Summary
Monster Hunter Wildsis the highly anticipated next entry in the long-running franchise. The game’s reveal trailer focused heavily on its new mount and dynamic environments, but like every game in the series, the star of the show will be its monsters. Over almost 20 years and numerous entries, the franchise has racked up an impressive roster of beasts. Some of these monsters have become beloved staples, while others have faded into obscurity. Every new game raises the question of which fearsome creatures will return. Little is known aboutMonster Hunter Wilds, but based on the information available, there are a handful of critters that should make an appearance.
Monster Hunter Wilds Needs to Bring Back These Creatures
Bishaten
Bishatenis a monkey-like monster introduced inMonster Hunter Rise. The creature can launch fruit with its tail or stand up high on it. Bishaten isn’t a tough fight inRise, but this new game could reinvent the creature. The denser environments inMonster Hunter Wildscould give it places to hide, or trees to climb and move between. The fruit it throws could vary depending on the player’s location, or it could throw another object found in the world. Bishaten isn’t an iconic or brutal fight, but the increased technical capabilities of current-generation hardware and more immersive environments could make fighting it more engaging.
Almudron
Almudron is another newcomer fromMonster Hunter Rise. The standard variation of the creature lives in mud and water and can partially submerge itself. One thing that set Almudron apart was its ability to create pillars of mud that could trap the player in a contained area, althoughRise’s Wirebugs let players scale them in an attempt to turn the tables on the monster. TheSunbreakexpansion introduced theMagma Almudronvariant that lived in volcanic environments. Its attacks can leave pools of magma that instill fireblight, making it a much more dangerous foe. Almudron’s unique abilities made it a memorable fight inRise, andMonster Hunter Wildsshould build on that success.
Zinogre
Zinogre originated in the third generation of titles but has become a staple in recentMonster Huntergames, appearing inWorld’sIceborneexpansion andRise. Zinogre is known as the Thunder Wolf. The creature has massive claws and a plated tail, making it immediately threatening, and as its title suggests, it has control over electricity, allowing it to zap and stun its prey. In spite of making multiple appearances in recent games, Zinogre is always an engaging encounter, so bringing it back makes sense. In this new game, the monster could potentially summon lightning storms such as the one shown inMonster Hunter Wilds’reveal.
Akantor and Ukanlos are Due For A Comeback in MH Wilds
Akantor and Ukanlos last appeared inMonster Hunter Generations Ultimate, a Nintendo Switch port ofMonster Hunter XX, a 3DS title. Akantor is a giant fire dragon covered in black and red spines also known as “The Infernal Black God.” Ukanlos is a similarly massive flightless dragon known as “The White God” that lives in icy territories. Despite their opposite elemental alignments, their fights played out similarly in previous games. The creatures have a habit of burrowing and launching fire or ice. Akantor and Ukanlos use their environment as a weapon, so it would be exciting to see a new spin on these creatures that takes advantage ofMonster Hunter Wilds’supposed terraformingand differentiate them further.
Akantor, Ukanlos, and other creatures left out ofWorldandRisewill benefit significantly from the enhanced graphics in modern MH games.Monster Hunter Wildswill take full advantage of current-gen hardware, and given its lengthy development time, it is almost certain that returning monsters will get some visual upgrades or overhauls. Little is known aboutMonster Hunter Wilds, and the game is over a year away, but it is already hotly anticipated. More details about the game are expected to come out in 2024.
