Highlights

  • Monster Hunter Wilds breaks the mold with an original story, dynamic weather, and named characters like Alma to enhance gameplay.
  • The unique pack system and fully-voiced protagonist add challenge and depth to Monster Hunter Wilds, setting it apart from previous titles.
  • The introduction of named characters like Alma, Nata, and Gemma hint at a more engaging and innovative narrative for Monster Hunter Wilds.

As more is revealed about it, Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds continues to chip away at the mold established by the franchise over the last two decades. Like the Monster Hunter titles before it, Monster Hunter Wilds will have an original story for players to follow, complete with a brand-new cast of characters to meet and monsters to hunt. At the same time, Monster Hunter Wilds is defying tradition with a dynamic weather system that enhances and adds challenge to exploration, a pack system to make hunting monsters more difficult, and a fully-voiced protagonist. It doesn't seem to be stopping there either, as even more changes can be found within the footage released for the game so far.

As usual, between hunts, players will return to their base camp to perform enhancements and upgrades to their gear with the help of Monster Hunter Wilds unique characters. Although this is nothing new to the Monster Hunter franchise, one Monster Hunter Wilds character that has already been introduced is a good omen for the changes this particular installment is bringing to the table. Alma is a new character in Monster Hunter Wilds who acts as the Hunter's "Handler," which means she will accompany players on their hunts and provide any information they might need. However, since every Monster Hunter title has a unique Handler, her name, not her role, is what makes her appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds a groundbreaking move for the series.

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Monster Hunter Wilds' Voiced Protagonist Has Big Implications for Multiplayer

Monster Hunter Wilds will innovate on the series formula through more voice acting, and this design choice could be useful in online play.

Named NPCs Like Alma Are a Good Sign for Monster Hunter Wilds' Story

Monster Hunter Isn't Known for Having Memorable Stories

One of Monster Hunter's biggest criticisms has always been its lackluster narrative. Almost every Monster Hunter game observes a similar trope: the monsters in the region have been driven mad, and it's up to the Hunter to bring an end to whatever monster or source is causing it. It's not the worst storyline ever written, but it's not the most emotionally gripping or memorable one either. That being said, some might argue that Monster Hunter doesn't need a deep narrative. After all, with such engaging and rewarding gameplay, there is arguably little need for a good story to drive it home. On the contrary, a much more compelling story might be what the Monster Hunter franchise needs to succeed in today's market, and Monster Hunter Wilds may be able to accomplish that.

Monster Hunter Wilds' Named Characters May Give Its Story More Depth

The heartbeat of almost any story is its characters, so the changes that Monster Hunter Wilds is bringing to the franchise bode well for the depth of its narrative. Specifically, an often-criticized tradition of the Monster Hunter franchise is to include unnamed NPCs for players to interact with. However, Monster Hunter Wilds is introducing named characters like Alma, which simultaneously implies a much more engaging story this time around. Other named characters, like a young boy named Nata and Gemma the smithy, will also be joining players on their journey through the wilds, but since Alma is the Hunter's Handler, she will likely be one they interact with more than anyone else.

The story of Monster Hunter Wilds has yet to be unveiled to its fullest extent, and it likely won't be until the game's release. Even so, named characters like Alma, Nata, and Gemma bode well for Monster Hunter Wilds' narrative, meaning it could very well end up being one of the most innovative Monster Hunter installments yet. At the very least, it will be a challenge to go back to unnamed NPCs and voiceless protagonists after Monster Hunter Wilds, so it may set a precedent for the franchise's future.