Monster Hunter Wilds: Open World Gameplay Redefines Series

Following the groundbreaking success of Monster Hunter World, Capcom is set to revolutionize the series with Monster Hunter Wilds.

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Redefining the Monster Hunter's Hunting Grounds

Monster Hunter Wilds is Capcom's bold new venture in the iconic Monster Hunter series, transforming epic battles into a dynamic, interconnected world that boasts a living ecosystem that evolves in real-time. This ambitious project promises to redefine what fans expect from the franchise.

In a detailed interview with Game Developer at the recent Summer Game Fest, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto, executive director Kaname Fujioka, and game director Yuya Tokuda shared insights into how Monster Hunter Wilds aims to transform the series. They highlighted a new emphasis on seamless gameplay and an immersive environment that reacts to player actions.

As with its predecessors, Monster Hunter Wilds casts players as hunters exploring a new, uncharted territory filled with unique wildlife and resources. However, the demo at Summer Game Fest showcased a significant shift from the series' traditional mission-based structure to a seamless, open-world experience where players can freely explore, hunt, and interact with their surroundings.

"The seamlessness of the game is truly at the heart of our design philosophy for Monster Hunter Wilds," Fujioka remarked. "Our goal was to craft detailed, immersive ecosystems that demand a seamless world where players can freely engage with the myriad of hostile monsters."

In-Game World is Immensely Dynamic

The demo presented at Summer Game Fest featured expansive desert settlements, diverse biomes, and a variety of monsters, along with NPC hunters. The new approach of the game allows players to select their targets and actions without the pressure of a timer, offering a more liberated hunting experience. Fujioka stressed the importance of interaction with the world, saying, "We concentrated on dynamic interactions, such as packs of monsters pursuing prey and their encounters with human hunters. These characters exhibit 24-hour behavior patterns, contributing to a more dynamic and lifelike world."

Monster Hunter Wilds also introduces real-time weather changes and fluctuating monster populations. Game director Yuya Tokuda elaborated on how new technology has facilitated this dynamic world. "Creating a vast, changing ecosystem with numerous monsters and interactive characters was a significant challenge. Now, environmental changes occur in real-time, which was not possible before."

The triumph of Monster Hunter World provided Capcom with crucial insights that shaped the development of Wilds. Series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto emphasized the importance of a global approach throughout the development process. "With Monster Hunter World, we adopted a global mindset, aiming for a simultaneous worldwide release and extensive localization. This perspective helped us reconnect with players who had drifted away from the series and attract new ones."