From dry deserts and bustling forests to blazing volcanos and frozen tundra, the Monster Hunter series is renowned for its diverse environments, each boasting a unique ecosystem shaped by its inhabitants. Exploring these uncharted territories and traversing their landscapes is one of the most thrilling aspects of the series. This sense of adventure is vividly captured in Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest addition to the franchise. After exploring the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, players will venture into the harsh and fiery Oilwell Basin, a region marked by flames and oilsilt. Despite its seemingly barren appearance, this area teems with life, from small creatures navigating the mire to remnants of an ancient civilization scattered throughout.
Yuya Tokuda, director of both Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Wilds, offers insights into the Oilwell Basin:
"During the Fallow, the Oilwell Basin is a place filled with mud and oil. When the Inclemency known as the Firespring comes, it burns away that oilsilt, and at times during the Plenty, the burned-away oil and soot vanishes, revealing the minerals, microorganisms, and the original color of the manmade artifacts hidden underneath," he explains.
Down in the Muck
The development team's vision for the Oilwell Basin was to create a vertically connected environment, as described by Kaname Fujioka, director of the original Monster Hunter and executive and art director for Wilds:
"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 environment changes slightly as you travel between the top, middle, and bottom strata. Sunlight reaches the top strata, where oil gathers like mud, and the lower you go, the hotter it becomes, with lava and other substances."
Tokuda adds, "From the middle to bottom strata, you'll find creatures reminiscent of aquatic life, similar to deep seas or underwater volcanoes. In World, we created the ecosystem of the Coral Highlands using the idea of aquatic creatures living on the surface, and we've applied that knowledge to design the Oilwell Basin's creatures and ecosystem."
Fujioka highlights the dynamic nature of the Oilwell Basin:
"During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke emerges from everywhere in the Oilwell Basin, resembling a volcano or hot spring. But during the Plenty, it transforms into a clear, marine-like environment. Look closely, and you'll find it's inhabited by creatures you'd expect on the ocean bed."
The Oilwell Basin's unique ecosystem is distinct from other locales. Beneath the oilsilt, a variety of life thrives, including shellfish like shrimp and crabs, small monsters providing raw meat, and large monsters that consume them. This environment is powered by geothermal energy, contrasting with the sunlight-driven ecosystems of the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest.
Flames of Ajarakan
The Oilwell Basin introduces new monsters, such as Rompopolo, a globular creature with a needle-like mouth that uses toxic gas to create chaos. Fujioka shares the inspiration behind its design:
"We designed it as a tricky monster that lives in swamps and uses its stored toxic gas to disrupt players. The concept of a mad scientist influenced its chemical purple color and glowing red eyes. However, the equipment you can craft from it is surprisingly cute, as is its Palico gear."
Tokuda describes the Rompopolo Palico equipment as "amusing," a sentiment I confirmed during my own playthrough.
Another new addition is Ajarakan, a flame-engulfed monster resembling a massive gorilla but with a slimmer silhouette than the Scarlet Forest's Congalala. Ajarakan uses martial arts-inspired movements, showcasing its strength through fist-based attacks and flame-enhanced abilities. Tokuda explains:
"Normally, fanged beasts have low hips, putting their heads at eye level with the hunter, which can make it harder to sense their threat. We designed Ajarakan with a top-heavy, towering silhouette, adding flame elements and grabbing attacks reminiscent of a wrestler to highlight its physical strength."
Fujioka adds, "With its straightforward attacks like punches and ground slams that cause flames to erupt, Ajarakan embodies raw power and simplicity."
Ajarakan's design evolved to incorporate more personality, as Fujioka notes:
"At first, it was just a physically powerful monster. We wanted to utilize flames and heat, but not simply as fire-breathing. We designed it to appear as if it's wearing flames like the Buddhist deity Acala. The concept of its rising internal temperature giving it the power to melt anything in front of it added significant character. We wanted players to think twice about being hugged by such a hot creature."
A Monster Generations in the Making
Dominating the Oilwell Basin as its apex predator is Nu Udra, known as the "Black Flame," an octopus-like creature that secretes flammable oil. Its design was inspired by octopuses, with a striking silhouette and demonic horns, making its face hard to discern. Tokuda shares how even the music for fighting Nu Udra was influenced by demonic imagery:
"We had the composers include phrases and musical instruments reminiscent of black magic, resulting in a unique and impactful piece of music."
The concept of a tentacled monster like Nu Udra has been a long-held ambition for both Tokuda and Fujioka, tracing back to Monster Hunter Tri's underwater combat proposals. Tokuda reflects:
"One of the concepts in Tri was underwater combat, so I proposed an octopus-shaped monster, emphasizing its distinctive underwater movements. Though technical challenges prevented us from realizing it then, I've held onto that idea until now."
Fujioka discusses the challenges of animating tentacled monsters:
"We're always interested in using monsters with unique movements at pivotal moments. Including too many can tire players, but one at the right time leaves a strong impression. The technical department's tests for Wilds went well, allowing us to finally bring Nu Udra to life as the Oilwell Basin's apex predator."
Nu Udra's animations are meticulously crafted, with the monster using ancient ruins and small holes in the terrain to move around. Fujioka explains the team's approach:
"We challenged ourselves with depicting flexible bodies for Nu Udra. At the start of development, we come up with ambitious ideas, and while they pose challenges for our artists, the final product is amazing when we succeed."
Tokuda shares a memorable moment from development:
"When we first implemented the movement of it going inside a hole, an animator told me, 'When you weaken it and it starts heading back to its nest, please wait here for a moment!' They wanted me to see it going into its little hole, and I still remember replying, 'Oh, that really is amazing!' The animator looked so satisfied as well."
Fujioka adds, "The way it squirms around while wrapped around a pipe is well-made. Only games can depict such things in real-time, and I'm incredibly proud of it as a crystallization of our team's efforts."
A Welcome Reunion
Fujioka mentions Gravios, a returning monster from Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, fitting perfectly into the Oilwell Basin with its rocky carapace and hot gas emissions. Tokuda explains the decision to bring Gravios back:
"When considering monsters that fit the Oilwell Basin's environment and the game's progression, Gravios seemed like a fresh challenge. We wanted it to reappear as a monster that's difficult to defeat at first, but with clues revealed as hunters use the wound system and part breaking."
All Monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds
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While Gravios returns, its juvenile form, Basarios, will not appear in Monster Hunter Wilds. Fujioka explains:
"Sorry, but Basarios will be taking this one off. We'll have to wait longer before we see it again."
The Monster Hunter team carefully considers monster reappearances, ensuring they add value to the game. Many other monsters will inhabit the Oilwell Basin, promising exciting hunts ahead.
