The gaming community erupted with excitement today as Capcom unveiled a significant change in its upcoming game, Monster Hunter Wilds. The current top post on the Monster Hunter subreddit, boasting nearly 4,000 upvotes, simply titled ‘We Defeated Gender,’ hints at this revolutionary update: for the first time ever, armor designs will no longer be restricted by the character’s gender.
Breaking the Mold
Historically, Monster Hunter games have maintained distinct armor designs for male and female characters. During an hour-long livestreamed presentation at Gamescom, Capcom’s developers confirmed, “In previous Monster Hunter games, male and female armor were separate… I’m happy to confirm that in Monster Hunter Wilds, there’s no more male and female armor. All characters can wear any gear.” This landmark announcement means players can now select any armor design regardless of their character’s gender, ushering in a new era of customization and equality.
Impact on Gameplay and Community
The Monster Hunter series is renowned for its intricate gameplay loop, which involves repeatedly facing formidable beasts to gather materials for crafting superior gear. The armor, historically, retained its stats across genders but differed in physical appearance, often leading to dissatisfaction among players. Male armor typically featured bulkier designs, while female sets often exposed more skin. Fans who admired the aesthetic of certain armor sets but played characters of the opposite gender faced limitations—until now. The changes introduced in Monster Hunter Wilds abolish these restrictions, promising a more inclusive gaming experience.
What This Means for Players
For the first time, hunters can flaunt their chosen designs without compromising their desired character build. This enhancement also eliminates the need for character edit vouchers, which were necessary in earlier games like Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter: Rise to switch character genders. While players might still need to purchase vouchers for other reasons, one major incentive has been removed. Moreover, the ‘layered armor’ system is expected to return, allowing players to display one armor type visually while retaining another’s stats beneath the surface.
Conclusion
As Monster Hunter Wilds prepares for its release next year, the Monster Hunter community is eagerly gearing up to showcase their personalized hunting fashion. Capcom’s community manager Jonno Stanton humorously remarked during the stream, “Fashion game is officially the endgame.” With these transformative changes on the horizon, Monster Hunter Wilds is set to revolutionize player customization and reinvigorate the franchise.
