Despite Making a New Game, Capcom Has Left Monster Hunter Wilds’ Key Feature Without An Upgrade

As a devoted fan, I must say that Monster Hunter Wilds has breathed fresh life into our beloved series, showcasing an impressive level of ambition. This game offers a vast open world, realistic dynamic weather systems, and refined mechanics compared to its predecessors. Yet, it seems that there are no new weapons to be found – leaving me curious about what innovative surprises Capcom might have in store for us!

Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on the fact that it’s been more than ten years since the Monster Hunter series added a new weapon type. The last time we saw a new addition was with the Charge Blade and Insect Glaive back in 2013’s Monster Hunter 4. That’s two whole generations of games! Tweaking existing weapons is important, but a decade is quite a long gap.

Capcom has had far too long, and there are no excuses

It’s hardly surprising that the 14-weapon system has become a mainstay in Monster Hunter, considering it’s had a decade to prove its worth. We’re not implying it’s lacking or subpar in any way. In fact, Monster Hunter games cater to a multitude of playstyles. Whether you prefer powerful, slow strikes or swift, intricate attacks, there’s a weapon tailored to your preference.

The developers at the studio haven’t ignored the possibility of adding a 15th weapon class, but they are hesitant because creating a new weapon type for Monster Hunter Wilds is an extremely challenging process, as stated by director Yuya Tokuda in an interview with PCGamesN before the game’s release.

Modifying each title requires a great deal of effort, as we need to tweak all weapon types and potentially introduce fresh ideas. The amount of resources and time invested in this process is something we’ve consistently believed should be used to improve the existing lineup rather than adding another new one.

Creating a new weapon for a Monster Hunter game isn’t simply about coming up with a fresh moveset; instead, it involves numerous stages such as thorough balancing, creation of new animations, and blending seamlessly with the existing game mechanics. It also requires ensuring that the weapon stands out from what is already available. We understand it’s challenging, but making one every decade seems quite rare, doesn’t it?

We’ve been fine without a new weapon type, but that’s not the point

One reason we can identify for this choice is that when a weapon appears in a game, it creates an assumption that it will reappear in future editions. This expectation puts significant pressure on developers to get it right. Balancing this pressure with their dedication to refining existing weapons might have been the reason they opted against introducing a new type of weapon in MH Wilds.

It’s clear that both views of the debate hold merit, even within community discussions, as there are supporters who think Capcom made an astute decision by emphasizing balance and refinement rather than introducing a fresh weapon into the game. However, it’s equally reasonable to argue that the series has been around long enough to incorporate something new.

In keeping with Capcom’s style, it’s always uncertain what the studio is planning next, but the possibility of introducing fresh weapons remains on the horizon. Given that MH Wilds has adhered to its 14 established weapon categories, perhaps the upcoming game will be the one to finally introduce a new class. Rest assured, it won’t be due to any issues with popularity or financial concerns.

Each of the fourteen weapons in the current lineup of Monster Hunter games contributes significantly to their unique appeal. Despite the diverse array of options, the series could certainly benefit from introducing a fresh weapon type.

2025-03-14 05:32

Capcom has had far too long, and there are no excuses

We’ve been fine without a new weapon type, but that’s not the point

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