“We Placed Emphasis On The Story” – Monster Hunter Wilds’ Producer Says Game’s Least Liked Aspect Drove Popularity

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Summary

  • Monster Hunter Wilds is a massive success.
  • Series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto believes Wilds’ emphasis on story is responsible for the game’s success.
  • This is a surprising opinion since Wilds’ story is one of the most criticised aspects of the game.

Monster Hunter Wilds has proven to be a massive triumph for Capcom, receiving both critical acclaim and commercial success. The game reached nearly 1.4 million players just on Steam alone, and maintains an impressive average critic score of 89 on OpenCritic. Given the popularity of the series and the lengthy gap since the last mainline release, Monster Hunter: World in 2018, it’s safe to say that success was inevitable. However, the level of praise and player base that Wilds garnered may have taken even Capcom by surprise.

During a conversation with Nikkei (a Japanese media outlet, translated by Automaton), Capcom’s executive VP and Monster Hunter series creator, Ryozo Tsujimoto, attributed a significant part of Wilds’ extraordinary success to its compelling narrative.

Was Narrative The Strong Suit Of Monster Hunter Wilds?

Tsujimotu noted that they focused on enhancing the narrative with voice acting and creating a more immersive experience, while also enabling multiplayer sessions across various gaming platforms. However, some players might find this surprising given that many consider the storyline in Monster Hunter Wilds to be less engaging compared to other game features. Despite the appeal of characters like Gemma and Alma, the narrative often feels like a tool for teaching the basics of Wilds rather than a significant part of the game itself.

A recent Reddit post by Ruminatingsoule provides a clear example of this perspective, as they express, “I prefer to venture off on my own, admire scenic views, hunt lesser creatures, collect loot, but alas. I’m pulled back towards the slow-paced group, and reprimanded for it. It seems the developers overlooked that we might want this freedom. They seem to be treating players as if they are incompetent children. Let us enjoy the game, apparently.

As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed that while many of us appreciate the game, there are quite a few who feel that the story isn’t engaging enough and even distracts from the main appeal – monster hunting. This sentiment is echoed in Eric Switzer’s glowing 4.5/5 review, where he barely touches on the narrative, suggesting it’s not a significant factor for experienced players like myself.

It could be that Tsujimoto presents evidence for his statement, or it might be that he’s emphasizing one of Wilds’ latest attributes. Regardless of whether you admire or criticize the storyline aspects, a significant number of players are undoubtedly engaged in hunting monsters.

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2025-03-11 16:05