Nu Udra: Apex Predator of Oilwell Basin - Monster Hunter Wilds Interview

From dry deserts to bustling forests, blazing volcanos, and even frozen tundra, the Monster Hunter series offers a variety of environments, each with its own unique ecosystem shaped by a diverse array of monsters. The thrill of exploring unknown lands and hunting in them is a cornerstone of the Monster Hunter experience.

This is especially true in Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest installment in the franchise. After exploring the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, hunters venture into the harsh terrain of the Oilwell Basin, a region engulfed in flames and oilsilt. Here, paths are obstructed by dripping oil and flowing magma, yet beneath this seemingly barren landscape, small creatures can be seen wriggling in the mire. Scattered throughout the area are remnants of what appears to be an ancient civilization.

Yuya Tokuda, the director of both Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Wilds, provides insight into the Oilwell Basin:

"During the Fallow, the Oilwell Basin is filled with mud and oil. When the Inclemency known as the Firespring occurs, it burns away the oilsilt, and during the Plenty, the burned oil and soot dissipate, revealing the minerals, microorganisms, and the original colors of the manmade artifacts hidden beneath," he explains.

Down in the Muck

We asked Kaname Fujioka, the director of the original *Monster Hunter* and executive director and art director for *Wilds*, about the concept behind the Oilwell Basin's design.

"We wanted to create a vertically connected environment, unlike the horizontally expansive Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest," he says. "As you move from the top to the middle and bottom strata, the environment changes. Sunlight reaches the top where oil accumulates like mud, and the deeper you go, the hotter it gets, with lava and other substances."

Tokuda adds, "From the middle to bottom strata, you'll encounter creatures reminiscent of aquatic life, similar to those found in deep seas or near underwater volcanoes. In World, we envisioned the Coral Highlands as a place where aquatic creatures could live on the surface. We applied this knowledge to craft the Oilwell Basin's ecosystem and its inhabitants.

The Oilwell Basin transforms from a blazing, barren wasteland during the Fallow and Inclemency to a vibrant area during the Plenty. Fujioka hopes players will appreciate this stark contrast.

"During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke rises from the Oilwell Basin, resembling a volcano or hot spring," he notes. "But during the Plenty, it adopts a clear, marine-like tone. By examining the environmental biology closely, you'll find creatures typical of ocean beds."

The Oilwell Basin's ecosystem is distinct from other locales. While it may appear lifeless when covered in oilsilt, it teems with life, from shrimp and crabs to small monsters that provide raw meat. Large monsters feed on these smaller ones, which in turn consume microorganisms from the environment and oilsilt. These microorganisms derive energy from geothermal sources. If the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest rely on sunlight and vegetation, the Oilwell Basin is an environment powered by geothermal energy.

The large monsters of the Oilwell Basin are unique. One such creature is Rompopolo, a globular monster with a needle-like mouth that emits toxic gas. Fujioka explains its design:

"We designed Rompopolo as a tricky monster that thrives in swamps and disrupts players with its stored toxic gas," he says. "The idea of a mad scientist inspired its purple color and glowing red eyes. The equipment crafted from Rompopolo is surprisingly cute, as is its Palico gear."

Tokuda describes the Rompopolo Palico equipment as "amusing," a sentiment I shared after trying it myself. I encourage players to craft and experience it.

Flames of Ajarakan

Another notable monster in the Oilwell Basin is Ajarakan, a gorilla-like creature enveloped in flames, yet with a slimmer silhouette compared to the Scarlet Forest's Congalala.

Videos show Rompopolo and Ajarakan battling for territory, with Ajarakan using its arms to give Rompopolo a bear hug. Its martial arts-inspired movements emphasize its fists, adding a unique charm to this fanged beast.

"Typically, fanged beasts have low hips, placing their heads at eye level with hunters, which can make them seem less threatening," Tokuda notes. "We designed Ajarakan with a more top-heavy silhouette to emphasize its menace. We incorporated flame elements and wrestler-like grabbing attacks to highlight its physical strength. It combines strength, physical attacks, and flames, like its attack where it melts something and throws it at you."

Fujioka adds, "With so many unique monsters, we wanted to introduce one whose strengths are straightforward. Ajarakan's attacks are simple yet powerful, like punching or slamming its fists to create flames."

Ajarakan holds a high position in the Oilwell Basin's ecosystem. Compared to Rompopolo, which uses poison gas and oilsilt, Ajarakan stands out with its fiery appearance and magma-infused attacks, clearly defining the area's hierarchy.

"At first, Ajarakan was just a physically powerful monster," Fujioka says. "We wanted to give it more personality. It's in a fiery location, so we used flames and heat, but not in a simple way. We designed it to seem as if it's wearing flames, inspired by the Buddhist deity Acala. The idea of its rising internal temperature giving it the power to melt anything added depth to its character. We wanted players to avoid its hot embraces, which can melt anything around it."

Unlike the cunning Rompopolo, Ajarakan's design emphasizes straightforward power. To avoid a lack of flair, Fujioka says the team continuously added more dynamic moves throughout development.

"We kept adding interesting techniques, like it jumping into the air, curling up, and then slamming down," he says.

A Monster Generations in the Making

Dominating the Oilwell Basin's ecosystem as its apex predator with octopus-like tentacles is the "Black Flame," now named Nu Udra. With its slimy body coated in flammable oil, it stretches and wriggles throughout the area. Just as Rey Dau controls lightning in the Windward Plains and Uth Duna envelops itself in water in the Scarlet Forest, Nu Udra is cloaked in flames. The developers designed apex predators in Wilds to embody their region's elemental essence. The choice of an octopus in such a hot environment might seem odd, but Fujioka confirms:

"Yes, it was inspired by octopuses. We wanted its silhouette to be striking when it rises, giving it demonic horns, yet making its face ambiguous."

Tokuda mentions that the music during Nu Udra battles reflects demonic imagery.

"We asked the composers to include phrases and instruments reminiscent of black magic. It resulted in a unique and fitting piece of music."

Nu Udra's tentacle movements echo those of Lagiacrus from Monster Hunter Tri. Both Tokuda and Fujioka have long desired to bring such a concept to life.

"One of the concepts for Tri was underwater combat, and I proposed an octopus-shaped monster with distinctive underwater movements," Tokuda recalls. "I had fun with ideas like severable tentacles, but technical challenges prevented it at the time. I've held onto that proposal all these years."

Previous monsters like Yama Tsukami and Nakarkos, which used tentacles, influenced Nu Udra's development.

"We're always interested in using such monsters in standout moments," Fujioka says. "While too many unique monsters can tire players, one at the right moment leaves a strong impression. Yama Tsukami's appearance in Monster Hunter 2 (Dos), floating over the mountains in a deep forest, evoked a sense of adventure."

Tokuda adds nostalgically, "I placed Yama Tsukami there. Though technology limited its actions then, we wanted it to leave an impression."

The interview reveals the Monster Hunter team's dedication and innovative approach to monster creation. Even when current technology can't support their ideas, they store them for future use. Nu Udra's realization represents a major achievement for Tokuda and Fujioka.

"While Yama Tsukami and Nakarkos were stationary, Nu Udra uses its cephalopod traits to move freely, introducing new gameplay elements," Fujioka explains.

"Monsters with tentacles pose technical challenges, but our tests during Wilds' development went well, making this possible," he continues.

"Seeing the tests, we decided to make Nu Udra the apex predator of the Oilwell Basin," Tokuda adds. "It's a significant accomplishment to bring this idea to life."

Nu Udra's animations were meticulously crafted. When weakened, it wraps around ancient pipes to navigate the terrain and enters small holes effortlessly. Fujioka's team faced challenges depicting its flexible body.

"We worked hard on Nu Udra's flexible body animations," he says. "We challenge ourselves with ambitious ideas, and though it's tough for our artists, the final product is stunning when we succeed."

"When we first implemented its movement into a hole, an animator eagerly showed me. Their satisfaction when I praised it was memorable," Tokuda recalls.

"It might be hard to see, but the way Nu Udra squirms around pipes is impressive," Fujioka adds. "Only games can depict such real-time action. It's a testament to our team's efforts."

Fujioka's pride in Wilds' detailed monsters and the team's work is evident.

Facing Nu Udra is challenging. Its flexible body makes finding openings difficult, and getting too close risks a powerful counterattack. Breaking a tentacle part results in it thrashing on the ground. Can all its tentacles be severed?

"You can cut off many tentacles," Tokuda explains. "They move after being severed but eventually rot. Carving rotten parts yields poor materials. The same applies to other monsters' breakable parts."

"Nu Udra uses its tentacles for various attacks, with a unique tempo combining focused and area-of-effect attacks using its head and flames. We wanted it to feel like a barrage from a massive monster. Its sensory organs at the tentacle tips use light to indicate attacks, which helps in multiplayer scenarios."

Nu Udra's sensory organs emit light during certain attacks, but since it doesn't rely on vision, Flash Bombs are ineffective.

To defeat Nu Udra, Tokuda suggests, "Its body is soft with many breakable parts. Hunters should strategize their attacks. Cutting tentacles reduces its area-of-effect attacks, making movement easier. It's ideal for multiplayer, as targets are split. Using SOS flares and Support Hunters can enhance the experience."

Fujioka adds, "Like Gravios, where you discover its weaknesses by breaking its armor, Nu Udra's design fits Monster Hunter's action game approach, where understanding a monster's movements aids in defeating it."

A Welcome Reunion

Fujioka mentions Gravios, which hasn't appeared since Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. In the Oilwell Basin, players can encounter this monster with its rocky carapace and hot gas emissions, perfectly suited to the environment.

Tokuda explains the decision to bring back Gravios:

"When considering monsters for the Oilwell Basin that fit the game's progression and aren't too similar to others, we thought Gravios could offer a fresh challenge."

The Gravios in Wilds has an even harder body than before. Its massive presence is striking compared to other Oilwell Basin monsters. Attacking its rocky carapace and forming red wounds allows for Focus Strikes.

"When adapting Gravios, we wanted to maintain its hardness," Tokuda says. "We also wanted it to appear later in the game, after players have experienced its design elements. It's a monster where hunters must discover how to defeat its hard body through the wound system and part breaking."

All Monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds

17 ImagesIf Gravios is returning, what about its juvenile form, Basarios? Fujioka responds, "Sorry, but Basarios won't be in this game." It seems the timing isn't right for Basarios, and we'll have to wait longer to see it again.

As the Monster Hunter team explained in their interview about monster selection, decisions to include monsters are made carefully to ensure they enhance the game. Basarios was likely excluded after thorough discussion. While disappointing, many other monsters will appear in the Oilwell Basin, and I eagerly await the chance to hunt there, Cool Drink in hand.