When it comes to the long-running and beloved Monster Hunter series, what are your favourite things about it? Could it be the monster design? The varied combat and weapons? Or something else entirely. The latest entry, Monster Hunter Wilds, is currently basking in impressive success, and according to Capcom‘s Ryozo Tsujimoto, the mastermind behind the series, the storytelling is the key factor.
Having sold over 8 million copies in just three days, Tsujimoto shared his theory on what has made that landmark milestone possible. In an interview with The Nikkei (via Automaton), he identified three main reasons behind the game’s success:
- A strong focus on storytelling
- The inclusion of cross-play support
- A more immersive experience through full voice acting
Whether this is based on his own learnings or from actual player data is not clear. Having cross-play support definitely helps, as players from different platforms can get together to hunt. However, the series has never emphasised narrative or voice acting, even if Monster Hunter Wilds does so more intently.
From our time spent with the game for review and beyond, it is evidently clear that the developers wanted to ensure that the hunting is more interwoven with the overall story they are trying to tell. It probably doesn’t hurt to do so, since it can incentivise players looking for more engagement to stay in the long-term hunt.
Monster Hunter Wilds follows an expedition into the eastern territories, a land once believed to be uninhabited, known as the Forbidden Lands. However, explorers soon discover that this region is not only home to massive monsters but also hidden mysteries and ancient technology. The hunt unfolds alongside a cast of intriguing supporting characters, adding further depth to the adventure.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
