Monster Hunter Wilds has quickly become a strong contender for Game of the Year 2025, even though 2024 is still underway. The game is earning attention for its distinctive gameplay mechanics, including the ability to drift large bird-like mounts, reminiscent of the famous motorcycle slide from Akira.
With no other upcoming games featuring this kind of dynamic movement, Monster Hunter Wilds is being celebrated for its creativity and cinematic flair, putting it in an advantageous position among anticipated releases.
Recently, GameSpot shared new footage showcasing some of the game’s features, further building anticipation. In a short demo, a custom female hunter wielding a greatsword is seen riding a Seikret mount through a desert alongside a sand-ship.
At one point, she retrieves her sword and performs a stunning Akira-style slide, a moment that has captured the attention of fans. This scene, first noted by a Reddit user, exemplifies the blend of intense action and visually striking moments that make the game so appealing.
Capcom has prominently featured this sequence in multiple trailers and promotional materials, underlining its importance to the game’s overall presentation. However, in a recently released beginner’s guide, Capcom surprisingly cut the Akira slide from the sequence, much to the disappointment of fans.
Many argue that this move is crucial for beginners to see, as it not only highlights key gameplay mechanics but also adds to the excitement surrounding the game’s release.
The Akira slide has long been a staple in pop culture, originating from the 1988 cyberpunk classic Akira. Over the years, this move has appeared in various forms of media, including anime, games, and even live-action films.
What makes the Akira slide iconic is not just the vehicle being used, but the cinematic angles and the dust trail that accompany it. Monster Hunter Wilds brings its own spin to this legendary moment, allowing players to perform the slide with a giant bird-like creature, making it one of the game’s most exciting features.
This addition continues the trend set by previous Monster Hunter games, such as Monster Hunter Rise, which introduced quirky mechanics like riding and drifting giant dogs. However, the Seikret slide in Monster Hunter Wilds has raised even more excitement.
Capcom’s ongoing push to innovate the series’ movement systems, combined with the game’s action-packed combat and its nods to pop culture, has made Monster Hunter Wilds one of the most anticipated titles in the gaming community.