Summary
Monster Hunter Wildsis set to introduce players to a new world seemingly filled with fresh monster concepts, but one of the designs revealed so far might fall under the category of the franchise’s most bizarre creatures. While it’s always been known as a series that pushes the boundaries of imaginative yet somehow practical monsters that come along with each entry, several of them have become defined by their particularly unsettling looks. Now that one of these monsters has already been shown off in one of the first looks atMonster Hunter Wilds' gameplay, it’s possible that it could end up embodying a similar role to the grotesqueMHcreature that began this pattern.
The designs initially revealed inWilds' first trailers were the likes of relatively predictable Herbivores and Fanged Beasts, but a uniqueMonster HunterLeviathanstood out against these more conventional archetypes. Known as the Balahara, this monster is a serpentine swimmer of sand dunes, bearing stout limbs and what appears to be an eyeless, worm-like face. Apart from featuring a far more intimidating look than players are accustomed to at the start of a playthrough, this monster could be the latest addition to a lineage of strange and eerie creatures that began with the Khezu.
Khezu Set the Tone for Creepy Designs in Monster Hunter
The Evolution of Eyeless Monsters
Debuting inMonster Hunter Freedom Unite, the Khezu was a departure from the more traditionally mythical and majestic wildlife inspirations of monsters up until that point. Lacking eyes on a face resembling that of a leech, this drooling, cave-prowling take on a Flying Wyvern has persisted as one ofMH’s most memorable creatures. Through its unique association with wall-clinging and electricity being emphasized since its introduction, the Khezu also laid the groundwork for Capcom to iterate on this concept moving forward.
Despite the uncomfortable appearance of a mysterious monster lacking eyes, it’s likely that the subsequent appearances ofMonster Hunter 3’s Gigginoxand the popular Gore Magala within the following generations wouldn’t have been possible without Khezu beginning this trend. That original creepy monster seems to have outlived those other creatures for now following its outing inRise, but it also seems that the next game in the series is bringing its own twist on this formula to the table.
Balahara’s Uncanny Features Could Mean Its Monster Hunter Wilds' New Khezu
While it may still be unknown which classic designs will be returning to thebestiary ofMonster Hunter Wilds, it’s clear that the Balahara is encroaching on much of the same territory already covered by the likes of Khezu and its successors. Its apparent hunting behavior of setting traps similar to Antlions paired with its mandible-like, tripartite jaws evokes an insectoid feeling, but this is a full-sized monster that offers a formidable challenge within its desert home. Between a heavy reliance on its environment and the disturbing aesthetic of its serrated jaws and glowing flesh, the Balahara is likely taking heavily after the niche established by the Khezu.
There may still be room for the cave-dwelling Wyvern to exist inWildsthough, as the Balahara has been shown to operate in groups as opposed to the solitary behavior ofMonster Hunter’s influential Khezu. With it only having been seen in packs so far, there’s even the potential for a greater Balahara leader that can function as a proper boss in the same vein as creepier monsters of the past. Regardless of the variations that may follow it, however, the latest addition toMH’s set of eyeless creatures which represent some of the scariest parts of the entire series is sure to remind many returning players of the lasting impact of one of the series' most horrific concepts.
Monster Hunter Wilds
WHERE TO PLAY
The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next. This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.
