The systems and possibilities in Monster Hunter Wilds are supposed to be even better and cooler than in the predecessors, says the chief. A new feature illustrates this perfectly: You can make dragons in the game herd monsters together for you.
What kind of feature is that? In Monster Hunter Wilds, the development team wants to open new approaches to hunting for you throughout the game. As an example, they mention a new herding dog option
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You will be able to make large wyverns like the Rey Dau follow you and herd entire groups of monsters together for you. Like a dog, this lightning-throwing dragon could fly behind you. Instead of sheep, it gathers monsters.
Why they are implementing this feature, the game’s director Yuya Tokuda explains himself. By the way, there is now a release date for Monster Hunter Wilds:
Mentioned in passing: Lightning-throwing lizards as herding dogs?
Why is the feature being implemented? In an interview with the Japanese gaming site Automaton, Yuya Tokuda discusses new features for Monster Hunter Wilds. Specifically, he says regarding the herding dragons
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When developing the game, we made sure to give the player as many options as possible. For example, in the beginning of the game, you can only hunt Doshaguma when they separate from the herd and are alone. We designed [Monster Hunter Wilds] so that throughout the game, other playstyles become available, such as the ability to be chased by a Rey Dau and herd entire groups together.
This means players can use one of the monsters like a herding dog and go hunting with this imposing companion. This is what the mentioned Rey Dau looks like:
In addition to the herding dragon feature, the monster herds are also new. In earlier installments, you generally faced one monster. In Wilds, however, you can also quickly get into group fights with multiple opponents.
Where does the development team get their inspiration? In the same interview, Tokuda discusses how important nature is as a model for the team: The overall game concept is to depict nature in its entirety. This includes its dangers and wealth, but also its relationship with humans.
To ensure that the opponents in Monster Hunter Wilds feel correspondingly dangerous and exhibit natural behavior, the team also revised the AI of the monsters accordingly. They are supposed to display herd-like behavior but remain individual at the same time.
Overall, the new monsters are very well received. Even MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski is excited about what Capcom has prepared for the game: How good are all the previously revealed monsters for Monster Hunter Wilds?
