Monster Hunter Wilds’ Mascot Doesn’t Live Up To Nergigante’s Greatness

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In the world of Monster Hunter, the iconic Rathalos holds the top spot as the unofficial mascot, with monsters like Anjanath, Diablos, and Rajang following closely behind, along with the elder dragons. This leaves the game-specific mascots in a somewhat peculiar position, despite their prominent display on advertisements such as billboards and Taco Bell cups. Even though they are new and often play significant roles in the story, their importance can fluctuate between games.

As an example, it can be said that Arkveld, the emblematic character of Monster Hunter Wilds, has not been particularly successful. To clarify, I don’t dislike him at all. He’s a bit too elaborate in the style of late-generation Pokemon (he resembles Kommo-o), but his battles aren’t terrible and his fluffy equipment is quite stylish. Unfortunately, Arkveld isn’t a monster that I expect to remember fondly years from now. In truth, he ranks as one of the 15 coolest monsters within his own game itself. The irony lies in the fact that if you go back just one generation, you’ll find a genuine mascot monster that truly stands out. When it comes to top-tier mascots, none can compare to Nergigante – a character who thinks he’s the best of them all.

Nerg Is A Real One

Among all the monsters I’ve encountered, Nergigante stands out as my absolute favorite. His design is simply peerless, battles with him are unforgettable, and his lore is heavy with metal undertones that make him all the more intriguing. Often called the ‘angry hedgehog’, Nergigante is a monster that leaves an indelible mark, one that’s hard to match. He’s not just a monster; he’s a legend, a creature that transcends comparison. His terrifying presence is such that he consumes other elder dragons, thereby solidifying his position among the pantheon of elder dragons. He embodies the essence of a final boss, instilling genuine fear while hunting – which is exactly as it should be.

As a die-hard fan, it seems like Capcom poured their heart and soul into crafting Nergigante as the shining star of Monster Hunter World. From his distinct lumbering gait and unpredictable movements to the vulnerable spikes on his hide, not forgetting his epic theme tune and iconic dive bomb – Nergigante truly embodies what a flagship monster should be. But why doesn’t Arkveld share that same charm?

Arkveld Is Nergigante-lite

One issue with Arkveld is that he seems too similar to Nerg. Nergigante, a fearsome creature in the Elder Recess, targets and eliminates the deadliest elder dragons, absorbing their raw bioenergy to fuel his anger and amplify his strength. Creating a formidable adversary by preying on your deepest fears is an effective approach for constructing a boss monster, as it has been with Nergigante.

It appears that Arkveld and the monsters from Capcom might have similar roles, as they both seem to target the most powerful entities in their respective areas. However, Arkveld’s method of acquiring power is by consuming energy (wylk), which is less captivating compared to one monster preying on school bullies and another feeding off gods.

Could Nergigante Come Back?

In the Wilds, since Nergigante feeds on elder dragons and none exist there, one may assume that there’s no place for Nergigante. However, I believe there is a way; it will require some preparation or development of circumstances first.

One possibility could be: Beginning with a crafted Guardian Nergigante, an ancient protection against other elder dragons, once this entity is destroyed, elder dragons may start re-entering the Forbidden Lands gradually across various updates. Over time, these returning elder dragons would draw in additional Nergigante, causing further havoc within the ecosystem and increasing the OpenCritic score of the Wilds by 5 points immediately.

As a devoted follower of the Monster Hunter series, I can’t help but feel let down by the choice of Arkveld as the Wilds mascot. The mere fact that this creature is not powerful enough for Nergigante to hunt suggests a significant step back from the caliber of monsters we’ve come to expect.

While it’s not essential for Nergigante to star in every future Monster Hunter game, I had hoped that after introducing a monster as impressive and worthy as Nergigante in World, we would see a worthy successor. Instead, it seems we have one that doesn’t measure up to the task of headlining the next installment.

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2025-03-15 06:35