"New Monster, Nu Udra, Unveiled for Monster Hunter Wilds"

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

Oilwell Basin stands out with its unique vertical structure, a departure from the series' typical horizontally expansive locales. "We 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 go, the more magma-filled and hot it gets," explained Fujioka. He noted that the top strata are mostly oil-like swamps, creating a "gradation" in its overall structure.

Tokuda added that the area transforms dramatically during the Plenty event. When entering around the center or bottom level, it resembles an underwater volcano ecosystem. Drawing inspiration from the Coral Highlands in Monster Hunter World, the team crafted the Oilwell Basin's design for this state. "During the Fallow and Inclemency, smoke comes out of everywhere in the Oilwell Basin like it's some sort of volcano or hot spring. But during the Plenty, it takes on a clear, marine-like tone as we just mentioned. Look closely at the environmental biology and you'll find that it's even a region inhabited by the kinds of creatures you'd expect to find on the ocean bed."

These creatures are distinct and native to Oilwell Basin, adding to the area's uniqueness. Despite its seemingly lifeless appearance, it teems with a variety of monsters and creatures.

Nu Udra, The Black Flame

No Monster Hunter locale is complete without its apex predator. The harsh and desolate Oilwell Basin is ruled by the "Black Flame," Nu Udra. This massive, octopus-esque monster has a slimy, flammable body shaped by its environment. It uses its slithering tentacles to capture prey before unleashing scorching flames, ensuring a fiery demise. Complementing the Windward Plains’ Rey Dau with its lightning and the Scarlet Forest’s Uth Duna with its water, Nu Udra completes the trio with its fire affinity.

Nu Udra's design echoes an octopus, a seafaring creature, which was intentional, according to Fujioka. "I’ve always wanted to add a tentacled creature at some point," he shared. The team transformed this aquatic creature into something more striking and "demonic," adding horn-like elements to its head. Its battle music further enhances this theme, incorporating phrases and instruments reminiscent of black magic, as Tokuda explained. "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."

Fighting Nu Udra is a formidable challenge. Equipped with numerous tentacles, it can 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 dominant force in the Oilwell Basin. The huge, scaly, and monkey-like Ajarakan, covered in flames, also roams these lands. It uses martial arts-inspired movements and powerful fists in its attacks, blending massive physical strength with fire power. Ajarakan is a thrilling new addition to the Monster Hunter series.

Another inhabitant is the strangely globular Rompopolo, with thin needles for a mouth and toxic gases as its weapon. Its purple hue and glowing red eyes give it a menacing, mad scientist-like appearance. The developers drew inspiration from this stereotype, describing Rompopolo as a "tricky monster." Despite its eerie look, the equipment crafted from its drops is surprisingly "cute" for both the Hunter and their Palico companion.

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 addition to this volcanic region. "When we were thinking of monsters that match the Oilwell Basin's environment, make sense in the game's overall progression and don't play too similarly to any other monsters, we thought that we could make Gravios seem like a fresh challenge and decided that it would reappear," Tokuda stated.

With these exciting reveals, anticipation builds for Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28th.