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, along with its dominant monster, the Nu Udra.Oilwell Basin stands out with its vertical structure, a departure from the series' usual horizontally expansive locales. "We already 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 venture, the hotter and more magma-filled it becomes," Fujioka explained. He added that the upper layers are characterized by oil-like swamps, creating a unique "gradation" throughout the area.
Tokuda elaborated that the area transforms during the event known as the Plenty. Entering around the center or bottom level, it resembles an underwater volcanic ecosystem, drawing inspiration from the Coral Highlands of Monster Hunter World. "During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke emerges from various parts of the Oilwell Basin, resembling a volcano or hot spring. However, during the Plenty, it shifts to a clear, marine-like ambiance. If you look closely at the environmental biology, you'll discover it's home to creatures typical of the ocean floor," he said.
This environment is teeming with unique and native creatures, making the Oilwell Basin a truly distinct location despite its seemingly lifeless appearance.
Nu Udra, The Black Flame
Every Monster Hunter locale has its apex predator, and the Oilwell Basin is no exception. Meet the "Black Flame," Nu Udra, a massive, octopus-like monster whose body is coated in a flammable, slimy substance derived from its environment. Nu Udra uses its slithering tentacles to ensnare prey before incinerating them with scorching flames. Complementing the lightning-wielding Rey Dau of the Windward Plains and the water-manipulating Uth Duna of the Scarlet Forest, Nu Udra rounds out the trio with its fiery prowess.
Fujioka shared that the inspiration behind Nu Udra was to introduce a tentacled creature, transforming a typically aquatic species into something more striking. "I’ve always wanted to add a tentacled creature at some point," he said. The design also incorporates a "demonic" aesthetic, complete with horn-like elements on its head. The battle against Nu Udra is accompanied by unique music, featuring elements reminiscent of black magic and demonic imagery. "We had the composers include phrases and musical instruments reminiscent of black magic. I think it ended up being a unique and good piece of music," Tokuda added.
Fighting Nu Udra is a formidable challenge due to its numerous tentacles and ability to unleash 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 Ajarakan, a large, scaly, monkey-like monster covered in flames, also roams these lands. It employs martial arts-inspired movements and powerful punches, blending immense physical strength with fiery attacks.
Another intriguing resident is the Rompopolo, a globular monster with a needle-like mouth that expels toxic gases. Its eerie purple hue and glowing red eyes give it a menacing, mad scientist-like appearance. The developers drew inspiration from the mad scientist archetype in creating Rompopolo, describing it as a "tricky monster." Despite its unsettling features, Rompopolo's drops can be crafted into surprisingly "cute" equipment for both Hunters and their Palico companions.
A familiar face also returns to the Oilwell Basin: Gravios from Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. Its rocky carapace and fiery breath make it a fitting inhabitant of this volcanic region. "When considering monsters that match the Oilwell Basin's environment and fit within the game's progression without overlapping too much with other monsters, we thought Gravios would offer a fresh challenge," Tokuda explained.
With these exciting reveals, anticipation is building for the release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28th.
