Monster Hunter Wilds: Inspired by FFXIV and Witcher 3 Collabs - IGN First

Monster Hunter Wilds brings a fresh wave of innovation to the beloved series, introducing numerous changes, new features, and quality-of-life enhancements. Interestingly, the seeds for these developments were planted during the crossover events of Monster Hunter World. Key influences came from the Final Fantasy 14 and The Witcher 3 collaborations, with direct input from Final Fantasy 14's director, Naoki Yoshida, and the enthusiastic response to The Witcher 3 crossover shaping the gameplay of Monster Hunter Wilds.

During the collaboration on the Monster Hunter: World and FFXIV crossover, Naoki Yoshida, known as Yoshi-P, suggested to Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda that players enjoy seeing the names of their attacks displayed on screen as they execute them. This led to the implementation of a new HUD feature in Monster Hunter Wilds, showcasing attack names during gameplay. This feature was first experimented with during the 2018 FFXIV crossover event in Monster Hunter: World, which included elements like catchable Cactuars and the challenging Behemoth fight. The event also introduced the Jump emote, inspired by Final Fantasy's Dragoon, with the text "[Hunter] performs Jump" appearing on screen.

The positive reception to The Witcher 3 crossover in Monster Hunter: World played a significant role in the development of Monster Hunter Wilds. Yuya Tokuda was inspired by the crossover's dialogue options and voiced protagonist, Geralt of Rivia, leading to the inclusion of similar features in Monster Hunter Wilds. Players can now engage in conversations with NPCs, choosing dialogue options and experiencing a more interactive storytelling approach, mirroring the style of The Witcher 3.

How Final Fantasy XIV's Director Influenced Monster Hunter Wilds

The collaboration between Monster Hunter: World and FFXIV at a reveal event was pivotal. Yoshi-P's suggestion to display attack names as players perform them resulted in the new HUD feature for Monster Hunter Wilds. The 2018 FFXIV crossover event in Monster Hunter: World provided a glimpse of this, featuring unique elements like the Behemoth fight and the Jump emote, which displayed attack names on screen.

The Behemoth fight in Monster Hunter: World showcased the display of boss moves on screen, a common feature in MMORPGs. Upon completing the Behemoth repel quest, players unlocked the Jump emote, inspired by Final Fantasy's Dragoon, with the text "[Hunter] performs Jump" appearing on screen, marking an early experiment with attack name display.

How The Witcher 3 Influenced Monster Hunter Wilds

Yuya Tokuda was impressed by comparisons between Monster Hunter Wilds and The Witcher 3, particularly regarding dialogue options and gameplay elements. The successful Monster Hunter: World and The Witcher 3 collaboration served as a testbed for these features. In the crossover, players controlled Geralt of Rivia, who spoke and engaged in dialogue, contrasting with the silent protagonist of previous Monster Hunter games.

This influence is evident in Monster Hunter Wilds, where players can now choose dialogue options and interact with NPCs through voiced conversations, much like in The Witcher 3. Although Monster Hunter Wilds was not actively in development during the collaborations, Tokuda's foresight and collaboration with the CD Projekt Red team for The Witcher 3 crossover laid the groundwork for these new features.

These insights were revealed during an exclusive visit to Capcom's Japan offices as part of IGN First. For more detailed information, don't miss the full hands-on preview, in-depth interviews, and exclusive gameplay of Monster Hunter Wilds:

• Behind Monster Hunter Wilds' New Approach to Starting Weapons and Hope Series Gear
• Monster Hunter Wilds Interview and Gameplay: Meet Nu Udra, Apex of the Oilwell Basin
• Evolving Monster Hunter: How Capcom’s Belief in the Series Made it a Worldwide Hit
• Monster Hunter Wilds: Gravios Returns in This Exclusive Gameplay