Monster Hunter Wilds brings a host of exciting changes, new features, and quality-of-life improvements to the beloved Monster Hunter series. Interestingly, the seeds for these innovations were planted during Monster Hunter World's crossover events. Insights from Naoki Yoshida, the director of Final Fantasy 14, during the FFXIV crossover, and the positive feedback on The Witcher 3 crossover, played a pivotal role in shaping Monster Hunter Wilds' gameplay elements.
During the collaboration for the FFXIV crossover, Naoki Yoshida, affectionately known as Yoshi-P, suggested to Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda that players appreciate seeing the names of their attacks displayed on-screen as they perform them. This feedback led to a significant change in Monster Hunter Wilds' heads-up display (HUD), introducing this feature, which was first tested during the 2018 FFXIV crossover event in Monster Hunter: World. This event not only introduced catchable Cactuars and the challenging Behemoth fight but also allowed players to experience attack names appearing on-screen, a feature now fully integrated into Monster Hunter Wilds.
How Final Fantasy XIV’s Director Influenced Monster Hunter Wilds
The collaboration with FFXIV showcased various elements, including the Behemoth fight where attack names appeared on-screen. Additionally, the Jump emote, inspired by Final Fantasy's Dragoon, was introduced, further hinting at the future HUD enhancements in Monster Hunter Wilds.
The Drachen armor set, Gae Bolg Insect Glaive, and Dragon Soul Kinsect, part of the FFXIV collaboration, further enriched the gameplay experience, setting the stage for Monster Hunter Wilds' new features.
How The Witcher 3 Influenced Monster Hunter Wilds
Yuya Tokuda was inspired by the positive reception to The Witcher 3 collaboration in Monster Hunter: World, which led to the inclusion of more dialogue options and a speaking protagonist in Monster Hunter Wilds. In the crossover event, players could experience Geralt of Rivia's voice and dialogue choices, a stark contrast to the traditionally silent protagonist of the Monster Hunter series. This experiment proved successful, paving the way for a more interactive and narrative-driven experience in Monster Hunter Wilds.
In Monster Hunter Wilds, players can now engage in conversations with NPCs, such as Alma, reflecting the influence of The Witcher 3's dialogue system. Although Monster Hunter Wilds was not in active development during the World's collaborations, Tokuda's foresight and enthusiasm for integrating elements from The Witcher 3 collaboration have significantly shaped the new game.
These insights were shared during an exclusive visit to Capcom's Japan offices as part of IGN First, offering a deeper look into the development process and future of the Monster Hunter series. For more details, check out the full hands-on preview, new interviews, and exclusive gameplay from January's Monster Hunter Wilds IGN First:
Behind Monster Hunter Wilds' New Approach to Starting Weapons and Hope Series Gear
Monster Hunter Wilds Interview and Gameplay: Meet Nu Udra, Apex of the Oilwell Basin
Evolving Monster Hunter: How Capcom’s Belief in the Series Made it a Worldwide Hit
Monster Hunter Wilds: Gravios Returns in This Exclusive Gameplay
