I’m intrigued by the Anjanath’s imposing stature and ferocity. Its majestic presence makes me wonder how this magnificent creature manages to thrive in the unforgiving world of Monster Hunter. If you started watching the 20-year-old series, your response is likely to be unique. Amongst the most battle-hardened hunters, a soft spot remains for the esteemed Khezu, Diablo, and Fatalis species. Arrivals may nostalgically recall the Nargacugas, the revered Royal Ludroths, and the storied Mizutsune. As a fan of unusual creatures, I have a soft spot for the Tetsucabra. Its unique appearance is captivating, and I find its amphibian features intriguing.
In its current form, Monster Hunter has been a self-indulgent haven for fans, featuring creatures from nearly every corner of the beloved franchise, thus far. Newcomers like Magnamalo and Mizutsune are now mingling alongside established favorites such as Rathalos and Rathian in our collection. Diablo spawns subsequent to Pukei-Pukei have been acquired by you. The exhibit showcases an eclectic array of species typically found in the wild, yet it’s remarkable to note that several notable omissions exist.
During our interview at Monster Hunter’s first-ever IRL event in Shibuya, Japan, Sakae Osumi, senior producer for Monster Hunter Now, assures me that “there aren’t any monsters that might be off the desk.” “We’ve consistently introduced new monsters over the past year, including a variety of variants, as well as Elder dragons, which we’ve also started incorporating recently.”
As the summer sun beat down in intensity, a radiant grin spread across Kei Kawai’s face, Niantic’s chief product officer, as he enthusiastically chimed in to continue the conversation with Osumi. “So it became increasingly apparent that Teostra, the Elder Dragon enveloped in a fiery aura of heat!” Introduced as a new feature for this year’s sporting event. Invariably, we observe that a specific ‘real-world’ context exists behind our choice of monsters to add.
“That’s a crucial clue to what follows,” replied Osumi, her expression clearly stunned.
Kawai’s laughter rings out as he clarifies, “I’m not hinting at anything.”
Will this hint at a chilling influx of icy behemoths joining the game, perhaps even more so during the cold winter season? Perhaps we’ll witness the introduction of Lunagaron, a new monster from Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, allowing us to study it alongside Magnamalo in the game. Perhaps we’ll catch a glimpse of everyone’s least favorite abomination, Gos Harag, making an appearance. Are you prepared for the possibility that Velkhana might show up as an Elder Dragon Interception, making perfect logical sense? So nothing is truly off-limits, then?
Since its transition to online-only status more than a year ago, Monster Hunter has undergone significant growth, with the monster roster expanding dramatically from 14 to 46 creatures. Is this quantity more than three times the minimum required? While some may be considered variants, such as those in the Shibuya Carnival, we’ve acquired three distinct versions of each Rathian and Rathalos, including armor-specific ones that exhibit unique behavior and feeding patterns; for these reasons, I still categorize them as individual, distinct monsters.
It wasn’t until the Elder Dragons’ arrival that the community truly came to comprehend the magnitude of this activity. By the end of summer 2024, the formidable Elder Dragons began making their appearance, requiring significantly more challenging battles to conquer compared to their smaller counterparts. Already, we’ve witnessed the introduction of three Elder Dragons: Kushala Daora, Teostra, and the event-exclusive Nergigante, whose combat encounters are particularly enjoyable.
“The Elder Dragons’ significance extends far beyond their narrative importance in the Monster Hunter universe,” says Osumi, emphasizing their crucial role in the storyline. “To ensure a prudent approach, we carefully consider the timing before integrating new elements.”
The issue persists: Elder Dragon battles are notoriously complex, necessitating adjustments to the core Monster Hunter feature within the mobile app to ensure seamless integration, highlighting a persistent implementation challenge in this regard? While Niantic ponders how to incorporate the additional rare battles into its game, the approaches remain unclear; nonetheless, I envision the Dah’ren Mohran fight from Generation 4, where players must navigate within a mobile sand-sifter. In the intense battle against Zorah Magdaros in World, the primary adversaries are not other warriors but rather a formidable dwelling mountain.
As Osumi summarizes, “The real challenge lies in capturing these massive beasts and understanding what drives them; we’re still exploring that.” We’ll just have to wait and see how everything ultimately unfolds!
Color me excited. As the sport’s popularity continues to soar, the addition of more monster options only enhances the overall experience. If we’re lucky enough to land a Tetzsucabra, I’ll proudly wear that ridiculous armor without hesitation.
Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak is now available for mobile devices, offering an unparalleled hunting experience on-the-go for fans of the beloved franchise. The interview took place at the Monster Hunter Now Carnival Shibuya in Tokyo, with travel and accommodation expenses covered by Niantic.
