Monster Hunter Wilds directors reveal a whole new locale and ferocious monster to beat through an exclusive interview. Read on to find out more about the Oilwell Basin and its king, the Nu Udra.
Monster Hunter Wilds Introduces The Black Flame, Nu Udra
Welcome To Oilwell Basin
In an exclusive interview with IGN, Monster Hunter Wilds directors Yuya Tokuda and Kaname Fujioka introduce players to one of the areas they’ll be able to explore in the full game, the Oilwell Basin, as well as the gallant monster that rules over its lands, the Nu Udra.Oilwell Basin stands out with its unique vertical structure, contrasting with the series' typical horizontally expansive locales. "We had two horizontally broad locales in the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, so we decided to make the Oilwell Basin a vertically connected place. … The deeper you go, the more magma-filled and hot it gets," explained Fujioka. He noted that the top strata are primarily composed of oil-like swamps, creating a distinct "gradation" throughout the area.
Tokuda added that the area transforms significantly during the event called the Plenty. When entering around the center or bottom level, the Oilwell Basin resembles an underwater volcano ecosystem. Drawing inspiration from the Coral Highlands in Monster Hunter World, the team crafted the Oilwell Basin's design for this state. "During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke comes out of everywhere in the Oilwell Basin like it's some sort of volcano or hot spring. But during the Plenty, it takes on a clear, marine-like tone as we just mentioned. Look closely at the environmental biology and you'll find that it's even a region inhabited by the kinds of creatures you'd expect to find on the ocean bed," Tokuda elaborated.
These creatures are unique and native to Oilwell Basin, enhancing the environment's distinctiveness. Despite its seemingly barren appearance, a diverse range of monsters and creatures call it home.
Nu Udra, The Black Flame
Every Monster Hunter locale has its apex predator, and the Oilwell Basin is no exception. It is ruled by the "Black Flame," Nu Udra. This massive, octopus-like monster boasts a slimy, flammable body shaped by its environment. It uses its slithering tentacles to capture prey before unleashing scorching flames, ensuring a fiery demise. With Windward Plains’ Rey Dau reigning over lightning, the Scarlet Forest’s Uth Duna wielding the power of water, Nu Udra completes the trio with its fire affinity.
Fujioka shared that the design of Nu Udra was intentional, aiming to introduce a tentacled creature to the series. "I’ve always wanted to add a tentacled creature at some point," he said, explaining that they transformed a typically aquatic creature into something more striking and fearsome. They also incorporated a "demonic" aesthetic, adding horn-like elements to its head. This design is complemented by unique battle music, which Tokuda described as reminiscent of demonic imagery and black magic. "We had the composers include phrases and musical instruments reminiscent of black magic. I think it ended up being a unique and good piece of music," Tokuda noted.
Fighting Nu Udra is a formidable challenge, as it wields multiple tentacles capable of both focused and area-of-effect attacks in rapid succession. It's immune to Flash Bombs, relying instead on its tentacles to sense its surroundings.
More Monsters In The Basin
Nu Udra isn't the only formidable creature in the Oilwell Basin. The Ajarakan, a massive, scaly, and monkey-like monster covered in flames, follows closely behind. It uses martial arts-inspired movements and powerful fists in its attacks, blending immense physical strength with fiery prowess, making it a thrilling addition to the series.
Another intriguing inhabitant is the Rompopolo, a strangely globular monster with thin needles for a mouth, which uses toxic gases in combat. Its eerie purple color and glowing red eyes evoke the image of a mad scientist, an inspiration the developers embraced when designing it. They described Rompopolo as a "tricky monster," noting that despite its menacing appearance, its drops result in surprisingly "cute" equipment for both the Hunter and their Palico companion.
Even a familiar face returns to the Oilwell Basin. Gravios, last seen in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, makes a comeback. Its rocky carapace and fiery breath make it a fitting addition to this volcanic region. "When we were thinking of monsters that match the Oilwell Basin's environment, make sense in the game's overall progression and don't play too similarly to any other monsters, we thought that we could make Gravios seem like a fresh challenge and decided that it would reappear," Tokuda explained.
With these exciting reveals, anticipation for Monster Hunter Wilds’ release on February 28th is reaching new heights.
