Mythical creatures such as dragons and wyverns have always added to high fantasy iconography, whether in films, television, or video games. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma, The Legend of Dragoon, and Monster Hunter are only a handful of games that have held such creatures in great regard, with an emphasis on how influential they are to the fantasy genre.
Monster Hunter is no different, with wyverns added alongside a roster of more unique monsters that help distinguish them further. One indie project allows players to experience the freedom and power of the fantastical beast in a sweeping desert vista, with Monster Hunter's live-action film being the main inspiration to do so.
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Fouad Torriss, founder of indie studio ImagineDreams, has shared a look at an impromptu project titled either 'Wyvern' or 'Wyvern Simulator', though there does not appear to be a concrete title set in stone. As the wyvern, players can fly freely throughout the open sky, perform four-legged sprints across the sand, and spew great fireballs that erupt the dunes into large clouds on impact. However, Torriss reiterates multiple times that this playable controller is not a game and that there are no plans to turn it into one, primarily due to a lack of funds that would be needed.
Because of a hugely positive reception to the footage, Torriss has generously decided to share a free download link for the simulator so that players can get their hands on it and enjoy time roaming freely as a wyvern with no objectives or narrative to follow. Torriss has been incredibly gracious and transparent with the development of the simulator, letting interested fans in on what updates are arriving and what intricate roles Torriss played in making the playable controller a functional project.
Torriss explains that the inspiration for making the playable wyvern controller was actually the Monster Hunter film. Torriss programmed and overlayed the authentic animations together for the "non-humanoid controller" with the Rathalos in mind, though the selected dark-colored wyvern more closely represents a Rathian in appearance. Indeed, this simulator emulates the impeccable graphics that Monster Hunter's latest titles have, and most prominently echoes a Rathian or Rathalos in a desert landscape.
Torriss has since added a dedicated Photo Mode into the playable controller, and fans have already shared the cinematic shots that they have been able to capture. While this playable controller may not see any further development as its own game, players can enjoy this Monster Hunter-inspired wyvern simulation as its own impressive project.
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