"Nu Udra: New Monster Unveiled in 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

In an exclusive interview with IGN, Monster Hunter Wilds directors Yuya Tokuda and Kaname Fujioka introduce players to one of the areas they’ll be able to explore in the full game, the Oilwell Basin, as well as the gallant monster that rules over its lands, the Nu Udra.

Oilwell Basin is unique in that it is vertically structured rather than the usual horizontally broad locales of the series. "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," said Fujioka. He added that the top strata mostly consist of oil-like swamps and that there’s a sort of "gradation" in its overall structure.

Tokuda explained that the entire area will take on a new form once the event known as the Plenty is ongoing. Once you enter around the center or bottom level, the area will resemble an underwater volcano ecosystem. The team drew on their experience from creating the Coral Highlands in Monster Hunter World to design the Oilwell Basin in 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. 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," Tokuda said.

These creatures are distinct and native to Oilwell Basin, making the environment uniquely diverse. It may look lifeless, but it's home to a plethora of monsters and creatures.

Nu Udra, The Black Flame

Of course, a location in a Monster Hunter game is not without its apex predator. The harsh and desolate environment is home to the "Black Flame," Nu Udra. This massive, octopus-esque monster has a slimy and flammable body, adapted to its environment. It uses its slithering tentacles to capture prey before unleashing scorching flames, sending them to a fiery death. With Windward Plains’ Rey Dau reigning over lightning, and the Scarlet Forest’s Uth Duna wielding the power of water, the eldritch horror-looking Nu Udra completes the trio with its fire affinity.

Nu Udra largely resembles an octopus, a seafaring creature, and Fujioka shared that this was intentional. "I’ve always wanted to add a tentacled creature at some point," he mentioned, explaining that they took a normally aquatic creature and modified it for a more striking look and feel. They aimed for a "demonic" look, adding horn-like elements to its head. This ties in with its unique battle music, which is reminiscent of demonic imagery and black magic. "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," Tokuda added.

Battling it is immensely challenging, as it is equipped with several tentacles and can attack with both focused and AoE (area of effect) moves in rapid succession. It is immune to Flash Bombs as it doesn’t rely on its vision to see prey—it only needs its many tentacles to sense its environment.

More Monsters In The Basin

However, it’s not only Nu Udra that roams the barren land with authority. Trailing just behind it is the huge, scaly, and monkey-like Ajarakan, covered from head to toe in flames. It attacks with martial arts-inspired movements and frequent use of its fists in its moveset. A terrifying blend of massive physical strength and fire power, Ajarakan is a welcome new addition to the series’ repertoire of monsters.

There is also the strangely globular monster with thin needles for a mouth called the Rompopolo, who uses toxic gases from its body in combat. Its strangely purple color and glowing red eyes are menacing, reminiscent of a mad scientist. The developers said that they were directly inspired by the stereotypical mad scientist when designing Rompopolo, calling it a "tricky monster." Despite its eerie features, its drops make for surprisingly "cute" equipment for both the Hunter and their Palico companion.

Even a monster from previous games makes its comeback. Gravios, last seen in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, returns to occupy the Oilwell Basin as well. This was because it felt like it would fit the overall locale, with its rocky carapace, fiery breath, and is often found in volcanic regions. "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 mentioned.

With all these reveals, it’s hard not to be excited for Monster Hunter Wilds’ upcoming release on February 28th.