With Monster Hunter Wilds, many new and familiar foes will arrive on February 28, 2025. In doing so, the developers want to create a special experience for the 20th anniversary of Monster Hunter and build upon previous successes. They are also focusing on the further development of the various behaviors of the monsters and giving them new group dynamics.
What behavior is new? That you fight against multiple large brutes at once in Monster Hunter games is nothing new. However, until now, each monster fought more for itself or against another large beast that got in its way.
In an interview with PC Gamer, Art Director Kaname Fujioka talks about how important high flexibility in the portrayal of the monsters was to them during development. Therefore, they wanted to try something new with the idea of letting the monsters intentionally form groups and act together. They also considered how groups could be controlled and what would happen if entire herds of monsters were to meet.
In the YouTube video of the interview, the relevant section can be seen from around minute 1:13. Previous materials like the beta or videos of the preview version have already hinted at what it might look like in the finished game when the monsters mimic you and turn against you in groups.
Here you can see an excerpt from our studio tour:
One for all and all for one
How could this mechanic have an impact? In a thread on Reddit, the community is currently discussing what possible forms of monster groups could be encountered in Monster Hunter Wilds. The following dynamics are observed:
- Doshagumas form groups of several large monsters that follow an Alpha
- Congala leads a group of smaller Congas as a large monster
- Yian Kut Kus form groups of large monsters, but without an Alpha
Additionally, some players have observed that monsters of the same species, which are not necessarily traveling in groups, will fight together when threatened, even if they are in the same area. For example, Balaharas or Chatacabras are generally more solitary but will band together when they need to fight.
The system also has the potential to make duo fights, such as with Rathalos and Rathian, more challenging and vibrant. Fans also hope that herds of smaller monsters will gain more dynamics and act together, as real herds do. They could also easily imagine monsters like Gammoth or Nerscylla being in very large groups, should they make an appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds.
In the same interview, Fujioka also talked about what was additionally important to them in the development of Monster Hunter Wilds. He also mentioned that it was important for them to make the game accessible to as many different people as possible: Monster Hunter Wilds wants to make the best features of its predecessor even better – But not all fans are happy about it
