Godzilla in Monster Hunter: World - Capcom devs reveal their ideal beasts
06
Aug 18
Capcom's favorite MHW beasts and who they want to see in the action RPG
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne - DLC
Setting Shock Traps and Large Barrel Bombs or simply running for the nearest small cave to avoid becoming their next victim – the monsters of Monster Hunter: World are always making players find new and stimulating ways to enjoy their next big hunt or capture.
These creatures are so ferocious, so awe inspiring, that you wonder how anyone could think them up, let alone design them to roam around living ecosystems in a video game with their own personalities and traits. From their booming roar or the thrilling music that ensues as they begin to attack a player – or start a turf war with a fellow monster – they really are a sight to see.
Of course, this experience is down to the hard-working development team at Capcom, who have continued to nurture a 14-year strong franchise with such care that the fifth instalment in the main series has now become the publisher’s biggest-selling game ever – with rocket sales on console and plenty more expected on PC.
Speaking exclusively to Fanatical, Monster Hunter: World Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto; Director Yuya Tokuda; and Executive Director/Art Director Kaname Fujioka gave an insight into the creation of the game’s monsters – as well as famous beasts that they’d like to see in the action RPG.
“The monsters are fantastical creatures which take design inspiration and reference from various different real-world animals,” says Yuya. “But we also base some aspects of them on non-living objects depending on the kind of gameplay design we want to express. For example, Legiana is able to fly around very freely, so we wanted its wings to look like they could let it control the air resistance around it.
“We made them a more complex shape than other flying monsters wings, inspired by aeroplane wings, with many flaps that it can open and close. Another example is the electrical monster Tobi-Kadachi. It’s covered in fur which lets it charge up static electricity, and releases it to attack, so we took inspiration from electric stun-guns.”
With the team working on Monster Hunter: World for almost four years, releasing the console version first back in January, it’s fair to say that the development team will have felt engrossed by the New World that they’ve created – and the beasts that coexist within it. With over 30 monsters already featuring in the game after big updates – including ‘The Food Chain Dominator’ Deviljho first seen in Monster Hunter 3, and Behemoth as part of a crossover with Final Fantasy XV – we asked the trio which are their favorite monsters in the game.
“My favorite is the flagship monster, Nergigante,” says Yuya. “It’s very powerful but it also has clear attack patterns and weaknesses, so it’s a great monster for improving your skills. I still find it fun to hunt no matter how many times I’ve done it… oh, and its music is really cool.”
“I would say the monster which represents the whole series: Rathalos,” says Kaname. “One of the key aspects of this game was how much we would change the existing monsters who appear in it. We considered this a lot, and when I finally first saw Rathalos running in a build of the game, it bowled me over.
“It was just so cool! I’m really satisfied with how we could do justice to this monster who has done so much for us for over 10 years.”
“Kulu-Ya-Ku,” adds Ryozo. “I love his personality and how he gets bolder when he’s holding a big rock. He’ll get brave enough to take on monsters that are clearly much stronger than him.
“Keep an eye out for this behavior in the game!”
Coming face to face with these monsters throughout each of the ecosystems provides players with that adrenaline-pumping feeling that many of will no doubt have felt watching big action movies on the big screen, or through artistic splendor in comics and books. So, if they could have their own way, which popular beast would the team like to see appear in Monster Hunter: World.
“I love Warcraft, so probably the Frost Wyrm or Sindragosa from that,” says Yuya. “It would be amazing to bring such visually interesting monsters to Monster Hunter: World and see them punish hunters with the wing-beating and ice breath!”
“I would choose Gigan from Godzilla,” says Kaname. “With its single eye, sharp claws, and electric buzzsaw on its abdomen, it’s a kaiju with a very ferocious design. There are other kaiju that I like, but I would want to choose a collaboration monster that does things we couldn’t otherwise do in Monster Hunter.”
“It’s got to be Godzilla himself for me,” says Ryozo. “He’s the monster we’ve all watched since we were little, and he represents Japan!”
Do all these monsters sound tempting enough? Be sure to grab your Monster Hunter: World Steam key now!
If you opt for the Monster Hunter: World Deluxe Edition, you’ll receive the two pre-order bonuses above and also unlock the Samurai Set armor; Zen, Ninja Star and Sumo Slap gestures; MH All-Stars Set, Sir Loin Set stickers; Wyvern face paint; and Topknot hairstyle!
