When diving into the *Monster Hunter* series, one of the most exhilarating aspects for players is crafting new equipment from the materials they gather during their hunts. There's a unique thrill in piecing together a complete armor set and matching weapon, especially after repeatedly taking down the same formidable monster.
The concept of equipment in the *Monster Hunter* series has remained consistent since its inception: defeat monsters and harness their power by crafting gear from their remains. This gameplay mechanic empowers players to enhance their strength by adopting the abilities of the monsters they conquer.
In an insightful interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, the Executive Director and Art Director of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, elaborated on the philosophy behind the game's equipment. "While our design range has expanded, we used to focus heavily on ensuring that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you'll embody the essence of Rathalos," he noted. *Monster Hunter Wilds* introduces new monsters, each contributing to a diverse array of equipment. For instance, Rompopolo, designed to resemble a mad scientist, offers a head armor piece reminiscent of a plague doctor's mask, as showcased in the hunt video below.
Among the plethora of unique monster-themed equipment sets, the developers emphasize the significance of the starting gear that hunters wear at the beginning of the game.
Fujioka shared, "I personally designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. This is a first for me. Traditionally, new hunters start with basic, primitive weapons. However, since the protagonist in *Monster Hunter Wilds* is a chosen hunter, it felt inappropriate for them to wield such simple tools. I wanted the starting equipment to reflect the protagonist's status as a star hunter."
Yuya Tokuda, Director of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, added, "In *Monster Hunter: World*, weapon designs maintained a consistent form but varied in appearance based on the monster materials used. In contrast, *Wilds* features unique designs for each weapon."
These starting weapons are crafted to reflect the narrative where you play as an experienced hunter tasked with exploring the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda further mentioned that the starting armor, known as the Hope series, is meticulously designed to align with the game's storyline.
The Hope armor, with its deep emerald green base, transforms into a striking hooded long coat when fully assembled. Fujioka explained the complexity of creating this set, stating, "We've poured more effort into the Hope series than any other equipment in *Monster Hunter Wilds*. Historically, armor was divided into upper and lower body parts, which made creating a cohesive coat challenging. However, we managed to achieve this by dedicating significant in-game resources to it. As players progress, they'll discover a variety of equipment, and we encourage them to experiment with different weapons. The Hope series is designed to be elegantly cool yet not overly conspicuous."
Starting a game with such thoughtfully crafted equipment is a luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are tailored to resemble the gear of a distinguished star hunter. We eagerly anticipate examining their intricate details in the final game.
