Monster Hunter Wilds directors reveal a whole new locale and ferocious monster to beat through an exclusive interview. Read on to find out more about the Oilwell Basin and its king, the Nu Udra.
Monster Hunter Wilds Introduces The Black Flame, Nu Udra
Welcome To Oilwell Basin
In an exclusive interview with IGN, Monster Hunter Wilds directors Yuya Tokuda and Kaname Fujioka introduce players to one of the areas they’ll be able to explore in the full game, the Oilwell Basin, as well as the gallant monster that rules over its lands, the Nu Udra.
Oilwell Basin stands out with its unique vertical structure, a departure from the series' typical horizontally expansive locales. "We had two horizontally broad locales in the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, so we decided to make the Oilwell Basin a vertically connected place. The deeper you go, the more magma-filled and hot it gets," explained Fujioka. He added that the top strata are primarily composed of oil-like swamps, creating a distinct "gradation" in its overall structure.
Tokuda elaborated that the area transforms during the event known as the Plenty. When you enter around the center or bottom level, the Oilwell Basin resembles an underwater volcano ecosystem. The team leveraged their experience from designing the Coral Highlands in Monster Hunter World to craft the Oilwell Basin's unique state. "During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke emerges from everywhere in the Oilwell Basin, resembling a volcano or hot spring. But during the Plenty, it adopts a clear, marine-like tone. If you look closely at the environmental biology, you'll discover it's a region inhabited by creatures you'd expect to find on the ocean bed," Tokuda noted.
These creatures are distinct and native to Oilwell Basin, enhancing the environment's uniqueness. Despite its seemingly lifeless appearance, the basin teems with a variety of monsters and creatures.
Nu Udra, The Black Flame
Every Monster Hunter locale has its apex predator, and the Oilwell Basin is no exception. It's home to the "Black Flame," Nu Udra. This massive, octopus-like monster has a slimy, flammable body adapted to its environment. It uses its slithering tentacles to capture prey before unleashing scorching flames, ensuring a fiery demise. With Rey Dau reigning over lightning in the Windward Plains and Uth Duna wielding water in the Scarlet Forest, Nu Udra completes the elemental trio with its fire affinity.
Nu Udra's design draws inspiration from octopuses, a choice Fujioka had long desired. "I’ve always wanted to add a tentacled creature at some point," he said. The team modified this aquatic creature to create a striking and demonic appearance, complete with horn-like elements on its head. The battle music further enhances this theme, incorporating phrases and instruments reminiscent of black magic. "We had the composers include elements reminiscent of black magic. I think it ended up being a unique and good piece of music," Tokuda added.
Battling Nu Udra is a formidable challenge, as it wields multiple tentacles and can execute both focused and area-of-effect attacks rapidly. It's immune to Flash Bombs, relying instead on its tentacles to sense its surroundings.
More Monsters In The Basin
Nu Udra isn't the only formidable creature in the Oilwell Basin. The huge, scaly, and monkey-like Ajarakan, covered in flames, also roams the area. It employs martial arts-inspired movements and frequently uses its fists in combat, blending massive physical strength with fiery power. Ajarakan is a thrilling addition to the Monster Hunter series.
Another intriguing inhabitant is the globular Rompopolo, characterized by its thin needles for a mouth and its use of toxic gases in battle. Its purple hue and glowing red eyes evoke the image of a mad scientist, a direct inspiration for its design. Despite its eerie appearance, Rompopolo's drops yield surprisingly "cute" equipment for both the Hunter and their Palico companion.
Even a familiar face returns to the Oilwell Basin: Gravios from Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. Its rocky carapace and fiery breath make it a fitting addition to this volcanic region. "When considering monsters that match the Oilwell Basin's environment and fit the game's progression without overlapping with other monsters, we thought Gravios could offer a fresh challenge," Tokuda explained.
With these exciting reveals, anticipation builds for the release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28th.
