Monster Hunter Risetook the gaming world by storm after it released on Nintendo Switch this March, and Capcom is keeping the game alive with a steady stream of small updates. TheMonster Hunterfranchise has featured numerous crossovers in the past with other Capcom properties likeDevil May Cry, as well as industry staples likeThe Legend of Zelda, so it’s no surprise that today the developer announcedMonster Hunter Risewill getOkamicontent on July 30.
One of the new features that debuted inMonster Hunter Riseis the Palamute, a canine companion hunters can bring with them alongside the series' feline Palico. Palamute are primarily a means of transportation, allowing players to cross the game’s various open maps faster and without wasting stamina, though they also do battle with monsters. Adding a layered armor set based onOkami’s Amaterasu is a perfect way to showcase how new canine-themed crossovers can take place thanks to the Palamute, and there are a number of options Capcom should consider.
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FollowingOkami’s Amaterasu event quest, there will be a third Capcom collaboration set inMonster Hunter Risethis August, and two more coming this fall. It’s unlikely they will all focus exclusively on content related to the Palamute, but it seems like a no-brainer to add layered armor based on Rush from theMega Manfranchise.
There are a number of canines in Capcom’s library beyond Amaterasu, but Rush feels like a more fitting inclusion than something like aT-Virus zombie dog fromResident Evil.Monster Hunter’s mechanics may not allow Rush to fly, but Capcom could pay homage to the character’s abilities with a spring animation when hunters leap off their armored Palamute.
WithMonster Hunter Risebeing a Nintendo Switch-exclusive for the time being, it would only make sense for Capcom to capitalize on a Nintendo crossover using one of the console’s best-selling titles.Animal Crossing: New Horizonsstill has updates for 2021in development, and it would be fun to see a crossover come to both titles. GivenNew Horizonshas addedSuper Mario-themed cosmetics, it could just as easily doMonster Hunter.
Isabelle seems the obvious choice to joinMonster Hunter, even if someone like K.K. Slider has represented theAnimal Crossingseries longer. That being said, even thoughMonster Hunter Rise’sWings of Ruincrossover DLCshows Capcom is willing to add more cartoonish armor sets for Palico, the bipedalAnimal Crossingcharacters may not translate well to quadrupedal Palamute. In that case it may be better for the layered armor to simply change the Palamute fur color, or just give them a newAnimal Crossing-themed weapon.
It’s hard to say what Konami is willing to do with theMetal Gearfranchise after its split with Hideo Kojima, but there is precedent for Konami and Capcom to work together consideringMetal Gear Solid: Peace Walkercrossed over withMonster Hunter Portable 3rdin 2010. Thus it wouldn’t be unusual to see Venom Snake fromMetal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Painappear as a hunter’s layered armor set, but more importantly that means Diamond Dog (D-Dog, or just DD) could come with him.
Similar to Venom Snake, D-Dog is often depicted with an eyepatch over his missing right eye, and inMGS5he can be recruited as an AI buddy to assist with reconnaissance and target eliminations. One of thepre-order bonuses forMonster Hunter Risewas a more realistic golden retriever armor set for the Palamute, so it wouldn’t be strange to see a canine like DD racing across the Shrine Ruins.
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Dogmeat is one of the most iconic companions fromFallout 4, if not theFalloutseries as a whole. This became apparent earlier this year when former Bethesda developer Joel Burgess announcedDogmeat’s real-life inspiration River passed away.
There was an outpouring of support for Burgess and his family online as countlessFalloutfans shared their fond memories with the canine companion.Xbox and Bethesda also donated to the Montgomery County Humane Societyin honor of River shortly after the announcement. It’s perhaps a stretch to imagineMonster Huntercrossing over withFalloutin this way, but memorializing the character of Dogmeat in more properties would be a nice way to pay respects.
The Annoying Dog fromUndertaletechnically isn’t just a dog, it’s also an avatar representing the game’s creator Toby Fox. Over the course of theEarthbound-inspired indie RPG, the Annoying Dog periodically appears to spread chaos, and a similar white dog is referenced in the first chapter ofToby Fox’s follow-upDeltarune- apparently working on a computer game that it suggests may take a long time to complete, obviously referencingDeltarune’s own development.
Monster Hunter Risemay not be the best place for an Annoying Dog crossover considering its design is little more than a blob of white pixels, but Toby Fox’s rise to fame following the release ofUndertaleis a good indication that it’s possible. Not only doesSans appear as a Mii Fighter costume inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatealongside the song “Megalovania,” but Toby Fox also had the opportunity to work on music inPokemon SwordandShieldfor Game Freak. Crossing over with Capcom would be just one more accolade for the developer.
IfUndertalehas conceivably grown beyond its status as an indie game, Chucklefish’sWargrooveis a prime candidate for indie representation inMonster Hunter Rise- should Capcom be in the market for that.Wargrooveis a turn-based tactics game released in 2019 that’s reminiscent of classicIntelligent Systems franchisesAdvance WarsandFire Emblem(though mainly the prior), but it particularly stands out for its use of multiplayer and custom campaign creators.
One of theCommanders from the Cherrystone Kingdomwhere players begin the game is Caesar, the royal dog who can inspire his allies to take another action each turn. The character’s white fur is reminiscent of Amaterasu and Annoying Dog, but the great pyrenees' armor is unique and seems fitting for a Palamute.
Monster Hunter Riseis now available for the Nintendo Switch. A PC port is expected to launch in early 2022.
