Monster Hunter Wilds directors reveal a whole new locale and ferocious monster to conquer through an exclusive interview. Dive into the details about the Oilwell Basin and its ruler, the Nu Udra.
Monster Hunter Wilds Introduces The Black Flame, Nu Udra
Welcome To Oilwell Basin
In an exclusive interview with IGN, Monster Hunter Wilds directors Yuya Tokuda and Kaname Fujioka unveil one of the game's explorable areas, the Oilwell Basin, along with its dominant monster, the Nu Udra.Oilwell Basin stands out due to its vertical structure, a departure from the series' typical horizontally expansive locales. "We already had the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest as horizontally broad areas, so we chose to design the Oilwell Basin with a vertical layout. The deeper you venture, the hotter and more magma-filled it becomes," Fujioka explained, noting that the upper layers feature oil-like swamps and the area's structure follows a distinct gradation.
Tokuda added that the area transforms during the Plenty event. When entering from the middle or lower levels, the Oilwell Basin resembles an underwater volcanic ecosystem. The team leveraged their experience from designing the Coral Highlands in Monster Hunter World to craft this unique environment. "During the Fallow and Inclemency, the Oilwell Basin emits smoke like a volcano or hot spring. But during the Plenty, it adopts a clear, marine-like appearance. Observe closely, and you'll discover it's home to creatures typically found on the ocean floor," Tokuda stated.
The Oilwell Basin's distinct ecosystem supports a variety of native monsters, making it a vibrant yet seemingly desolate environment.
Nu Udra, The Black Flame
No Monster Hunter locale is complete without its apex predator. The Oilwell Basin is ruled by the "Black Flame," Nu Udra. This colossal, octopus-like monster has a slimy, flammable body adapted to its environment. It uses its tentacles to ensnare prey before engulfing them in flames. Nu Udra complements the elemental trio with Rey Dau's lightning in the Windward Plains and Uth Duna's water in the Scarlet Forest.
Nu Udra's design draws inspiration from aquatic creatures, with Fujioka expressing his long-held desire to include a tentacled monster. "We wanted to take a typical sea creature and give it a more dramatic and demonic appearance," he said, adding horn-like elements to its head to enhance its fearsome look. The monster's unique battle music further emphasizes its dark and mystical nature, with Tokuda noting, "We asked the composers to incorporate phrases and instruments reminiscent of black magic, resulting in a distinctive and impactful piece of music."
Facing Nu Udra is a formidable challenge, as it wields multiple tentacles and can unleash both focused and area-of-effect attacks rapidly. Its immunity to Flash Bombs, due to its reliance on tactile senses rather than vision, adds to the difficulty of the encounter.
More Monsters In The Basin
Nu Udra isn't the only formidable creature in the Oilwell Basin. The fiery, monkey-like Ajarakan follows closely behind, using martial arts-inspired moves and powerful fists to dominate its territory. Ajarakan's blend of physical prowess and fire-based attacks makes it a thrilling addition to the Monster Hunter series.
Another inhabitant is the globular Rompopolo, characterized by its needle-like mouth and toxic gas emissions. Its eerie purple hue and glowing red eyes evoke the image of a mad scientist, a direct inspiration for its design. Despite its menacing appearance, Rompopolo's drops yield surprisingly cute equipment for both Hunters and their Palico companions.
Even a familiar face returns: Gravio from Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. Its presence in the Oilwell Basin feels fitting, given its rocky carapace and affinity for volcanic regions. "When considering monsters that would complement the Oilwell Basin's environment and fit into the game's progression without overlapping with other creatures, Gravios seemed like a perfect fit for a fresh challenge," Tokuda remarked.
With these exciting reveals, anticipation builds for Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28th.
