Monster Hunter Wilds' Weapon Designs Unveiled

It's no secret that fans were underwhelmed by the weapon designs in Monster Hunter: World, sparking curiosity about whether Monster Hunter Wilds would follow a similar approach. While we've glimpsed several weapons from Wilds, the sample size hasn't been substantial enough to draw firm conclusions about their overall design direction—until now. Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda has provided definitive clarification on this matter.

When discussing the Hope series armor and weapons, Tokuda explained: "In Monster Hunter: World, weapon designs generally maintained a base form with customized appearances based on monster materials. However, Wilds features completely unique designs for every weapon."

This direct comparison to Monster Hunter: World's approach clearly addresses fan concerns—we won't see weapons with overly similar designs in Monster Hunter Wilds. While some weapons in Monster Hunter: World eventually evolved into unique variants through upgrades, many weapon lines never received that treatment. The image below illustrates how even final upgraded versions of weapons like the aquatic Sword and Shield closely resembled the final Pukei-Pukei version, or how the bone long sword mirrored the Jyuratodus variant in appearance.

Now contrast those with the weapon designs we've seen from Monster Hunter Wilds in the slideshow below. Each one demonstrates unmistakably distinct and original craftsmanship.

Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Showcase

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We uncovered these design revelations while examining Monster Hunter Wilds' innovative approach to starter weapons and the Hope gear series, featuring exclusive concept art of the strikingly stylish Hope armor set. Don't miss this exciting preview! Also be sure to explore our in-depth interview about the mysterious Oilwell Basin and its inhabitants, including the region's apex predator known as The Black Flame (Nu Udra).

Monster Hunter Wilds launches February 28 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more exclusive content, dive into our 4K gameplay footage showcasing hunts against Ajarakan and Rompopolo, our developer interview about the franchise's evolution, and details about the revamped cooking mechanics. Stay tuned for additional IGN First exclusives throughout January!