While often overlooked, the Monster Hunter narrative offers more depth than its straightforward presentation suggests. This deep dive explores the underlying themes and evolving storylines within the series.
← Return to Monster Hunter Wilds' main article
Monster Hunter's Narrative Evolution
The Monster Hunter series isn't primarily known for its narrative. Many dismiss its story due to its mission-based structure, where gameplay revolves around player-chosen or mandated quests. But is it truly that simplistic? Is it merely about hunting monsters for profit, fashion, or sport? Let's delve into the core series' narratives to find out.
The Hunter's Journey
Most Monster Hunter games share a similar structure: a novice Hunter accepts quests, gradually progressing to hunt increasingly formidable monsters, ultimately becoming the village's top-ranked Hunter. This progression, defeating progressively challenging creatures and culminating in a final boss battle (e.g., Fatalis in Monster Hunter 1), forms the core gameplay loop. Even newer titles, while incorporating more elaborate storylines, maintain this fundamental structure. However, titles like World, Rise, and their expansions feature more integrated narratives.
Maintaining Ecological Balance
The series frequently portrays the Hunter as a force maintaining ecological balance. Monster Hunter 4 (MH4), for instance, highlights the Gore Magala's threat due to the Frenzy Virus, a disease spreading aggression among creatures. The Gore Magala, visually designed as a villain, must be defeated to restore balance.
However, Monster Hunter: World and Iceborne offer a more nuanced perspective. The endings suggest that while humanity bears responsibility for ecological balance, they still have much to learn about natural processes.
Iceborne's conclusion reveals Nergigante as a natural force of balance, challenging the human-centric view. While Nergigante's role might seem underwhelming, it perfectly complements the game's theme of ecological equilibrium. The base game's ending portrays the Hunter as a "Sapphire Star," a guiding light, referencing the in-game "Tale of the Five," suggesting the Research Commission accepts its role as nature's guardian, guided by the Hunter.
Iceborne's ending contrasts this, emphasizing the Research Commission's need for further understanding of nature's self-regulating mechanisms. This juxtaposition highlights the limitations of human understanding in the face of natural processes, reflecting real-world ecological dynamics. This demonstrates a deeper narrative beyond simple monster battles. But how do the monsters perceive the Hunter?
The Hunter's Impact on Monsters
In MH4, defeating the Gore Magala only reveals its evolved form, Shagaru Magala, mirroring the Hunter's own progression and equipment upgrades. This suggests that monsters also learn and adapt to the Hunter's actions.
The Ahtal-Ka in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate exemplifies this. This colossal, mechanically-inclined monster utilizes Hunter-like weaponry and constructs, suggesting it mirrors and adapts to the Hunter's ingenuity. Its final form, wielding a giant wheel, further emphasizes this thematic reflection of the Hunter's resourcefulness and adaptability.
The Personal Narrative: Man vs. Wild
Ultimately, Monster Hunter's core narrative lies in the player's personal journey of growth and mastery. The series, similar to the Souls series, emphasizes overcoming challenges and personal improvement. The initial encounter with the Tigrex in Monster Hunter Freedom 2, where the Hunter is defeated, establishes a clear goal and motivates the player's journey.
Later encounters with the same monster highlight the player's progress and the satisfaction of overcoming initial adversity. This personal narrative, while not explicitly stated, is integral to the player's experience.
While newer games incorporate more overt storylines, the core appeal remains the player's personal journey of overcoming challenges and the resulting sense of accomplishment. The series effectively intertwines gameplay and narrative, creating a memorable and engaging experience. While the narratives might not be the most complex, they resonate deeply with players through their focus on personal growth and the ongoing struggle against nature's formidable challenges.
