Monster Hunter Wilds has kept me on my toes ever since it launched a few weeks ago. I’ve been busy trying to advance my hunter rank in the high-rank areas, and I find myself constantly debating which new armor set to craft next. Right now, I’m hunting the formidable Jin Dahaad, but I can’t shake the allure of the armor-plated Gravios set—it’s just perfect for my hammer build. There’s so much to explore and do in Wilds, yet I can’t help but feel that something is missing.
You see, what I’d really love is to dress up a pig in adorable outfits and carry him around like a little baby.
I’m talking about Monster Hunter’s iconic Poogie, a plump little pig with floppy ears who’s become almost as much of a mascot for the series as the fierce Rathalos. Poogies have made their mark in Monster Hunter games for quite some time; my first encounter with one was in the hub world of Monster Hunter World. There’s a cherished ritual where you pet the Poogie, accompanied by a delightful tune while you shower it with affection. Get the timing just right, and Poogie is in heaven! But, staying true to the Monster Hunter spirit, even this isn’t straightforward—mess it up, and the little guy will get upset and scamper off, leaving you to try again after your next quest.
Back in earlier games, Poogie was a familiar sight waddling through the main gathering areas, and giving him some affection before heading out on a hunt was a superstitious ritual for some players hoping to boost their chances of snagging those elusive monster parts. Some folks are convinced this luck factor is coded into the game somehow, but Capcom has never confirmed it.
However, Poogie wasn’t just about getting lucky! In previous games, once you earned Poogie’s love and trust, you could dress him in all sorts of costumes. Who wouldn’t enjoy seeing a pig in a bee outfit? In Monster Hunter World, my usual routine involved lovingly cradling Poogie while exploring the hub, waiting for the telltale vibration of my controller hinting at a treasure nearby. (TagBackTV on YouTube made a great video on this, by the way.)
In Monster Hunter Wilds, Poogie still makes an appearance, but not until you reach chapter 3, and even then, he’s tucked away in a village that I rarely visit unless my quests demand it. Sure, this Poogie’s often found adorably balancing a spherical frog on its back, but the interactions simply don’t match up to the lively Poogie experiences from past games. There are no stripey jammies or fuzzy ram outfits here. All I get to do is pet Poogie and change his name.
With the announcement of the Title 1 update dropping for Monster Hunter Wilds next week, Capcom has hinted at a fantastic new gathering hub, an option slated to replace the campsites sprinkled around the Forbidden Lands. A sneak peek from Capcom’s 12-minute update showcased tantalizing elements at this new Grand Hub for hunters, complete with mini-games and a sprawling kitchen. (I’m particularly thrilled about this because it might herald the return of the Meowscular Chef, that legendary culinary cat.)
But this new hub will never feel complete to me if I can’t pick up and hold a pig. Come on, Capcom, give us what we, well I, really want.
