If you ask players what excites them about the *Monster Hunter* series, many will mention the thrill of crafting new equipment from materials gathered during hunts. The joy of completing a head-to-toe armor set and matching weapon after repeatedly hunting the same monster is a cherished experience for nearly every hunter.
The concept of equipment in the *Monster Hunter* series has remained consistent since its inception: defeat monsters and harness their power by crafting equipment from their remains. Players rely on their skills to slay powerful monsters, then utilize those monsters' abilities to enhance their own strength.
In an interview with IGN, *Monster Hunter Wilds* Executive Director and Art Director Kaname Fujioka elaborated on the concept behind the series' equipment. "While our design range has expanded significantly, we used to focus heavily on the idea that if you're wearing Rathalos' equipment, you should resemble Rathalos." *Monster Hunter Wilds* introduces new monsters, each contributing unique and colorful equipment. For instance, Rompopolo, designed to resemble a mad scientist, features a distinctive head armor piece that mimics a plague doctor's mask. You can view this armor set in the hunt video below.
Among the various sets of monster equipment, the developers emphasize the significance of the starting equipment that your hunter begins the game with. Fujioka shared, "I designed the starting weapons for all 14 weapon types from scratch. This is the first time I've done this, as far as I can remember. Previously, new hunters started with basic, primitive weapons. However, as the protagonist in this game is a chosen hunter, it wouldn't be fitting for them to carry a plain weapon. I wanted to make it feel like you're a star, even with starting equipment."
*Monster Hunter Wilds* Director Yuya Tokuda added, "In *Monster Hunter: World*, weapon designs generally maintained a consistent form but varied based on the monster materials used. In *Wilds*, however, each weapon boasts a unique design." These starting weapons are crafted to reflect the narrative that you are an experienced hunter selected to explore the Forbidden Lands. Tokuda also noted that the starting armor is meticulously designed to complement the storyline.
"The starting armor for this game is called the Hope series," Tokuda said. "Its design is incredibly cool, to the point where you could wear it until the game's end without it feeling out of place."
The Hope set, with its deep emerald green base color, transforms into a hooded long coat when completed. Fujioka explained that creating the set was challenging, with each piece designed to function independently yet cohesively as a full ensemble. "We've actually given more attention to the Hope series than any other equipment in this game," he said. "In previous games, upper-body and lower-body armor were separate, and we couldn't depict them as forming a single coat. Due to gameplay mechanics, each piece had to be its own part. However, I wanted to see if we could create a flowing hooded coat. We made it possible in this game by dedicating significant in-game resources to it. As players progress, they'll discover various pieces of equipment, and we encourage them to experiment with different weapons. That's why we aimed to make the Hope series understated yet elegantly cool."
It's a luxury to start a game with equipment that creators have invested so much effort and thought into. The 14 starting weapons and the Hope series are meticulously crafted to resemble the gear of a distinguished star hunter. We eagerly anticipate examining all their intricate details in the completed game.
