Fans of the Monster Hunter series have expressed mixed feelings about the weapon designs in Monster Hunter: World, often citing a lack of distinctiveness among the weapons. With the upcoming release of Monster Hunter Wilds, many have been curious about whether the new game will address these concerns. While we've only seen a limited number of weapons from Wilds, it hasn't been enough to fully assess the overall design philosophy—until now. Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda has provided clarity on this matter.

In a recent discussion about the Hope series armor and weapons, Tokuda stated: "Incidentally, weapon designs in Monster Hunter: World generally retained a certain form, but they featured a customized appearance based on which monster materials were used. However, in Wilds, each weapon has its own unique design."

This direct comparison to the weapon designs in Monster Hunter: World clearly answers the question—players need not worry about weapons looking too similar in Monster Hunter Wilds. Although some weapons in Monster Hunter: World eventually upgraded to unique designs, many did not. For instance, the final aqua line Sword and Shield closely resembles the final Pukei-Pukei Sword and Shield, and the final bone line Long Sword is very similar to the final Jyuratodus Long Sword. These were the most upgraded versions available at the launch of Monster Hunter: World.

In contrast, the weapons showcased so far in Monster Hunter Wilds are undeniably unique, as you can see in the slideshow below.

Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons

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We discovered this detail while discussing Monster Hunter Wilds' innovative approach to starting weapons and the Hope series gear. We also unveiled brand-new concept art of the striking Hope armor and weapons, so be sure not to miss it! Additionally, don't forget to check out our in-depth interview about the Oilwell Basin and its inhabitants, including the locale's Apex, The Black Flame, named Nu Udra.

Monster Hunter Wilds is set to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on February 28. For more insights, explore our exclusive 4K gameplay videos featuring hunts of Ajarakan and Rompopolo, our interview with the development team on the evolution of Monster Hunter over the years, and details on the game's delectable food system. Keep an eye out for more exclusive content throughout January as part of IGN First!