Monster Hunter Wilds Redefines the Series with Open World Gameplay

Following the breakthrough success of Monster Hunter World, Capcom has geared up to shake up the series with Monster Hunter Wilds.
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Capcom Hopes to Capitalize on Extended Global Reach with Monster Hunter WildsRedefining the Monster Hunter's Hunting Grounds

Monster Hunter Wilds is Capcom's ambitious new entry in the Monster Hunter series that transforms the franchise's epic battles into a dynamic, interconnected world teeming with a living ecosystem that evolves in real time.

In an interview with Game Developer at the recent Summer Game Fest, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto, executive director Kaname Fujioka, and game director Yuya Tokuda discussed how Monster Hunter Wilds is set to transform the series. They emphasized a new focus on seamless gameplay and an immersive environment that responds to player actions.

Just as in previous Monster Hunter games, players take on the role of hunters in an unexplored locale filled with new wildlife and resources in Monster Hunter Wilds. However, the game's demo at Summer Game Fest showcased a departure from the series' traditional mission-based structure. Instead of segmented zones, Wilds showed a seamless, open world where players can freely explore, hunt, and interact with the environment.

"The seamlessness of the game is really one of our core efforts in designing Monster Hunter Wilds," said Fujioka. "We wanted to create detailed and immersive ecosystems that necessitate a seamless world filled with hostile monsters you can freely hunt."

In-Game World is Immensely Dynamic

The demo showcased desert settlements, an expansive biome and formidable monsters, including NPC hunters. The game's novel approach empowers players to select targets or initiate actions unconstrained by a timer, offering a fluid and immersive hunting experience. Fujioka emphasized the significance of environmental interactions. "We prioritized interactions such as groups of monsters pursuing targets and their confrontations with human hunters. These characters exhibit 24-hour behavioral patterns, enhancing the world's dynamism and authenticity."

The success of Monster Hunter World offered Capcom valuable lessons and influenced the development of Wilds. Series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto said that taking into account their wider global approach was significant throughout the development process. "We approached Monster Hunter World with a global mindset, focusing on simultaneous worldwide release and extensive localization. This global perspective helped us consider players who haven't played Monster Hunter in a long time and how to bring them back."