For newcomers,Monster Hunter Wildsis all about using massive weapons to take down even bigger monsters, but it is a series that has always been known for its small details. A good example is fromMonster Hunter Worldand how players can observe Palicos around both Astera and Seliana as they cut wood for fires, run around with dough for the kitchen, and so much more.Wildshas kept up this trend going by adding a whole host of new features and ecological elements to make the world feel more lived in than ever before.
Hunters have always been able to interact with their environment while on either Hunts or Expeditions. This can take the form of collecting resources from Bone Piles and Outcrops, capturing wildlife as pets for the Hunter’s room, collecting tracks to find the subject of their hunt, using naturally occurring traps, and many more. DespiteMonster Hunteralready having plenty of ways players can interact with their environment,Wildshas gone out of its way to add even more, and one feature could change some Hunters' approaches to their battles.
MH Wilds Lets Hunters Use Fire In New Ways
It Has Taken Some Inspiration From The Legend Of Zelda
Fire has always been a key element in theMonster Hunterfranchise, with both Hunter and Monster alike using it to their advantage. Plenty of players have been blasted by the flames ofMonster Hunter’s iconic Rathalos, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon, but what willchange in theWildsbeta is how that fire affects the environment, particularly the Windward Plains. The area has plenty of long grass, and if players get hit by fire, the grass will be set alight, similar to whatBreath of the Wildintroduced to theZeldaseries.
Unlike inBreath of the Wild,MH Wildsplayers won’t be able to get greater height from burning grass for mounting.
Monsters aren’t the only ones who can burn the place, however, as there are multiple ways in which Hunters can set grass on fire too.This could be with weapons that can overheat, like the Charge Blade and Switchaxe, since overheated weapons will burn grass on contact. Some attacks will set the grass ablaze too, such as with the Gunlance, and while this is an awesome detail, it also means that Hunters need to be careful in not destroying the environment, since the fire can be harmful to nearby animals and possibly other Hunters.
Monster Hunter Has Always Been About The Little Details
It Is What Helps The Franchise Remain As Something Truly Special
AlthoughMonster Hunterhas always been about the grindy yet addictive gameplay cycle of hunting a monster and using their rewards to make new gear to hunt more monsters,the small details are what help this franchise stay ahead of the pack. Yes, hunting is the main focus, but players can spend some time fishing to add to their aquarium or gather resources for gathering quests. There’s so much more to do, and even on hunts there’s so much going on, like Turf Wars and monsters taking time to feed.
Turf Wars were introduced inMonster Hunter Worldand have been used in bothRiseandWilds.
These details even extend to the Hunter and their Palico, since both can be seen fidgeting and having cute interactions in the tent in theMonster Hunter Wildsbeta, such as when the Palico pretends to cut their paw and the Hunter panics while trying to find a bandage.Setting grass on fire is just another example of the details that Capcom put into the game, and it shows a further focus on making the world feel lived in. The ecology side ofMonster Hunterhas always been important, and what sells this is often how real the world feels.
Capcom Has Made Monster Hunter’s World Feel Alive
For Most, It’s More Than Just Killing Giant Beasts
There is somewhat of a divide in theMonster Huntercommunity between those who only care about the gameplay loop and those who think that the ecology side of the game is just as important.Hierarchies of how monsters work are important to both the progression and living feeling of the game, and whileWildshas a plethora of new monstersand gameplay mechanics, like burning grass and the Focus Mode, they also help players understand the inner workings of the environments. It makes the game feel like a food web of dangerous monsters.
Now Is The Perfect Time To Start Playing Monster Hunter
Capcom is making Monster Hunter more accessible than ever as it prepares fans for the release of Monster Hunter Wilds with this sale.
From what has been shown thus far in the beta,Monster Hunter Wildslooks to be everything that players want, from new gameplay features, monsters, and environments to the little details that make the game so special. These little features could end up making a big difference to some, and using fire in the Windward Plains will have a new layer to it going forward. It adds an extra detail to overheated weapons in particular, and keeps Hunters on their toes while out on a hunt.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds is the highly anticipated follow-up to Capcom’s multi-million seller, Monster Hunter World. Announced at The Game Awards 2023, Monster Hunter Wilds will put players into a sprawling world where they’ll hunt monsters to create new weapons and armor while protecting their home base and uncovering the secrets of unexplored lands with friends or alone.
