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 shed light on a new locale and its fearsome inhabitants. Get ready to explore the Oilwell Basin and conquer its fiery overlord, the Nu Udra.

Delving into the Oilwell Basin

Unlike the series' typically expansive horizontal environments, the Oilwell Basin boasts a unique vertical structure. Fujioka explains, "We had two horizontally broad locales already, so we opted for a vertically connected design. The deeper you venture, the hotter and more magma-filled it becomes." The upper levels feature oil-slick swamps, leading to a dramatic shift in environment as you descend.

Tokuda adds another layer of complexity: the Basin transforms during the "Plenty" event. Lower levels resemble an underwater volcanic ecosystem, drawing inspiration from Monster Hunter World's Coral Highlands. "During Fallow and Inclemency, it's smoky and volcanic. But during Plenty, it's clear and marine-like. The unique creatures reflect this underwater habitat." This diverse ecosystem, while seemingly barren at first glance, teems with unique life.

Nu Udra: The Black Flame Reign

The Oilwell Basin's apex predator, the Nu Udra, is a formidable foe. This massive, octopus-like creature boasts a flammable, slimy body, using its tentacles to ensnare prey before unleashing devastating fire attacks. Complementing the Windward Plains' Rey Dau (lightning) and the Scarlet Forest's Uth Duna (water), Nu Udra completes a fiery trifecta.

Fujioka reveals the design inspiration: "I always wanted a tentacled creature. We took an aquatic creature and modified it for a striking look, aiming for a demonic aesthetic." Horn-like features enhance this demonic appearance, further emphasized by its battle music, which evokes black magic. Tokuda notes, "The composers incorporated black magic-inspired instruments and phrases, resulting in a unique and impactful soundtrack."

Nu Udra presents a significant challenge, employing both focused and area-of-effect attacks with its numerous tentacles. Its immunity to Flash Bombs adds another layer of difficulty, as it relies on touch rather than sight to hunt.

More Than Just Nu Udra

The Oilwell Basin isn't solely ruled by Nu Udra. The Ajarakan, a fiery, monkey-like monster, utilizes martial arts-inspired attacks. Its blend of brute strength and fire power is a terrifying addition to the Monster Hunter roster.

The Rompopolo, a globular creature with needle-like mouthparts, employs toxic gas attacks. Its purple hue and glowing red eyes create a menacing, mad-scientist aesthetic. The developers describe it as a "tricky monster," but its rewards yield surprisingly "cute" equipment.

A familiar face also returns: Gravio, from Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, makes a comeback, fitting seamlessly into the volcanic landscape. Tokuda explains, "Considering the environment, game progression, and avoiding similarity to other monsters, Gravio offered a fresh challenge."

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