Monster Hunter Wilds directors reveal a whole new locale and ferocious monster to beat through an exclusive interview. Read on to find out more about the Oilwell Basin and its king, 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 introduce players to one of the areas they’ll be able to explore in the full game, the Oilwell Basin, as well as the gallant monster that rules over its lands, the Nu Udra.
Oilwell Basin is unique in that it is vertically structured rather than the usual horizontally broad locales of the series. "We had two horizontally broad locales in the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, so we decided to make the Oilwell Basin a vertically connected place. … The deeper you go, the more magma-filled and hot it gets," said Fujioka, adding that the top strata mostly consist of oil-like swamps and that there’s sort of a "gradation" in its overall structure.
Tokuda chimed in that the entire area will take on a new form once the event known as the Plenty is ongoing. Once you enter around the center or bottom level, the area will look more like an underwater volcano ecosystem. The team drew on the knowledge they had from creating the Coral Highlands back in Monster Hunter World to come up with the design of the Oilwell Basin in this state. "During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke comes out of everywhere in the Oilwell Basin like it's some sort of volcano or hot spring. But during the Plenty, it takes on a clear, marine-like tone as we just mentioned. Look closely at the environmental biology and you'll find that it's even a region inhabited by the kinds of creatures you'd expect to find on the ocean bed."
These creatures are distinct and native to Oilwell Basin, which further makes the environment more unique. It looks lifeless, but there are a plethora of monsters and creatures that call it home.
Nu Udra, The Black Flame
Of course, a location in a Monster Hunter game is not without its apex predator. The harsh and desolate environment is home to the "Black Flame," Nu Udra. A massive, octopus-esque monster with a slimy and flammable body made by its environment, it effectively makes use of its slithering tentacles to capture prey before unleashing scorching flames, sending them to a fiery death. With Windward Plains’ Rey Dau reigning over lightning, the Scarlet Forest’s Uth Duna wielding the power of water, the eldritch horror-looking Nu Udra completes the trio with its fire affinity.
Nu Udra largely resembles an octopus, a seafaring creature, and Fujioka shared that this was as intended. "I’ve always wanted to add a tentacled creature at some point," he mentioned, continuing that they thought of taking a normally aquatic creature and modifying them to give a more striking look and feel. Additionally, they were going for a "demonic" look, and they added horn-like elements to its head. It all ties in together with its unique battle music, which is reminiscent of demonic imagery and black magic. "We had the composers include phrases and musical instruments reminiscent of black magic. I think it ended up being a unique and good piece of music," Tokuda added.
Battling it is immensely challenging as well, as it is equipped with several tentacles and is able to attack with both focused and AoE (area of effect) moves in rapid succession. It is immune to Flash Bombs as it doesn’t rely on its vision to see prey—it only needs its many tentacles to have a feel of its environment.
More Monsters In The Basin
However, it’s not only Nu Udra that roams the barren land with authority. Trailing just behind it is the huge, scaly, and monkey-like Ajarakan, covered from head to toe in flames. It attacks with martial arts-inspired movements and frequent use of its fists in its moveset. A terrifying blend of massive physical strength and fire power, Ajarakan is a welcome new addition to the series’ repertoire of monsters.
There is also the strangely globular monster with thin needles for a mouth called the Rompopolo, who uses toxic gases from its body in combat. Its strangely purple color and glowing red eyes are menacing, just like a mad scientist. The developers said that they were directly inspired by the stereotypical mad scientist in trying to design Rompopolo, calling it a "tricky monster." Despite its eerie features, they said that its drops make for surprisingly "cute" equipment for both the Hunter and their Palico companion.
Even a monster from previous games makes its comeback. Gravio, last seen in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, returns to occupy the Oilwell Basin as well. This was because it felt like it would fit the overall locale, with its rocky carapace, fiery breath, and is oftentimes found in volcanic regions. "When we were thinking of monsters that match the Oilwell Basin's environment, make sense in the game's overall progression and don't play too similarly to any other monsters, we thought that we could make Gravios seem like a fresh challenge and decided that it would reappear," Tokuda mentioned.
With all these reveals, it’s hard not to be pumped for Monster Hunter Wilds’ upcoming release on February 28th.
Source:
Monster Hunter Wilds Interview: Meet Nu Udra, Apex of the Oilwell Basin – IGN First
Monster Hunter Wilds: Exploring the Oilwell Basin With the Capcom Developers – IGN First on YouTube