From the arid expanses of deserts to the lush canopies of bustling forests, the fiery eruptions of volcanos, and the icy expanses of frozen tundra, the Monster Hunter series offers a diverse range of environments, each teeming with its own unique ecosystem crafted by an array of fascinating monsters. The thrill of exploring these unknown worlds, traversing their landscapes while on the hunt, remains one of the core pleasures of playing Monster Hunter.

This sense of adventure continues in Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in the beloved franchise. Following the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, hunters are set to explore the harsh terrains of the Oilwell Basin, a region engulfed in flames and covered by oilsilt. Here, adventurers will navigate through paths obstructed by viscous oil and blazing magma. Despite its seemingly desolate appearance, the Oilwell Basin teems with life, as evidenced by the sluggish movements of small creatures in the mire and remnants of an ancient civilization scattered throughout.

Yuya Tokuda, director of both Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Wilds, shares insights into the Oilwell Basin:

"During the Fallow, the Oilwell Basin is characterized by mud and oil. However, when the Inclemency known as the Firespring occurs, it burns away the oilsilt, and during the Plenty, the burned oil and soot clear, revealing the minerals, microorganisms, and the vibrant colors of the manmade artifacts beneath," he explains.

Down in the Muck

The development team's vision for the Oilwell Basin is detailed by Kaname Fujioka, who directed the first Monster Hunter and serves as executive director and art director for Wilds:

"Having created two expansive locales in the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, we chose to make the Oilwell Basin a vertically layered environment," he states. "The landscape shifts subtly as you move between the top, middle, and bottom strata. Sunlight bathes the top layer, where oil accumulates like mud, and as you descend, the heat intensifies, with lava and other substances becoming more prevalent."

Tokuda adds, "From the middle to bottom strata, you'll encounter creatures reminiscent of aquatic life, evoking deep seas or underwater volcanoes. In Monster Hunter: World, we developed the Coral Highlands by imagining aquatic creatures on the surface, and we've applied those learnings to craft the Oilwell Basin's creatures and ecosystem."

Fujioka emphasizes the dynamic nature of the Oilwell Basin: "During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke rises from everywhere, resembling a volcano or hot spring. Yet, during the Plenty, it adopts a clear, marine-like appearance. A closer look at the environmental biology reveals a habitat teeming with creatures you'd expect to find on an ocean bed."

The Oilwell Basin's ecosystem, unlike the sunlight-driven ecosystems of the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, is powered by geothermal energy. Beneath the oilsilt, a variety of life forms thrive, from shellfish like shrimp and crabs to small monsters that provide raw meat. These small monsters feed on microorganisms that harness the earth's heat, forming a unique food chain.

The large monsters inhabiting the Oilwell Basin are equally unique. One such creature is Rompopolo, a globular and noxious beast with a mouth resembling thin needles. Fujioka describes its design:

"We envisioned Rompopolo as a tricky monster that thrives in swamps, using its stored toxic gas to create chaos for players. The concept of a mad scientist inspired its design, which we reflected in its chemical purple hue and glowing red eyes. Interestingly, the equipment crafted from Rompopolo has a surprisingly cute aesthetic, as does the Palico gear."

Tokuda finds the Rompopolo Palico equipment "amusing," and after experiencing it firsthand, I understand their sentiment. I encourage players to craft and experience this unique gear themselves.

Flames of Ajarakan

Another intriguing monster in the Oilwell Basin is Ajarakan, which resembles a massive gorilla engulfed in flames but with a slimmer silhouette compared to the Scarlet Forest's Congalala. Videos showcase Ajarakan and Rompopolo battling for territory, with Ajarakan performing a bear hug on Rompopolo using its martial arts-inspired movements.

Tokuda explains Ajarakan's design philosophy: "Typically, fanged beasts have low hips, positioning their heads at eye level with hunters, which can make them seem less threatening. We aimed to give Ajarakan a more imposing, top-heavy silhouette. We incorporated flame elements fitting the Oilwell Basin and grabbing attacks reminiscent of a wrestler to highlight its physical strength. Ajarakan combines brute force, physical attacks, and flames, such as melting something and hurling it at the player."

Fujioka adds, "With the introduction of unique monsters one after another, we wanted to add a straightforward powerhouse like Ajarakan. Its attacks are simple yet powerful, such as punching or slamming its fists to create bursts of flame."

Ajarakan occupies a high position in the Oilwell Basin's ecosystem, its flashy appearance and flame-infused attacks distinguishing it from the cunning Rompopolo. Fujioka shares his thoughts on Ajarakan's development:

"Initially, Ajarakan was just a physically powerful monster. We worked closely with our artists and designers to add personality, using flames and heat to reflect its fiery habitat. We wanted to avoid the cliché of simply breathing fire, instead opting for a design where Ajarakan appears to wear flames like a cloak, inspired by the Buddhist deity Acala. This concept of rising internal temperatures giving it the power to melt anything in its path added depth to its character. We aimed to make players wary of being hugged by such a hot creature."

Unlike the tricky Rompopolo, Ajarakan's design emphasizes straightforward power. Fujioka notes that the team continuously added more dynamic and flashy moves to Ajarakan as development progressed, such as jumping into the air, curling into a ball, and crashing down.

A Monster Generations in the Making

Dominating the Oilwell Basin's ecosystem as its apex predator is Nu Udra, a tentacled creature that secretes flammable oil, covering itself in flames like the Windward Plains' Rey Dau with lightning or the Scarlet Forest's Uth Duna with water. Fujioka confirms that octopuses inspired Nu Udra's design:

"We wanted Nu Udra's silhouette to be striking, with demonic horns and an ambiguous face."

Tokuda elaborates on Nu Udra's thematic elements: "The music during battles with Nu Udra incorporates black magic-inspired phrases and instruments, creating a unique auditory experience."

Nu Udra's tentacle movements echo those of previous monsters like Lagiacrus from Monster Hunter Tri. Both Tokuda and Fujioka have long desired to bring such a concept to life:

"In Monster Hunter Tri, I proposed an octopus-shaped monster for underwater combat, emphasizing its unique movement," Tokuda recalls. "Despite technical challenges, I've held onto that idea, envisioning it with numerous severable parts."

Fujioka acknowledges the influence of past tentacled monsters like Yama Tsukami and Nakarkos on Nu Udra's development:

"Monsters with such movements stand out due to their unique silhouettes. While too many unique monsters can be overwhelming, introducing one at the right moment creates a strong impression, similar to encountering Yama Tsukami in Monster Hunter 2 (Dos)."

Tokuda fondly remembers placing Yama Tsukami in the game, despite technological limitations at the time, striving to make it memorable.

The Monster Hunter team's dedication to creating impactful monsters is evident throughout their development process. Even when current technology can't meet their vision, they store ideas for future use. Realizing a monster like Nu Udra, which fully utilizes its tentacle movements, represents a significant achievement for both Tokuda and Fujioka.

"While Yama Tsukami and Nakarkos were stationary tentacled monsters, Nu Udra uses its cephalopod traits to move freely, introducing new gameplay mechanics," Fujioka explains.

Tokuda adds, "Seeing the technical tests, we decided to make Nu Udra the apex predator of the Oilwell Basin due to its impactful presence."

Nu Udra's animations reflect the meticulous attention to detail by Fujioka's art team. After significant damage, Nu Udra wraps around ancient ruins to navigate the terrain, effortlessly entering small holes. This level of detail challenged the team but resulted in a visually stunning creature.

"We experimented with depicting flexible bodies with Nu Udra, pushing our artists to achieve what seemed impossible," Fujioka says. "The result is a testament to their efforts."

The team's use of new technologies to realize long-held ideas is a hallmark of the Monster Hunter series. Tokuda shares an anecdote about an animator's excitement over Nu Udra's movement into its nest, highlighting the team's passion and pride in their work.

"The way Nu Udra wraps around a pipe and squirms is a real-time display of our team's dedication," Fujioka adds proudly.

Engaging Nu Udra in battle proves challenging, with its flexible body making it difficult to find openings. Its severed tentacles continue to thrash, adding to the complexity of the fight. Tokuda advises on strategies to defeat Nu Udra:

"Its body is soft with many breakable parts. Hunters should focus on targeting these areas. Severing a tentacle reduces its area-of-effect attacks, making it easier to maneuver. Nu Udra is designed for multiplayer, where its targets are split, enhancing the experience with SOS flares and Support Hunters."

Fujioka elaborates on the action game-like approach to defeating Nu Udra: "Like Gravios, where you discover ways to defeat it by breaking its armor, Nu Udra encourages players to observe and strategize, fitting perfectly with Monster Hunter's core gameplay."

A Welcome Reunion

Fujioka's mention of Gravios sparks interest, as this beloved monster from Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate returns in the Oilwell Basin. With its rocky carapace and heat-emitting gas, Gravios is a fitting addition to the environment.

Tokuda explains the decision to bring back Gravios: "We wanted a monster that fits the Oilwell Basin, enhances the game's progression, and offers a unique challenge. Gravios meets these criteria, making it a fresh addition."

The reintroduced Gravios is even harder than before, its massive presence dominating the Oilwell Basin. Successfully attacking its carapace allows players to inflict wounds and execute Focus Strikes.

"We wanted Gravios to retain its iconic hardness while challenging players who have progressed significantly through the game," Tokuda states. "It's designed to be a puzzle that hunters solve by utilizing the wound system and part breaking."

All Monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds

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While Gravios returns, its juvenile form, Basarios, will not appear in Monster Hunter Wilds. Fujioka explains, "Basarios will sit this one out," indicating that the team carefully considers monster reappearances to ensure they enhance the game.

As discussed in our interview about monster selection, the Monster Hunter team's decisions on monster inclusion are thoughtful and strategic. Although Basarios won't feature in this game, many other monsters will inhabit the Oilwell Basin, promising exciting hunts. I eagerly anticipate exploring this new region, equipped with a Cool Drink in hand.