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

If you ask players what gets them excited about the *Monster Hunter* series, many will enthusiastically mention the thrill of crafting new equipment from materials gathered during their hunts. There's a unique satisfaction in completing a head-to-toe armor set paired with a matching weapon, achieved after repeatedly taking down the same monster.

The concept of equipment in the *Monster Hunter* series has remained consistent since its inception: defeat the monsters and harness their power by crafting equipment from their remains. Players use their skills to slay formidable beasts, then adopt those monsters' abilities through crafted gear, growing ever stronger.

In an interview with IGN, Monster Hunter Wilds Executive Director and Art Director Kaname Fujioka elaborated on the philosophy behind the series' equipment. "While our design range has expanded, we used to focus on the idea that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you should look like Rathalos." The new title introduces fresh monsters, each contributing to a vibrant array of equipment. For instance, Rompopolo, designed to resemble a mad scientist, features a unique head armor piece reminiscent of a plague doctor's mask. You can view the armor set in the hunt video below.

Amidst the array of distinctive monster equipment, the developers emphasize the significance of the starting gear that your hunter wears at the outset 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, to the best of my recollection. In previous games, new hunters began with basic and rudimentary weapons. However, in this game, the protagonist is a chosen hunter, so it wouldn't feel right for them to carry a plain weapon. I wanted to make it feel like you're a bit of a star, even with starting equipment."

Hope armor and weapon concept art. Courtesy Capcom.

Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda added, "Weapon designs in Monster Hunter: World maintained a certain form but were customized based on 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 noted that the starting armor also reflects meticulous attention to detail, aligning with the game's story.

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

Hope armor concept art. Courtesy Capcom.

With its deep emerald green base color, the Hope set transforms into a stylish outfit featuring a hooded long coat when completed. Fujioka explained that creating this set was a complex task, with each piece designed to function independently while contributing to the overall ensemble.

"We've given more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment in this game," he said. "Previous games featured separate upper-body and lower-body armor, which couldn't be combined to form a coat. Due to gameplay and design constraints, each piece had to be its own part. But I wanted to create a single flowing hooded coat, and we made it happen in this game by dedicating significant in-game resources. Of course, players will discover various pieces of equipment throughout their journey, and we encourage them to experiment with different weapons. That's why we aimed to make the Hope series understated yet elegantly cool."

Starting a game with such thoughtfully designed equipment is a luxury. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are crafted to appear as gear befitting a star hunter. We're eager to explore their intricate details in the final game.