Summary
The highly-anticipated next installment of Capcom’s massively popularMonster Hunterfranchise has just been officially announced at the 2023 Game Awards. The announcement came in the form of a reveal trailer that showcased a glimpse of what to expect in terms of gameplay mechanics, setting, graphics/art style, and monsters. The newMonster Huntertitle,Monster Hunter Wilds,is labeled as “the next generation in the defining series”, and gives off characteristics ofMonster Hunter WorldandRiseespecially. TakingMonster Hunterinto its sixth official generation,Monster Hunter Wildsis sure to provide a plethora of new monsters as well as ones from previous generations.
The reveal trailer officially confirmed the presence of only one legacy monster that has become a series staple, the Rathalos. The rest of the creatures showcased seem to be variations of previous monsters. Though these new variants are not exactly the same as previouscreatures in theMonster Hunterseries, they each officially confirm the presence of a returning Monster Class/type. Perhaps the most important monster revealed in the trailer was the new mount that will help players traverse the map. Capcom has not yet officially unveiled the exact names and details of each monster inMonster Hunter Wilds, so the following list represents the information that is known about the monsters/Monster Class so far.
Monster Hunter Wilds' Confirmed Monsters
Rathalos
Easily the most immediately recognizable monster in theMonster Hunterfranchise, the Rathalos, is making its return inMonster Hunter Wilds. It wouldn’t have been a properMonster Hunterreveal trailerwithout one, as the Rathalos are one of the main recurring monsters with many different variations to face throughout the series. The trailer showcased the base form of the monster, though there are presumably going to be several versions as in games of the past. It will be exciting to see how a Rathalos hunt differs from past games withWilds' new mechanics when it launches in 2025.
A New Mount
Currently, there is no official name for the new mount inMonster Hunter Wilds.The creature seems to be at the core ofthe gameplay inWilds, with the ability to traverse tough terrain quickly. The new mount can also fly or glide, which is a step above the mount inMonster Hunter Rise.Fans can look forward to learning more about this creature in the future.
Fanged Beast - Goss Harag/Arzuros
The Hunter in theWildstrailer was being pursued by what appeared to be a new Fanged Beast-type monster. It resembled a mix ofthe Goss Harag fromRiseand the Arzuros. It has a long, rat-like tail paired with heavy brown fur. Seeming to also travel in packs, this new monster is likely going to take some new strategizing to take down.
Herbivores - Apceros and Kestodon
TheMonster Hunter Wildstrailer revealed several new Herbivores in the game. The two most prominentHerbivores in theMonster Hunter Wildstrailerwere an Apceros type and one that resembled a Kestodon. These creatures made up a herd that stampeded away from a dust storm/avalanche. These monsters will likely offer their own crafting materials and gear trees.
Bird Wyvern - Jaggi/Velociprey
For a brief moment in the trailer, a small pack of raptor-like monsters run by. At a glance, these little creatures look to be similar to the Jaggi or Velociprey from previous games. One ofthe Monster Classes in theMonster Hunteruniverseis called Bird Wyverns, which is what prior raptor-types have been classified as. It is unclear if these are carnivorous, but they are not likely to be a serious threat unless there is a larger boss version as with Bird Wyverns in the past.
Wingdrake - Noios/Remobra
Also shown very briefly in theWildstrailer was a Wingdrake flying in the background. Resembling the Noios and the Remobra, this little monster was so small it was barely noticeable. These arestaples of theMonster Hunterenvironments, appearing in many different settings. It seemsMonster Hunter Wildswill continue many trends of the past games, including the types of monsters that players may interact with.
Monster Hunter Rise
WHERE TO PLAY
Rise to the challenge and join the hunt in this high-flying addition to the Monster Hunter series. The worldwide hit series Monster Hunter returns with a host of new gameplay features, original monsters and a story inspired by ancient Japanese folklore. Personalise your hunter, choose from 14 unique weapon types, recruit your Palico Felyne and all-new Palamute Canyne companions, and gear up to explore a range of vast, richly detailed hunting maps. Whether you prefer to go solo or enjoy the company of a four-person squad, smart difficulty scaling guarantees a fair and thrilling battle. The irresistible Monster Hunter loop remains, with each successul hunt yielding the materials required to craft and upgrade your weapons and armour, allowing you to hunt tougher monsters and gather more precious resources. All versions of Monster Hunter Rise grant immediate access to a wealth of free title update content, including an additional story ending, new monsters, extra gear and more.
