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

If you ask players what gets them excited about the *Monster Hunter* series, many will enthusiastically mention crafting new equipment from materials gathered during their hunts. Every hunter knows the thrill of piecing together a complete armor set and matching weapon after tirelessly pursuing the same monster. This core concept of defeating monsters and harnessing their power through crafted gear has been a staple of the series since its inception. Players use their skills to take down formidable beasts, then transform those creatures' abilities into their own, enhancing their strength further.

In an interview with IGN, Kaname Fujioka, the Executive Director and Art Director of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, elaborated on the philosophy behind the series' equipment. "While our design scope has expanded significantly, we used to focus heavily on the idea that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you'd resemble Rathalos," Fujioka stated. The latest installment introduces new monsters, each with its own unique and colorful gear. For instance, Rompopolo, designed to evoke a mad scientist, features a head armor piece resembling a plague doctor's mask. You can get a closer look at this armor set in the hunt video below.

Among the array of distinctive monster-themed equipment, the developers encourage players to pay special attention to the starting gear. "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch," Fujioka revealed. "This is a first for me. Traditionally, new hunters start with basic, primitive weapons, but since the protagonist in this game is a chosen hunter, it didn't feel right for them to wield something so plain. I wanted to give players the feeling of being a star, even with the starting equipment."

Yuya Tokuda, Director of *Monster Hunter Wilds*, added, "In *Monster Hunter: World*, weapons maintained a consistent form but were customized by the monster materials used. In *Wilds*, however, each weapon boasts a unique design." These starting weapons are crafted to reflect the narrative of an experienced hunter, chosen to explore the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda also noted that the starting armor is meticulously designed to align with the game's story.

"The starting armor for this game is part of the Hope series," Tokuda explained. "Its design is so cool that you could wear it until the end of the game without it feeling out of place."

The Hope set, with its deep emerald green base, transforms into a stylish outfit complete with a hooded long coat. Fujioka shared that creating the Hope series was a challenging endeavor, requiring each piece to function independently yet cohesively as a complete ensemble. "We've invested more into the Hope series than any other equipment in this game," he said. "In previous games, upper and lower body armor were separate, and we couldn't create something like a flowing coat. But for *Wilds*, we managed to do just that by dedicating significant in-game resources. We want players to explore various equipment options and try different weapons throughout the game. The Hope series is designed to blend in elegantly, yet stand out with its cool aesthetic."

Starting a game with such thoughtfully designed equipment is a true luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are crafted to embody the essence of a star hunter. We eagerly anticipate examining the intricate details of these items in the final game.