Monster Hunter Wilds finally acknowledges the series most horrifying lore

Monster Hunter Wilds finally acknowledges one of the darkest and most brutal concepts ever created by Capcom, and series fans will be left shocked.  

The Monster Hunter franchise has always been very subtle when it comes to its lore, with brief mentions of ancient civilizations, long-forgotten ruins, and grizzly armor descriptions making up the bulk of its world-building. 

However, since the release of Monster Hunter World and its latest release – Wilds, Capcom has been keen to put a heavier emphasis on storytelling. While I found the lost little boy narrative dull and couldn’t wait to get back into fighting the game’s monolithic roster, there was one one major revelation that left me stunned. 

Heavy story spoilers will be discussed throughout this article. Read at your own risk.

The return of a true monster 

To understand what makes this “jaw-dropping” reveal so special, we need to head all the way back to July 4, 2004. On this day, the devs released the original Monster Hunter Encyclopedia, which showcased early concepts for monsters, weapons, and many unused ideas that have since remained locked away in Capcom’s basement. 

However, one of the most intriguing concepts outlined in the book is that of the Ancient Civilization. This highly advanced society was known for its incredible technology and ability to build devastating weapons like the Dragonator, which can punch a gaping hole through even the most blood-thirsty beast. 

While Capcom has often shrouded the so-called “Ancient Civilization” in mystery, the devs have alluded to it via tidbits of lore. The most notable of these relics are the many ruins that appear in the series’ environments, with the most iconic being Castle Schrade and the Tower. 

While the scale of these towering monoliths is impressive, none of them come even close to the Equal Dragon Weapon. According to the translated concept, The Equal Dragon Weapon was created by the Ancient Civilization by fusing flesh and bone from over thirty mature dragons. 

Despite being an artificial abomination, this creepy concept is said to boast the physical strength, endurance, and firepower of any living monster. The Frankenstein-style beast was forced into existence during the Dragon Wars – bloody man vs beast battles that were so vicious it drove humanity to the brink of extinction. 

It’s pretty dark stuff and for years, fans, including myself, have been hopeful that Capcom would be willing to tap into its edgier side. Well, 20 years since the Equal Dragon Weapon was first unveiled, the devs have finally reanimated part of this long-forgotten relic.

Monster Hunter Wilds features Guardian Monsters – synthetic beasts that were created by the Ancient Civilization of Wyveria. Unlike other monsters in the series, these artificial creations do not need to consume other monsters to survive. Instead, they feed off Wyvern Milk, (not to be confused with Wyvern Eggs) – an advanced energy source that powers them. 

While Wyveria successfully harnessed Guardian monster powers to fight off any enemies that so much as dared to cross paths with them, the Ancient Civilization’s capital and its people were driven to annihilation by its most powerful creation. As a result, the ancestors of old Wyveria were driven from their homeland and forced to live in exile, leaving their technology behind. Sound familiar yet? 

Just like the Equal Dragon Weapon, Zoh Shia is the most powerful synthetic lifeform created and was the final line of defense for Wyveria. If their connection wasn’t strong enough, Zoh Shia also features an armored-like shell, which players must break through to expose its fleshy weak points. 

While its elegant and angelic armor is a far cry from the fleshy metallic fusion seen on the Equal Dragon Weapon, Zoh Shia has undeniable parallels to its gory grandfather. As I mentioned in my glowing review, Wilds is a culmination of ideas and concepts that have been forged from across 20 years of experience. 

Having The Equal Dragon Weapon fully realized in some form is a special moment for series fans, and one that really has me questioning whether we’re the real monsters of the series. No, no, that can’t be it – now if you don’t mind me, I’m going to forge a new Great Sword and stylish jacket. 

If you’re looking for more Monster Hunter content and are curious to see where Wilds ranks, check out our best Monster Hunter games list.