FFXIV, Witcher 3 Collabs Inspire Monster Hunter Wilds - IGN

Monster Hunter Wilds brings a host of exciting changes, new features, and quality-of-life enhancements to the beloved Monster Hunter series. Interestingly, the seeds for these innovations were planted during the crossover events of Monster Hunter World. Specifically, insights from Final Fantasy 14's director, Naoki Yoshida, during the FFXIV crossover, and the enthusiastic response to The Witcher 3 crossover, played pivotal roles in shaping new gameplay elements in Monster Hunter Wilds.

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 execute them. This feedback led to the introduction of a new heads-up display (HUD) feature in Monster Hunter Wilds, where attack names are visibly shown during combat. This concept was initially tested during the 2018 FFXIV crossover event in Monster Hunter: World, which featured unique elements like catchable Cactuars, a giant Kulu-Ya-Ku with a crystal, and the challenging Behemoth fight. In this event, Behemoth's moves were displayed on screen, similar to MMORPG mechanics, and players could unlock the Jump emote, inspired by Final Fantasy's Dragoon, which also displayed text on screen when used.

The positive reception to The Witcher 3 crossover in Monster Hunter: World also influenced Monster Hunter Wilds significantly. In this crossover, players took on the role of Geralt of Rivia, engaging in dialogue and making choices, a stark contrast to the silent protagonist of previous Monster Hunter games. This experience led to the inclusion of a speaking protagonist and more dialogue options in Monster Hunter Wilds, enhancing the narrative depth and player engagement.

Yuya Tokuda, the director of Monster Hunter Wilds, was particularly impressed by the comparisons drawn between the new dialogue options and gameplay elements in Wilds and those in The Witcher 3. This crossover served as a testbed for gauging player reactions to more interactive storytelling within the Monster Hunter universe. Tokuda's foresight in planning these features during the World collaborations, even before actively developing Wilds, showcases the thoughtful evolution of the series.

These insights were shared during an exclusive visit to Capcom's Japan offices as part of IGN First, where we delved into the development process and upcoming features of Monster Hunter Wilds. For more in-depth coverage, don't miss the full hands-on preview, new interviews, and exclusive gameplay from January's Monster Hunter Wilds IGN First.