This is something MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya did not expect: When she asked the lead developers of Monster Hunter: Wilds a harmless question at gamescom, she did not foresee how difficult it would be to answer.
I was able to play the new main installment of the Monster Hunter series at gamescom both solo and in co-op. The demo of Monster Hunter: Wilds is, as expected, already of high quality and feels directly more action-packed to me than its predecessor.
After playing, I get to ask the lead developers a few questions, which I naturally do. I like to wrap up interviews with a fun or personal question to lighten the mood towards the end of the conversation.
I did not expect to ask the developers a “fun question” that would be so difficult that we almost have to end the interview! That is what I want to tell you here. The rest and the more serious part of the interview you will get tomorrow on MeinMMO.
Update 25.08: The second part of the interview is now published: “It is important not to overwhelm players” – The lead developers of Monster Hunter Wilds in the interview
Here is the question:
You certainly saw that the community on Steam tagged your game “Dating Simulator” because of the blonde blacksmith. Now I wonder, if Monster Hunter really were a dating simulator, which monsters would you send on a date together?
Here you can find the background to the question:
Between Power Couple and Romantic Spider
Now imagine three Japanese developers sitting in front of me, breaking out into loud laughter. The PR and the interpreter also join in the laughter.
However, it does not stay with laughter for long. Suddenly I see serious faces, furrowing their brows. The hands come to the chin for the perfect thinking pose.
Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto concludes after intense consideration: For the entire series, Rathalos and Rathian are the “power couple”.
However, I do not accept the answer, as it is far too obvious. The two wyverns have long been known as the couple in Monster Hunter and might even become the flagship monsters of the dating sim.
Game Director Yuya Tokuda interjects: Among the new monsters, Lala Barina would certainly be romantic. It is really a tough final question!
La La Barina is a new monster that makes its debut in Wilds. This monster builds its nest in the Scarlet Forest, moves with grace, and mimics the appearance of a blooming rose.
This is of course quite fitting for a dating sim, but we still don’t have a couple.
PR staff Ian is getting nervous. Because the next interviewees are waiting for their interview with the lead developers. Ian assures me that he has not taken the three developers seriously throughout gamescom.
I look one last time questioningly around the room and see how the three developers are still sifting through their entire monster catalog in their heads and falling silent. My interview has now slightly exceeded the time.
After some discussion among the developers, producer Ryozo Tsujimoto blurts out the answer: Zinogre and Mizutsune.
So now we know which monsters would go on a dream date together!
Thus, we have started with the truly relevant information. I am now processing the rest of the interview. There we will talk about Monster Hunter as a complete service game and conflicts between newcomers and those who have been playing Monster Hunter for a long time.
Until then, take a look at our weapon list for Monster Hunter Wilds and maybe find a favorite there. I personally prefer the hammer for a few powerful arguments.
