling out of place."

Hope armor concept art. Courtesy Capcom.With its striking deep emerald green base color, the Hope set transforms into a hooded long coat when completed. Fujioka notes that creating this set was challenging, as each piece needed to function individually yet come together to form a cohesive ensemble.

"We've devoted more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment in this game," he states. "In previous titles, upper and lower body armor were separate, and we couldn't combine them into something like a coat due to gameplay mechanics. However, I was determined to create a single, flowing hooded coat. We achieved this by allocating significant in-game resources. Of course, as players progress, they'll encounter various equipment options, and we encourage them to experiment with different weapons. The Hope series is designed to be subtly elegant, blending in while still exuding a cool sophistication."