Monster Hunter Wilds Cut a 21-Year-Old Tradition and I’m Still Sad

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In a simpler and more conversational manner:

The game “Monster Hunter Wilds” is considered the most welcoming addition to the series, boasting numerous improvements to mechanics that make it a solid continuation. However, some aspects seem to have been left behind during development. While “Wilds” may not replicate the exact experience from the franchise’s early days, it has introduced many delightful enhancements to gameplay. Besides visual upgrades and quality of life improvements, there are now more ways to enjoy what makes “Monster Hunter” enjoyable in “Wilds“, though this may have come at the expense of preserving some of its unique characteristics.

In terms of alterations to Monster Hunter Wilds, not all have been universally appreciated. However, it’s good news that the collaboration event culture is persisting in the new version, albeit with some departures. Remarkably, Wilds has already begun to incorporate its first crossover content, due for release at the end of May. Although I eagerly anticipate what Capcom plans for Wilds moving forward, there’s one aspect from the original series that I still yearn for, despite the passage of months post-release.

I Still Miss The Monster Hunter Language In Wilds

Helping To Build Immersion In Wilds’ Unique Game World

As a dedicated Monster Hunter gamer, I’ve always appreciated the distinctive blend the franchise offers when it comes to world-building. The creatures populating this fantastical realm are remarkably grounded and meticulously detailed, which sets the game apart with a distinct identity. Although it doesn’t directly impact the actual gameplay, the one-of-a-kind language crafted for Monster Hunter significantly contributes to the game world’s authenticity. I eagerly await its return in future updates for Wilds, but as of now, there’s been no word on whether it will make an appearance or not.

In simpler terms, even though I didn’t find the lack of unique language in Monster Hunter affecting my gameplay, it felt odd given how much Wilds appears to be influenced by previous installments in the series. Unlike Monster Hunter World, which aimed to appeal to newcomers by standing alone, Wilds openly includes characters like Genma the Smithee, whose roots go back over a decade. With numerous references and monsters being directly taken from popular entries such as Monster Hunter 4, omitting the long-standing feature seems like a significant missed chance.

Cutting The Monster Hunter Language Wasn’t Necessary

A Strange Choice For A Game With So Much Player Freedom

As a gamer, I’ve learned that in Monster Hunter Wilds, the developers at Capcom decided to eliminate the original language due to their emphasis on enhancing storytelling and dialogue. While I can appreciate their reasoning, it doesn’t stop me from feeling a bit disappointed about losing the option to choose my preferred language. It seems like new players or those more interested in the narrative will probably opt for their preferred language, while long-time series fans might stick with the Monster Hunter language.

Although earlier versions of the Monster Hunter series primarily used basic sounds and phrases, this shifted significantly with Monster Hunter World, introducing fully developed cutscenes and extended dialogues. Watching these cutscenes from World now, it can be argued that the fragmented nature of the Monster Hunter language might hinder a more subtle acting delivery. However, the unique and quirky dialogue in the series was a key part of its endearing appeal.

While enhancing the narrative of the character “Wilds” resulted in one of the most compelling protagonists for Monster Hunter, it seems excessive to eliminate this improved storyline from the game entirely. This is particularly true when considering that some players might find an immersive experience in non-default languages. Considering the abundant fan-service within Wilds, including the character’s language, it would have been a delightful addition to allow players to continue using it in the game, albeit with a disclaimer indicating it’s not the intended way to experience Wilds’ storyline.

Even Gibberish Can Mean A Lot

NPC Dialogue Has Left Me Wanting More From Wilds’ Language Options

It’s good to know that Monster Hunter Wilds hasn’t completely phased out the traditional Monster Hunter language. Instead, it’s confined to overheard conversations between NPCs and background characters in base camps. You might hear it as clearly as if spoken during daytime. Admittedly, it seems peculiar for this language to persist in a background form, given that it’s been removed from the sound settings. But for now, I’m grateful to have any traces of it at all.

There’s a possibility that the game Monster Hunter Wilds might offer additional language packs as downloadable content at some point in the future, given that Capcom has been providing old themes and decorations from previous games as DLC. Personally, I wouldn’t opt for this feature myself, but it would be great if players who yearn to revisit the series’ golden age could do so with this option available.

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2025-04-21 04:59