Episode 163 Summary: Monster Hunter's Ruling The Wilds

In Episode 163 of the Gaming Illuminaughty podcast, hosts @TheBlackHokage, @UtxJGTheDon, and @DevEthos delve into the latest developments in the gaming world. Released on March 17, 2025, this episode primarily focuses on the newest installment in the Monster Hunter series, "Monster Hunter Wilds," while also touching upon other significant gaming news and industry discussions.

Monster Hunter Wilds: A Deep Dive

Overview: "Monster Hunter Wilds" marks a significant entry in the Monster Hunter franchise, aiming to attract both long-time fans and newcomers. Hosts explore the game's strengths and weaknesses based on their extensive playtime.

Positive Highlights:

• Story and Pacing:

  • Ms. 5000 Watts praises the game's narrative structure, stating, "I really, really like the story. I liked the pacing of it." [(03:32)]

• Character and World Building:

  • The introduction of local characters enriches the gaming experience. Ms. 5000 Watts mentions, "You get to know the people you're traveling with, and it definitely makes you care more about the characters." [(05:00)]

• Monster Diversity and Design:

  • The monster roster is lauded for its uniqueness. Ms. 5000 Watts enthuses, "You've got octopus, dogs, chicken T. Rexes... all super unique monsters." [(05:10)]

• Soundtrack:

  • The game's music elevates the experience. Ms. 5000 Watts notes, "The soundtrack is a step above every single one in the series." [(05:30)]

Areas for Improvement:

• PC Optimization:

  • A recurring issue is the game's frame rate on PC. Ms. 5000 Watts points out, "A lot of people are struggling to get decent frame rates out of the game." [(05:00)]

• Story Engagement:

  • While some find the story compelling, The Black Okagi expresses, "I found the story pretty boring," emphasizing that gameplay compensates for narrative shortcomings. [(10:04)]

Host Perspectives:

• DevEthos:

  • Despite performance issues, Ethos appreciates the game's mechanics, stating, "I still enjoyed my time playing it," and considers it a potential Game of the Year contender. [(10:10)]

• Yakuza the Don:

  • Yakuza the Don remains skeptical about the game's long-term appeal but acknowledges its immediate engagement. [(14:39)]

Elden Ring Night Rain: The Co-op Evolution

Overview: "Elden Ring Night Rain" is a spin-off that emphasizes cooperative gameplay, enhancing the traditional Souls-like experience.

Key Features:

• Enhanced Boss Mechanics:

  • The game introduces bosses designed specifically for multi-player interactions. Ethos remarks, "The bosses are better designed for co-op." [(24:45)]

• Teamwork Dynamics:

  • New mechanics facilitate teamwork, such as managing mobs while one player tanks the boss. The Black Okagi highlights, "It's like team teamwork, where you manage different roles." [(26:27)]

• Content and Replayability:

  • Concerns are raised about the amount of content at launch. Ms. 5000 Watts hopes for diverse maps and events to maintain player interest. [(35:11)]

Host Experiences:

• DevEthos:

  • Ethos enjoyed the network test but worries about post-launch content sustainability. [(24:45)]

• Ms. 5000 Watts:

  • Ms. 5000 Watts appreciates the depth of new classes and the potential for varied gameplay. [(35:05)]

Pirate Yakuza: Setting Sail in Hawaii

Overview: "Pirate Yakuza" is the latest side mission in the Yakuza series, transporting players to a whimsical pirate adventure in Hawaii.

Key Highlights:

• Narrative and Humor:

  • The storyline is intentionally nonsensical, a trademark of the series. Yakuza the Don describes it as, "None of it makes any sense, but that's the beauty of it." [(43:21)]

• Gameplay Mechanics:

  • New combat systems and ship battles add freshness. Ms. 5000 Watts praises the "intuitive pirate combat" and ship upgradations. [(46:00)]

• Engaging Missions:

  • Humorous side quests, such as interactions with quirky characters, enhance the gaming experience. The Black Okagi shares a funny mission about a headset that allows talking to animals. [(47:21)]

Hosts' Takeaways:

• DevEthos:

  • Finds the pirate combat loop enjoyable and appreciates the unique gameplay elements. [(48:03)]

• Yakuza the Don:

  • Enjoys the blend of humor and action but notes initial struggles with the mechanics. [(53:21)]

Split Gate 2: Portal Mechanics Refined

Overview: "Split Gate 2" continues the legacy of its predecessor with improved visuals and smoother gameplay mechanics.

Improvements Noted:

• Visual Enhancements:

  • Upgraded graphics contribute to a more immersive experience. The Black Okagi mentions, "The gameplay is smoother than ever." [(54:28)]

• New Weapons and Abilities:

  • Introduction of new tools adds strategic depth. The Black Okagi comments, "New weapons make the gameplay crisper." [(54:05)]

Concerns:

• Character Design Simplicity:

  • Some hosts feel the character designs are too generic and lack flair. The Black Okagi states, "Character designs are kind of too simple." [(54:05)]

• Pricing and Microtransactions:

  • Potential inclusion of microtransactions raises concerns about game integrity and player experience. [(54:05)]

Additional Gaming News and Updates

Tony Hawk Remasters:

• Announcement:
  • Remastered versions of "Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4" are set to release.
• Host Opinions:
  • The Black Okagi suggests bundling previous titles for better value, while Yakuza the Don remains indifferent. [(56:05)]

Call of Duty 2026:

• Platform Support:
  • The upcoming "Call of Duty 2026" will discontinue support for PS4 and older Xbox consoles, focusing solely on newer platforms.
• Host Reactions:
  • Hosts express frustration over the exclusion of older consoles. The Black Okagi laments, "Developers are finally giving up on the almost 15-year-old consoles." [(58:35)]

Fable Reboot Delay:

• Update:
  • The reboot of the "Fable" franchise has been delayed until 2026.
• Host Perspectives:
  • While some are disappointed, others like Ms. 5000 Watts remain optimistic about the gameplay enhancements shown in trailers. [(60:14)]

Social Justice and Industry Critique

GameStop CEO's DEI Rant:

• Situation:
  • During an earnings call, the GameStop CEO blamed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and "wokeness" for the company's struggles and store closures.
• Host Reactions:
  • The hosts vehemently criticize this stance, viewing it as misguided and harmful. Yakuza the Don states, "You're dragging this game because you already played it." [(124:01)]

Ubisoft's Community Management:

• Incident:
  • A fan, Grums, tweeted a controversial comment about "Assassin's Creed Shadow Ships," leading Ubisoft to respond professionally while restricting further comments.
• Analysis:
  • Hosts applaud Ubisoft's handling of the situation, noting the effective use of social media tactics to manage community backlash. Ethos remarks, "It's time to silence these idiots and make them look like idiots." [(137:43)]

Warner Bros. Games Studio Shutdown:

• Update:
  • Warner Bros. has canceled the "Wonder Woman" game and shut down the Monolith studio due to financial struggles and poor performance of recent titles.
• Host Critique:
  • The hosts express disappointment and frustration, accusing executive decisions of harming talented development teams. Ms. 5000 Watts emphasizes, "Developers don't deserve this." [(83:38)]

Final Discussions and Recommendations

Rainbow Six Siege X Announcement:

• Overview:
  • Ubisoft announced "Rainbow Six Siege X," intended to be a major evolution of the existing game.
• Host Insights:
  • Concerns arise about whether it will be a true sequel or just an expansion with enhanced graphics. The Black Okagi questions, "Would they keep the multiplayer intact?" [(99:22)]

Console Leasing Programs:

• News:
  • Sony is reportedly offering leasing options for the PS5 and PS5 Pro in the UK.
• Host Opinions:
  • The hosts criticize these programs as exploitative, advising listeners to avoid them. Ms. 5000 Watts warns, "Don't do it." [(123:36)]

Community Interaction and Game Preservation:

• Discussion:
  • The decline of physical game copies due to tariffs and the shift towards digital-only releases threatens game preservation efforts.
• Host Concerns:
  • The Black Okagi highlights the importance of preserving physical media for collectors and future accessibility. [(129:44)]

Final Recommendations:

• Must-Play Titles:

  • Ms. 5000 Watts urges listeners to try "Monster Hunter Wilds" for its engaging combat and storytelling. [(141:39)]
  • Other recommendations include "Dance of Annihilation," "Lost Soul Aside," and the new "Divine Ascension." [(141:59)]

• Entertainment Beyond Gaming:

  • Hosts suggest watching engaging series like "Invincible," "Re Zero," and "Paradise" for quality storytelling outside of gaming. [(144:29) & (144:57)]

Notable Quotes

• Ms. 5000 Watts: "Monster Hunter always has really, really good soundtracks. But this one is a step above every single one." [(05:30)]

• Yakuza the Don: "We are all grown. Hey, we ain't making no money off of this. So, you know, let's get it to a point where we can't do this anymore." [(01:35)]

• Ethos: "I still enjoyed my time playing it." [(10:10)]

• Ms. 5000 Watts: "Recluse class offers depth with dynamic spell combinations, enhancing co-op play." [(35:05)]

• GameStop CEO: "It's about DEI and wokeness." [(124:01)]

Conclusion

Episode 163 of Gaming Illuminaughty provides a comprehensive examination of "Monster Hunter Wilds," highlighting its strengths in storytelling, combat, and sound design while acknowledging technical shortcomings. The hosts extend their analysis to other significant gaming news and critically address industry-wide issues related to corporate management and social justice. Through engaging discussions and candid opinions, the episode offers valuable insights for both dedicated gamers and casual listeners.

Note: All timestamps correspond to moments within the provided transcript and reflect where quotes and discussions occur.