Monster Hunter Wilds Unveils New Starting Weapons and Hope Series Gear - IGN First

If you ask avid players what excites them most about the *Monster Hunter* series, many will mention the thrill of crafting new equipment from materials obtained during their hunts. Every hunter has experienced the satisfaction of assembling a complete armor set and a matching weapon, achieved through repeated hunts of the same monster.

The concept of equipment in the Monster Hunter series has been consistent since its inception: Defeat the monsters, then harness their power by crafting equipment from their remains. Players rely on their skills to conquer formidable monsters, and by crafting gear from these creatures, they enhance their own abilities to become even stronger.

In an interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, the Executive Director and Art Director for *Monster Hunter Wilds*, elaborated on the philosophy behind the game's equipment. "While our design scope has expanded, we used to focus heavily on the idea that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you should resemble Rathalos," he said. *Monster Hunter Wilds* introduces new monsters, each contributing to a diverse array of equipment. For instance, the monster Rompopolo, inspired by a mad scientist, features head armor resembling a plague doctor's mask. You can see this unique armor set in the hunt video below.

Amidst these distinctive sets, the developers urge players to take note of the starting equipment your hunter wears at the beginning of the game.

Fujioka shared, "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. This is the first time I've done this, as far as I can recall. In previous games, new hunters started with basic, primitive weapons. However, in *Monster Hunter Wilds*, as the protagonist is a chosen hunter, it felt inappropriate for them to wield plain weapons. I aimed to convey a sense of being a star, even with starting gear."

Hope armor and weapon concept art. Courtesy Capcom.

Yuya Tokuda, Director of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, added, "In *Monster Hunter: World*, weapons maintained a general form but were customized based on monster materials. In *Wilds*, however, each weapon boasts a unique design."

These starting weapons are crafted to reflect the narrative that you are an experienced hunter chosen to explore the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda further noted that the starting armor also receives meticulous attention to align with the game's storyline.

"The starting armor for this game is called the Hope series," he explained. "Its design is so striking that you could wear it throughout the entire game without it feeling out of place."

Hope armor concept art. Courtesy Capcom.

Featuring a deep emerald green base color, the Hope set transforms into a hooded long coat when completed. Fujioka detailed the challenges of crafting this set, ensuring each part functions independently yet forms a cohesive ensemble.

"We've devoted more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment in this game," he stated. "Previous games had separate upper and lower body armor, which couldn't be combined into a single piece like a coat due to gameplay mechanics. In *Monster Hunter Wilds*, we invested significant resources to create a flowing hooded coat. As players progress, they'll discover various equipment pieces, and we encourage them to experiment with different weapons. The Hope series was designed to be elegantly cool without being overly conspicuous."

Starting the game with meticulously 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 exploring these detailed creations in the final game.