A Lot Hinges on Monster Hunter Wilds’ Hub World Accessibility

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A Lot Hinges on Monster Hunter Wilds' Hub World Accessibility

Highlights

  • Monster Hunter Wilds will focus on dynamic environments and adaptive monsters.
  • Accessing hub world services is easier in Iceborne’s Seliana compared to World’s Astera.
  • Wilds must now aim to improve hub world accessibility based on the efficiency seen in Seliana.

As a seasoned Monster Hunter veteran with countless hours under my belt, I can confidently say that the hub world efficiency shown in Iceborne’s Seliana is nothing short of a game-changer. The labyrinthine mess that was Astera in World feels like a distant memory now.

A limited number of specifics have been disclosed about the content of Monster Hunter Wilds beyond its classic hunting and gathering gameplay, and what has been revealed so far is captivating. Notably, Monster Hunter Wilds is emphasizing the adaptability and potential rapid transformation of its environments, with monsters and other world elements responding to these changes. However, there’s also a lot we don’t know yet about Monster Hunter Wilds, such as the design of the player’s main base and how it compares to or improves upon the one in Monster Hunter World.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but admit that mastering every nook and cranny of the Monster Hunter series takes time and effort. Navigating the intricate mechanics of a new installment like World can be challenging, with the layout of the hub alone being a complex puzzle when you consider all those NPCs offering various services. But here’s the good news: the accessibility of the Wilds’ hub world is likely to be intuitive right from the start, and this is evident by comparing Astera from World to Seliana in Iceborne. Despite being part of the same game, the differences between these two hub worlds are significant, suggesting that the developers have made strides towards improving user-friendliness.

Monster Hunter World’s Astera is a Labyrinth Stretched Thin

Asteria has a cozy, harmonious vibe reminiscent of a well-oiled team, yet navigating it isn’t particularly pleasurable. The elevators help reduce the need for running up and down long, labyrinthine staircases, but even brief loading screens at every trip feel tedious.

In this game, Astera is rather compact, leading Capcom to space out all its features extensively. This means that moving around and completing tasks can take a significant amount of time. For example, you might accept a quest at the board near the expedition gate by the tradeyard, then head over to the Botanical Research area to collect harvests from the Chief Botanist before upgrading something at the Smithy, grabbing a bite to eat at the Canteen, and so on. Each step in this process can feel quite lengthy.

Absolutely, most essential items for players during their time in Astera are accessible through the Gathering Hub itself. This includes the Resource Center where players can submit bounties or hand over items after completing a hunt.

As a seasoned Monster Hunter: World player with countless hours spent exploring the vast and diverse landscapes of Astera, I can attest to the fact that the Gathering Hub is indeed situated atop the highest point of this bustling outpost. However, traversing all the way up there from Astera can sometimes feel like a tedious chore, especially when you’re in a hurry or simply want to get to the services quickly.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne’s Seliana is a Hub World Perfected

In Seliana, most important Non-Player Characters (NPCs) or vendors can be found just beyond an arm’s length from the central expedition gate. The services offered are mostly within a half-circle around the player, making it easy for them to access everything they need without having to travel far. However, there are a few exceptions like the Smithy, Steamworks, and Tailraider Safari, which are just a short walk away from the central area.

Upon Seliana’s arrival, there will be little need to revisit Astera for casual or leisurely purposes. The high level of efficiency that Wilds aspires to achieve is evident in this design. It remains intriguing to discover whether Wilds immediately offers a hub as accessible as Seliana or requires players to progress and unlock additional post-launch expansions first. Regardless, Seliana should serve as the blueprint for hub worlds in the Monster Hunter series going forward.

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2024-08-12 23:33