Monster Hunter Wilds' Monster Mash: FFXIV, Witcher 3 Crossovers Revealed

Monster Hunter Wilds: A Legacy Forged in Crossovers

Monster Hunter Wilds boasts numerous improvements and new features, but its development was subtly shaped by earlier crossover events in Monster Hunter World. Specifically, collaborations with Final Fantasy XIV and The Witcher 3 directly influenced key gameplay elements.

Naoki Yoshida, director of Final Fantasy XIV, suggested a change to the heads-up display (HUD) during their crossover collaboration. This led to the inclusion of attack names displayed on-screen in real-time, a feature initially glimpsed in the Behemoth fight from the FFXIV crossover. The "Jump" emote, also inspired by FFXIV's Dragoon class, further demonstrates this influence.

The positive player response to the Witcher 3 crossover solidified the decision to incorporate more dialogue options and a speaking protagonist into Monster Hunter Wilds. The Witcher 3 collaboration served as a successful test, showcasing the potential for a more narrative-driven experience. The voiceless protagonist of previous Monster Hunter titles gave way to a fully voiced character capable of engaging in conversations with NPCs.

The success of the Witcher 3 collaboration, where players controlled the speaking Geralt of Rivia, provided valuable data on player reception to dialogue choices. This directly influenced the decision to feature a speaking protagonist and expanded dialogue options in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Director Yuya Tokuda's foresight and proactive approach to incorporating player feedback from these collaborations significantly shaped Monster Hunter Wilds' design, resulting in a richer and more engaging gameplay experience. These insights, gained during the Monster Hunter World crossovers, demonstrate the value of player feedback and collaborative development in shaping future installments. For a deeper dive into Monster Hunter Wilds, explore IGN First's exclusive coverage, including gameplay previews and interviews.