Monster Hunter Wilds New Monster, Nu Udra of the Oilwell Basin, Revealed by Director

Monster Hunter Wilds: Unveiling the Oilwell Basin and its Fiery Inhabitants

Prepare for a volcanic adventure! In an exclusive interview with IGN, Monster Hunter Wilds directors Yuya Tokuda and Kaname Fujioka have unveiled the Oilwell Basin, a unique, vertically structured locale, and its fearsome inhabitants.

Delving into the Oilwell Basin

Unlike the series' typical horizontally expansive maps, the Oilwell Basin offers a layered challenge. Fujioka explains, "We had two horizontally broad locales…so we decided to make the Oilwell Basin a vertically connected place. The deeper you go, the more magma-filled and hot it gets." The upper levels are swampy oilfields, transitioning to a volcanic, almost underwater ecosystem at the lower depths, particularly during the "Plenty" event. This transformation, inspired by Monster Hunter World's Coral Highlands, introduces unique creatures reminiscent of deep-sea life.

Tokuda highlights the environmental shift during the "Plenty" event: "During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke comes out…like a volcano. But during the Plenty, it takes on a clear, marine-like tone…Look closely…and you'll find creatures you'd expect on the ocean bed." This unique biodiversity adds another layer of depth to the seemingly barren landscape.

Meet the Nu Udra: The Black Flame

The Oilwell Basin's apex predator is the Nu Udra, a colossal, octopus-like monster with a flammable, slimy body. Its powerful tentacles ensnare prey before unleashing devastating fire attacks. Fujioka reveals the design inspiration: "I’ve always wanted to add a tentacled creature…we thought of taking a normally aquatic creature and modifying them." The demonic aesthetic, complete with horn-like head protrusions and a fittingly ominous soundtrack, adds to its terrifying presence. Tokuda adds, "We had the composers include phrases…reminiscent of black magic."

The Nu Udra presents a formidable challenge, immune to Flash Bombs and capable of rapid-fire attacks, both targeted and area-of-effect.

More Than Just the Nu Udra

The Oilwell Basin is teeming with other formidable creatures. The Ajarakan, a fiery, ape-like monster, utilizes martial arts-inspired attacks. The Rompopolo, a bizarre, spiky, globular creature, employs toxic gases in combat, its design inspired by a mad scientist. Surprisingly, its rewards yield "cute" equipment.

A familiar face also returns: Gravio, from Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, makes a comeback, perfectly suited to the volcanic environment. Tokuda explains, "When we were thinking of monsters…we thought that we could make Gravios seem like a fresh challenge."

With these exciting reveals, the February 28th release of Monster Hunter Wilds is highly anticipated.