Monster Hunter Wilds is getting a “massive expansion” next year, as is tradition for the series, and we saw the reveal at yesterday’s Summer Game Fest showcase. The reveal on its own raised a lot of questions, but shortly after it went live, Capcom published a video on its YouTube channel to share more details about the expansion and announce that the game is in development for Switch 2.
The video is a conversation between Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance’s producer Ryozo Tsujimoto and director Takuro Hiraoka. As they mention in the video, while Tsujimoto was a producer on the base game, Hiraoka was not Wilds’ director, and is taking the role over from Yuya Tokuda. Hiraoka says he’s worked on the series since Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, a 2010 Japan-exclusive PSP title, and worked his way up to be lead game designer on Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate and Monster Hunter World Iceborne.
After the two break down Ascendance’s not-so-subtle double meaning (it’s both an advancement in gameplay and a literal ascension in elevation), they get into some more concrete details about the new area. It’s officially called The Skybound Eyrie, and it’s a series of floating ruins players can explore. As see in the trailer, Seikrets (the bird-like mounts from the base game) can ride updrafts to reach the islands, and then freely glide between them. Hiraoka also says, “We’ve prepared other environmental features unique to this locale, as well,” though it’s unclear what that might refer to.
The duo also explains the Boost Bracer, a new mechanic we saw a glimpse of in the trailer. It enables new actions for each weapon type, enhancing “attacks, combos, and mobility, allowing for more versatility in hunts.” The footage makes it look like some combos are faster, and maybe do more damage, but it’s hard to tell specifics. “We’re also preparing other new attacks and combos not related to the Boost Bracer,” Hiraoka adds, though he doesn’t clarify that statement either.
Then, they go on to discuss some of the monsters players will be facing with these new moves. There’s a flock of a new aerial monster that dive-bombs the player in a V-formation. The elder dragon Kushala Daora is also returning, and while they’re not named, we see the silhouette of what appears to be Lao-Shan Lung. Hiraoka closes by saying, “Ascendance’s story will be deeply connected with elder dragons,” while Tsujimoto confirms the expansion for a 2027 release date.
After some banter promoting Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection (a game I reviewed and largely enjoyed), they close with a significant announcement: Monster Hunter Wilds is currently in development for Switch 2. That said, there’s no release window, nor any mention of whether the Switch 2 version will ever get the Ascendance DLC. “We will announce more official information, such as a release date, at a later time,” Tsujimoto says, ending the presentation.
For more Monster Hunter, check out our review of Wilds, World, and Iceborne.
