Monster Hunter's narrative, often overlooked due to its straightforward nature, deserves a closer examination. This deep dive explores the underlying themes and stories woven into the gameplay.
← Return to Monster Hunter Wilds' main article
Monster Hunter's Evolving Narrative
The Monster Hunter series isn't primarily known for its narrative focus. Many dismiss its story due to its mission-based structure, where gameplay revolves around quests chosen or assigned to the player.
But is it truly that simple? Is Monster Hunter merely a series of hunts driven by monetary gain, fashion, or sport? Let's delve into the mainline series' narratives to uncover a deeper meaning.
The Hunter's Journey
Most Monster Hunter games share a similar structure: a novice Hunter accepts quests, gradually progressing to hunt increasingly powerful monsters, ultimately becoming the village's top-ranked Hunter.
This progression, defeating stronger monsters and culminating in a final boss battle (e.g., Fatalis in Monster Hunter 1), forms the core gameplay loop. While newer entries enhance storytelling, this fundamental structure persists. However, titles like World, Rise, and their expansions offer more cohesive narratives.
Maintaining Ecological Balance
The series explores the Hunter's role as a force maintaining ecological balance. Monster Hunter 4 (MH4), for example, features the Gore Magala and its Frenzy Virus, a disease that increases monster aggression, threatening the ecosystem's stability. Defeating the Gore Magala becomes crucial for restoring balance.
However, Monster Hunter: World and Iceborne present a more nuanced perspective. The endings suggest that while humans bear responsibility for ecological balance, they still have much to learn about natural processes.
Iceborne reveals Nergigante as a natural force of balance, challenging the human-centric view. While Nergigante's role might seem underwhelming, it perfectly encapsulates the game's theme of ecological equilibrium.
The base game portrays the Hunter as a "Sapphire Star," a guiding light for the Research Commission, reflecting the in-game creation myth, "The Tale of the Five." This implies the Commission's acceptance of its role as nature's guardian, guided by the Hunter.
Iceborne's ending contrasts this, highlighting the Commission's need for further understanding of nature's resilience, even without human intervention. This juxtaposition emphasizes nature's adaptability and survival beyond human influence.
The Hunter's Impact: A Mirror to the Monsters
The Gore Magala's evolution into Shagaru Magala mirrors the Hunter's equipment upgrades and repeated confrontations. This suggests that monsters also learn and adapt to the Hunter's strategies.
Ahtal-Ka, the final boss of Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, exemplifies this. Its unique mechanical creation, the Ahtal-Neset, and its use of Hunter-like weaponry reflect the monsters' adaptation to the Hunter's ingenuity. Ahtal-Ka's combat style even foreshadows the Silkbind moves in Monster Hunter Rise.
The Personal Narrative: Man vs. Wild
Ultimately, Monster Hunter is about the player's personal journey of growth and overcoming challenges. The initial encounter with the Tigrex in Monster Hunter Freedom 2, where the Hunter is defeated, sets the stage for this personal narrative.
Later encounters with the same monster highlight the Hunter's progress and the satisfaction of overcoming initial setbacks. This personal narrative resonates with players, creating a memorable experience.
While newer games incorporate more explicit storylines, the core gameplay loop continues to foster a personal narrative. The series successfully blends engaging gameplay with thematic depth, creating a unique and rewarding experience for players.
