‘Monster Hunter’ fans are abuzz with excitement over the recently released trailer for the newest installment in the franchise, ‘Monster Hunter Wilds’. The trailer footage has ignited a wave of speculation among fans who believe the game may serve as a follow-up to both ‘Monster Hunter World’ and ‘Monster Hunter 4’.

From the outset, ‘Wilds’ seems to be reminiscent of ‘World’, particularly with its more realistic visual style. The trailer also showcased more of its environment, which Capcom has described as "more hostile" than previous games in the series, and introduced several characters who have sparked intense debate among long-time fans.

One character that has caught the community's attention is Gemma the Smithy. With her blonde hair, blue hair tie, and distinctive outfit, she bears a striking resemblance to Little Miss Forge, the blacksmith from a location in ‘Monster Hunter 4’ known as the village of Harth. Given that nearly 11 years have passed since the original release of ‘Monster Hunter 4’, it is plausible that Gemma could indeed be an older version of Little Miss Forge. Fans also never learned Little Miss Forge’s real name, making the theory that she and Gemma are the same person seem quite convincing.

Another character stirring speculation is the older gentleman seen towards the end of the trailer. He selects the protagonist as a lead hunter for an expedition. Observant fans have noted his hairstyle closely matches that of Ace Lancer, a Guild Knight from previous games. Since this character in ‘Wilds’ has yet to be named, the possibility remains open that he could indeed be Ace Lancer, now older and in a new role.

Additionally, some fans have drawn parallels between Alma, the hunter's handler in ‘Wilds’, and the Guildmarm from ‘Monster Hunter 4’. However, this theory appears less solid. The Guildmarm already has a name—Sophia—and while Alma shares some visual similarities such as dark hair and glasses, they do not appear to be the same person. Nevertheless, Alma’s design might be inspired by Sophia, potentially serving as a nod to the earlier game.

As fans dissect every detail of the trailer, the speculation remains just that—speculation. Yet the connections seem compelling enough to keep the community buzzing with excitement. Whether these theories hold true will likely be revealed in time. Meanwhile, Capcom has announced that a new trailer for ‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ will debut at Summer Game Fest 2024. This upcoming trailer is set to introduce a brand new monster, adding even more fuel to the fan theories.

The ‘Monster Hunter’ series has achieved significant success, recently surpassing a total of 100 million sales. ‘Monster Hunter World’ alone has contributed approximately 25 million to this impressive figure. And with ‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ on the horizon, it seems the series is set to continue its legacy of engaging and thrilling fans around the world.