Monster Hunter Wilds does a lot right. Many of the swings taken in the latest Monster entry have paid off well, maintaining the franchise's upward trend as it continues to innovate. Of course, not every feature is an evolution. In a few cases, Wilds has, for me, underdelivered on expectations.
When the Seikret, our new, lovable mount, was revealed, I was hoping that it would bring an abundance of customization options with it. After being spoiled by the intense customization of Rise's Palamute companions, I was expecting something, at the very least, that was on par. Unfortunately, after completing just about every quest in Monster Hunter Wilds, the options are frustratingly sparse. While their lack of armor is understandable, as Seikrets are non-combat companions, the frustratingly small scale of Seikret customization feels like a massive mistake.
Monster Hunter Wilds Doesn't Have Much For Seikrets
A Disappointing Customization List
It's hard to deny that the Seikret customization feels underbaked. Currently, the Seikret has around four different armor sets, with two additional ones as paid DLC. Much like the hunter weapons, pendants can also be attached to Seikrets. However, there are very few actual pendant designs in Wilds. Most of the available options are recolors of the same scarf, with around four actually distinct options.
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As for customizing the Seikret itself, while it does have a nice array of color options, there's no way to actually change the Seikret's appearance beyond its armor. There's not even an option to change the Seikret's pattern, which itself has almost zero effect on the model. There's one pattern option: generic stripes, take it or leave it. Like the similarly lacking pop-up tent customizations, it's a confusing choice for Capcom to make, especially with how much emphasis both features had in Wilds marketing.
Gear In Monster Hunter Is Usually More Than Cosmetic
But Who Really Cares About Palico Armor Stats?
Seikrets do occupy a strange space in Monster Hunter. Despite being a hunting companion, they don't directly contribute to combat besides the occasional slick hunter drive-by. As such, there are no specialized tools or weapons to equip the Seikret with. Similarly, while there are armor options for the Seikret, there is absolutely zero gameplay effect, and they are earned as quest rewards as opposed to being crafted and upgraded like all other weapons and armor in Wilds.
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Normally, Palico gear is a part of a hunter's progression. It's improved over time, as the hunter is, and it can be used to fine-tune how the companion functions in combat. Seikret armor does not sit on the standard monster hunter progression loop; it's not made of monster parts, and it does not contribute to hunting. While this helps to explain it being sidelined, it's disappointing to see all the endlessly creative options of the Palico and then return to the Seikret customization, where I'm limited to changing the color of its scarf and stripes.
Seikret's Are A Step Back From Rise's Rideable Palamutes
Palamutes Were Wonderfully Implemented In Rise
Seikret's are even more disappointing when compared to Monster Hunter 's excellent Palamutes, which are both versatile and customizable. While the Palamutes did serve a slightly different function than Seikrets, as they did engage in combat, their primary use was as a mount. In a sense, Palamutes were treated far closer to Palicoes; they were customized in the initial character creation menus and featured as part of the standard Monster Hunter progression loop. In other words, Palamutes had an armor set and weapon for each huntable monster.
While they were a part of this loop, it's important to note that I doubt most players actually mull over their companion's armor stats. The Monster Hunter players has long embraced the rule of cool, and that's especially applicable to the consistently wacky companion armor designs. Usually, there's some subsystem that has much more of an impact on a companion's gameplay when compared to armor, too. Palamutes, for instance, had hunting tools, which functioned as the primary way to customize them.
Many of these companion subsystems have been toned down in Wilds, with Palico skills being unlocked automatically.
Giving Seikrets armor would essentially fulfill the same primary role as armor on Palicoes or Palamutes — an aesthetic one. Going from the highly customizable and abundantly armored Palamute to the empty Seikret shell is disappointing to say the least, especially as there's really no valid reason as to why the Seikret shouldn't have armor sets.
Fun Seikret Custimization Would Still Be Worthwhile
I Expect It To Arrive Eventually
Even though Seikrets exist outside the traditional Monster Hunter progression loop, their prominence throughout the entirety of the Wilds experience would make additional customization options worthwhile. With massive quality-of-life improvements already made to layered armor, which is now far less frustrating in Wilds, it's obvious that customization and style are as important as ever to Capcom.
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As such, whatever the reason is for the Seikret's initial lack of customization, I do have faith that it will be amended (hopefully along with layered weapons). Whether deeper Seikret customization might come with a title update or with Monster Hunter Wilds' expansion remains to be seen, but assuming my expectations pay off, I know it will be a highly praised choice when it does.
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