It’s Okay To Feel Bad About Killing Animals In Monster Hunter Wilds

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Monster Hunter has consistently revolved around tracking down and slaying wild beasts, using their carcasses to craft extraordinary headgear and other fashion items. This cycle is repeated for countless hours as players enhance their arsenal of weapons, armor, and gear to take on larger monsters and create even more stylish accessories from their fallen remains. It seems to be a lifestyle choice that many people find acceptable, given the massive player base, despite the ethical discomfort it may bring.

However, as I enjoy playing Wilds among my friends and loved ones, I’ve discovered that not everyone is immediately welcoming to a game centered around the theme of killing virtual wildlife and disrupting fragile ecosystems. I understand this perspective entirely. But let me clarify, the animals in question are digital entities, and it’s crucial for us to employ empathy and recognize that no real-life creatures are harmed during gameplay. In the storyline of this game, we only engage in combat with those species on destructive rampages.

Monsters Are A Necessary Sacrifice In The Forbidden Lands

In Wild, compared to many other games in the series, it delves deeper into the coexistence of monsters and humans within this world. Generally, they live together, sharing resources, keeping a safe distance to prevent unnecessary violence. However, there are instances when harmony is hard to preserve. Predatory monsters will hunt for sustenance, whether that be other creatures or humans who unwittingly find themselves in their territory.

If such an incident occurs, it’s completely normal for the local tracker to handle the situation. Just as I wouldn’t think twice about intervening if someone close to me was being threatened by a dangerous beast. In those critical moments, saving a life is paramount and the thought of harming an animal is irrelevant. It seems some players are overlooking this when criticizing the fast-paced action in Monster Hunter, forgetting that it’s a fantastical, often tongue-in-cheek game.

On occasion, a character may prove intriguing to the player, as they seem to take such immense pride in the art of hunting that they could potentially harm the very environment they profess to safeguard.

In the game “Monster Hunter,” players often find themselves as members of an exploratory group venturing onto uncharted continents for the first time. As they interact with civilizations that have similar encounters with monsters, one might consider these creatures as predators, prey, or livestock analogous to our own animals. Unlike our world where most animals are domesticated, in this game’s setting, those yet to be tamed live freely. In the less developed world of “Monster Hunter,” managing and hunting monsters is a routine part of everyday life for ordinary individuals.

In games like Monster Hunter Stories, rather than just fighting creatures, you delve deeper into their societal roles, historical significance, and cultural traditions. Over time, these creatures have become so ingrained in society that some are even revered and worshipped. Contrary to the initial perception of Monster Hunter, it’s not about indiscriminately killing every creature you encounter. Instead, you can explore the open world and peacefully coexist with herbivores, spending tranquil hours watching them graze until sunset.

But There Is A Dissonance Between Gameplay And Narrative

In games such as World, Rise, Stories, and Wilds, the stories often portray Monsters in a compassionate light, but there’s a stark contrast between Capcom’s intended messages and how players might choose to behave. Players have the option to hunt and kill every monster they encounter, transforming into a ruthless hunter armed with weapons like a shotgun or, in this case, a high-tech crossbow.

Additionally, there’s the recurring cycle in the game where you go on hunting expeditions repeatedly to collect materials for crafting exceptional armor and weapons. This often leads to encounters with legendary monsters, turning them into a continuous production line of combat where you join forces with other players, all pursuing the same primary objective. When a friend enters the room while I’m skinning a creature I’ve been methodically killing for the past 30 minutes, I can see why they might express worry.

In other words, if it’s acceptable for us to engage in games that involve the ‘death’ of human characters, then what makes these fictional dinosaurs any more special? We’re not transforming them into clothing items, after all.

Not only is it highly entertaining, offering a satisfying mechanical experience, and incredibly fulfilling when mastering specific weapons and crafting superior equipment, but gaming for numerous years, particularly those involving the fictional demise of animals, has toughened my emotional resilience towards ending living beings for an abstract objective. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone is inured to these emotions, especially in games like Monster Hunter where the primary gameplay revolves around coordinated killing of living creatures.

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2025-03-05 03:01