After the extreme success ofMonster Hunter Wilds' launch, Capcom has kept the ball rolling with free updates, adding more features like the Grand Hub, and more importantly, new hunts. These come in the form of events, arena quests, or upgraded versions of existing monsters, like an Arch Tempered Rey Dau and a High Rank Zoh Shia (which many players have asked for). It has also resulted in brand-new monsters, such as the Mizutsune, making a return from its last appearance inMonster Hunter Rise, and Capcom has assured fans that more is on the way in the summer.
While only a short sneak peek in the free title update 1 trailer,players have already drummed up hype for Lagiacrus after seeing its foot for a few seconds. While new fans joining fromMH Worldand onward might not get what the hype is about, longtime fans have a good reason to get excited. The Lagiacrus hasn’t appeared sinceMonster Hunter Generations, excluding its twoStoriesappearances, and this should be the formula Capcom should continue with forMH Wilds' title updates, rather than bringing back the obvious picks that everyone expects.
The Bazelgeuse And Deviljho Shouldn’t Be Added To MH Wilds Through Free Updates
It’s The Obvious Choice Everyone Expects
Although both popular and known for their power,Capcom should avoid adding the Bazelgeuse and Deviljho if it can help it. These are the obvious choices that probably won’t illicit much emotion, and newcomers need to see more of the monster roster than they already have. WhileMH Wildshas brought in many new players, theMonster Hunterboom began withWorld, and many players today begin their journey with the series withWorld.MH Worldadded the Bazelgeuse and Deviljho post-launch, and they are obvious choices forMH Wilds, butWildshas proved perfect for adding old friends.
The Deviljho has an extreme metabolism that puts it in a state of constant near starvation, which is why it will hunt and eat any other monster.
Rather than turn to the obvious,MH Wildsshould add monsters no one expects to allow veterans to relive the nostalgia of games of old while broadening the kinds of monsters that newer players get to face. TheBazelgeuse and Deviljho can always be added later down the line in an expansion to start off Master Rank, but assuming there is limited space for free update monsters, these spaces should go to something else.MH Wildsis built for newcomers, so the veterans deserve a little something for sticking with the series,beginning with the Lagiacrus.
Room Should Be Made For Monsters That Haven’t Made A Return In A While
Especially If These Monsters Add More Monster Type Variety
WIth its bubbles, the Mizutsune feels like quite a unique addition, and although the Free Title Update 1 trailer didn’t show any of the Lagiacrus' fights, its long, serpentine body will fit Scarlet Forest well, while its lightning attacks will make it distinct from the Uth Duna, which is another swimming leviathan. There are plenty of monsters that haven’t returned in a long time that will help add monster variety,especially becauseMH Wildsmakes up for fewer monsters with more skeleton variety. A monster I would love to see added is the Gammoth.
Like the Lagiacrus, theGammoth hasn’t been seen sinceMonster HunterGenerations, and what makes it unique is its skeleton. It resembles a woolly mammoth, and its ice abilities make it perfect for the Iceshard Cliffs. With theMizutsune being addedto the Scarlet Forest, and the Lagiacrus seemingly fits in the same area, so taking players elsewhere would be a nice change of pace. More importantly, the Gammoth will be unlike any other fight in the game, and its trunk will allow the sound team to flex its muscles like it has with other monsters.
Collaboration Monsters Could Give MH Wilds Something New
Similar To The Leshen And Behemoth
Monster Hunterhas a rich history of collaborations, from internal Capcom ones to the unexpected and strange, such as with Hatsune Miku.Worldcollaborated withThe Witcher 3andFinal Fantasy, resulting in the Leshen and Behemoth fights. These types of hunts should be prioritized over the Deviljho and Bazegeuse as well, since they add something brand new to the series, and there is the chance for something truly odd. Capcom could play it safe and add theRed Dragon fromDragon’s Dogma2(Grigori) as an extremely difficult hunt for groups of four.
Hatsune Miku appeared inMonster Hunter Frontier-G, where there was armor to make hunters look like her.
Although unlikely, a collaboration withBaldur’s Gate 3orDungeons and Dragonscould pit hunters against an owlbear or other monsters from the Forgotten Realms, and considering Capcom’s past with collaborations, there is always a chance. Still,Monster Hunter Wildshas so many options for new additions that it shouldn’t go for what everyone expects. The series has such a rich roster of fondly remembered foes, and digging a bit further back to find the right ones is well worth the effort for Capcom going forward.
