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

When you ask fans of the *Monster Hunter* series what excites them, a common answer is crafting new equipment from the materials they've gathered during their hunts. There's a special thrill in completing a full armor set and matching weapon, achieved after repeatedly hunting the same monster.

The concept behind equipment in the *Monster Hunter* series has been consistent since the earliest games: defeat monsters and harness their power through equipment crafted from their remains. Players use their skills to take down formidable monsters, then adopt those monsters' abilities through their crafted gear, growing ever stronger.

In an interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, the Executive Director and Art Director of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, discussed the philosophy behind the game's equipment. "While our design range has expanded, we were once very focused on the idea that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you should look like Rathalos," he explained. The new title introduces unique monsters like Rompopolo, designed to resemble a mad scientist, complete with head armor reminiscent of a plague doctor's mask. You can view the armor set in the hunt video below.

Amidst the array of monster-themed gear, the developers are eager for players to focus on the starting equipment. "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch," Fujioka shared. "This is the first time I've done this. In previous games, new hunters started with basic, primitive weapons. But in this game, since the protagonist is a chosen hunter, it wouldn't be fitting for them to carry such simple gear. I wanted the starting equipment to make players feel like stars from the very beginning."

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

These starting weapons are crafted to reflect the narrative that you are an experienced hunter tasked with exploring the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda noted that the starting armor also reflects careful consideration to match the game's story.

"The starting armor for this game is called the Hope series," he stated. "It's designed to be so cool that you could wear it throughout the entire game without it feeling outdated."

The Hope set features a deep emerald green base color and transforms into an outfit with a hooded long coat when fully assembled. Fujioka elaborated on the complexity of designing the set, aiming for each piece to be distinct yet cohesive as a complete ensemble.

"We've put more effort into the Hope series than any other equipment in this game," he said. "Previous games separated upper and lower body armor, making it impossible to create something like a flowing coat. We overcame this challenge in *Wilds* by investing significant resources into it. While players will discover a variety of equipment as they progress, we encourage them to experiment with different weapons. The Hope series is designed to be elegantly cool without being overly flashy."

It's a rare treat to begin a game with equipment that has received such meticulous attention from the creators. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are crafted to resemble the gear of a distinguished star hunter. We look forward to exploring their intricate details in the final game.