Behind Monster Hunter Wilds' New Approach to Starting Weapons and Hope Series Gear – IGN First

For many fans of the *Monster Hunter* series, one of the most thrilling aspects is the creation of new equipment using materials gathered from their hunts. Every hunter knows the satisfaction of piecing together a complete armor set and matching weapon after repeatedly taking down the same monster.

The core concept of equipment in the Monster Hunter series has remained consistent since its inception: defeat the monsters and harness their power by crafting gear from their remains. Players use their skills to overcome formidable beasts, then adopt those monsters' abilities through their equipment, enhancing their own strength in the process.

In a recent IGN interview, Kaname Fujioka, the Executive Director and Art Director for *Monster Hunter Wilds*, elaborated on the philosophy behind the series' equipment design. "While we now explore a wider variety of designs, we used to be very mindful of the idea that wearing Rathalos' equipment should make you look like Rathalos," he explained. The latest installment introduces new monsters, each with its own unique and colorful equipment set. For instance, the Rompopolo, designed to resemble a mad scientist, comes with a distinctive head armor piece that looks like a plague doctor's mask. You can see this armor set in action in the hunt video below.

Among the array of monster-themed equipment, the developers encourage players to take a closer look at the starting gear your hunter wears at the beginning of the game.

Fujioka shared his approach to the starting weapons, saying, "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. That's a first for me. Typically, new hunters start with basic, primitive weapons, but since our protagonist is a chosen hunter in this game, it didn't feel right to equip them with something too ordinary. I wanted to convey a sense of prestige, even with starting gear."

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 *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 emphasized that the starting armor also receives meticulous attention to detail, ensuring it aligns with the game's storyline.

"The starting armor for this game is called the Hope series," Tokuda said. "Its design is so striking that it could feasibly be used throughout the entire game without feeling out of place."

The Hope set, with its deep emerald green base color, transforms into a complete outfit featuring a hooded long coat. Fujioka explained the complexity of designing this set, stating, "We've devoted more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment in this game. Unlike previous titles where upper and lower body armor were separate, we aimed to create a single flowing hooded coat. We invested significant in-game resources to achieve this. While players will encounter various equipment pieces throughout the game, we encourage them to experiment with new weapons. The Hope series is designed to be elegantly cool without overshadowing other sets."

Starting a game with such thoughtfully crafted equipment is a true luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are meticulously designed to resemble the gear of a distinguished star hunter. We eagerly anticipate examining their intricate details in the final game.