Monster Hunter Wilds fixes my biggest issue with World: the monsters themselves

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Monster Hunter games have consistently shone as top-notch action titles, but what truly excites players about each new installment is the anticipation of the unique creatures Capcom will create or reintroduce. Fortunately, Monster Hunter Rise maintains the series’ high-quality standards with stunningly innovative creature designs and a lineup that welcomes back some of the franchise’s most impressive monsters, rather than simply recycling familiar faces – offering special tribute to Monster Hunter 4, which unfortunately was exclusive to the 3DS.

In Monster Hunter World, marking the franchise’s debut on high-definition consoles, the series reached unprecedented heights. However, its array of beasts leaned towards familiarity more than ever before. Traditionally, Monster Hunter has been populated by a range of typical creatures such as lizards, birds, and dragons, with these forming the majority of targets. Interestingly, in the Low Rank questline of Monster Hunter World, you’ll primarily encounter just those types. However, Wilds offers a refreshing change – this diversity is what makes it an ideal introduction for new players and a welcome return for veterans alike.

Warning: spoilers for the monsters that appear in Monster Hunter Wilds‘ first two chapters

Outranked, outflanked

Initially, let’s revisit the initial skirmishes in Monster Hunter World. The action starts against the colossal reptile, Great Jagras. Subsequently, you engage in fights with the avian creatures Kulu Ya Ku and Pukei Pukei. However, the only Leviathan you encounter is Jyuratodus, who unfortunately doesn’t live up to expectations. After that, most of your battles revolve around more reptiles, dinosaurs, and dragons, with occasional interruptions, like the flying Paolumu.

To clarify, I’m not implying the monsters in World are inferior, quite the contrary. Anjanath’s design is outstanding, even though it resembles a T-Rex, and Odogaron is one of the coolest designs in the series. Bazelguese, who would suddenly join the hunt to rain destruction, is an iconic monster I’d love to see more often. However, it’s undeniable that Monster Hunter World’s Low Rank didn’t offer much exploration-wise at the start.

Compared to Monster Hunter World, Monster Hunter Wilds feels like a refreshing change. To start off, you’re tasked with rescuing a villager from the Chatacabra, a creature that seems to be a fusion of a frog and a gorilla, which is unusual as amphibians were not present in Monster Hunter World. This immediately sets Wilds apart by doing things differently. Following this, you encounter a large bird, a common early-game element in the Monster Hunter series, then the Lala Barina, which belongs to the Temnoceran family, or as they’re colloquially known, a giant spider.

In Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise, this particular creature was nowhere to be found, with the spider-like Ragna-Kadaki being added in High Rank. However, the most exciting aspect? Things start getting even more wild as we progress further.

Going beast mode

There’s really been nothing like it before in the series.

As you progress in Capcom’s latest game, you’ll encounter an unusual adversary: a vivid pink gorilla with a hippo-like face. This formidable foe primarily uses three strategies against you – releasing foul odors, defecating into its tail to hurl projectiles, and using its ample belly to deflect attacks. Yes, you read that correctly.

Firstly, there’s a colossal drifting eel (the initial winged Leviathan in the series) accompanied by a poisonous bird that swells itself like a balloon. When you eventually pull out your weapon to confront a dragon, it’s presented as if it’s the grand finale of a fully packed WWE event. Rey Dau makes an appearance amidst a storm-thunderstorm mix, and this lightning-attracting dragon controls the elements masterfully, making for a battle that I wouldn’t hesitate to call ‘epic’. Dragons are said to be legendary creatures, and when they do appear in Monster Hunter Wilds, you truly sense their mythical nature.

In the midst of numerous returning characters eager to grab the limelight, it’s truly astonishing that Capcom presents what I consider to be the best monster category since the introduction of Leviathans and Fanged Wyverns in Generation 3. During your adventure, you’ll come across a group of imposing Ajarkan being overwhelmed by a gelatinous creature called ‘The Black Flame.’ This encounter unveils a completely new class of monsters: Cephalopods, with Nu Udra as its representative.

Engaging with a monster that slithers swiftly across the arena, armed with numerous large limbs, represents the peak experience at Wilds’ Low Rank. This encounter is truly unprecedented in the series. The octopus-inspired design adds an element of both awe and unease to the battle. Even managing to sever one of its tentacles only for it to wriggle on the floor as the creature vanishes into a wall fissure surpassed all my expectations for Wilds, and is also one of the most striking animations the series has ever produced.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, much like other games in the series, it truly kicks things up a notch during the High Rank quests. Yet, what sets this game apart is the thrilling and diverse Low Rank quests, which might just be the most exciting and varied opening acts in the entire series. This variety gives the game an exhilarating sense of adventure, as every colossal creature you’re whacking on the head and transforming into gear feels like a fresh, intriguing discovery with each new encounter – one of many reasons why Monster Hunter Wilds stands out as an exceptional addition to the series.

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2025-02-28 15:49