Monster Hunter Wilds’ Gemma Is the Game’s Breakout Star

Summary

Gemma in Monster Hunter Wilds is a standout character, with charisma and humor rarely seen in the series.
Gemma's lighthearted comedic presentation and leadership qualities make her feel like a genuine part of the world.
Gemma's emotional backstory adds depth and complexity usually lacking in Monster Hunter's side characters.

Capcom's Monster Hunter series isn't known for having memorable characters, as they are traditionally primarily there to provide more context to the world and assist the player as they hunt down vicious monsters. Rather than feeling like real individuals, many of Monster Hunter's side characters are more frequently portrayed as robotic butlers, with others filling the role of classic JRPG archetypes. However, Monster Hunter Wilds is on a different level when it comes to side characters, with Gemma, in particular, arguably being the game's breakout star.

Monster Hunter Wilds' Gemma has been rather famous among fans and the gaming community at large since her debut in the game's gameplay trailer in June 2024, after which she gained such a significant following that a "Dating Sim" tag was even added to the game's Steam page. Of course, Monster Hunter Wilds is not a dating sim in the slightest; this was merely due to how smitten some fans were with her appearance. It turns out her character in Monster Hunter Wilds is much more than her appearance, though, giving fans even more reason to love her.

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By Matt Karoglou

Gemma Is Monster Hunter Wilds' Best Character

Gemma Is Charismatic and Funny

Most Monster Hunter NPCs function as quest-givers, vendors, or lore dispensers rather than fully fleshed-out characters with deep personal arcs. While more recent characters in the series have had a bit more personality — like Monster Hunter: World's Handler, for example — they rarely exhibit more complex emotions and motivations, and they generally steer clear of significant character development. Monster Hunter Wilds' Gemma, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air for the franchise in terms of side characters, giving players one of the most interesting and memorable characters the mainline series has ever seen.

Monster Hunter's spin-off titles, like Monster Hunter Stories, generally have more expressive and developed characters, but these titles also have a stronger narrative focus than the mainline series, making Gemma a rare gem.

For starters, Gemma is charismatic and funny, both of which are qualities rarely seen in Monster Hunter's side characters. From the moment she is introduced in the game, Gemma stands out among the others for her elated personality and simultaneous commanding strength, which she uses to "rally the troops" when necessary. On top of that, as Monster Hunter Wilds' Smithy, she has one of the best smithing sequences in the series, showing every step and detail of her hard work, and even concluding with her removing the goggles from her sweat-soaked face and presenting players with their newly forged equipment.

Gemma's humor isn't necessarily over-the-top hilarious, but she can get almost anyone to crack a smile if she really wants to. It's not so much her jokes that are funny, but the lighthearted comedic way Monster Hunter Wilds goes about presenting her character. She's one of the quirkier characters in Monster Hunter Wilds, without a doubt, and that characteristic often shows itself in her clumsy thought patterns, despite being a very diligent and precise blacksmith.

Gemma Is a Natural Leader With an Emotional Backstory

Gemma is also a very natural leader, and that's actually clear from very early on in Monster Hunter Wilds' story. While Gemma is known for being more playful than serious at times, she can be quite authoritative when the situation calls for it. As Monster Hunter Wilds' story progresses, players will see this part of her character come out even more as she organically steps into a leadership role when necessary. Furthermore, she has a fairly emotional backstory that centers around her self-confidence, though Monster Hunter Wilds refrains from digging too deeply into it.

From the moment she is introduced in the game, Gemma stands out among the others for her elated personality and simultaneous commanding strength, which she uses to "rally the troops" when necessary.

While past Monster Hunter NPCs have largely been functional rather than memorable, Gemma stands out as a charismatic, humorous, and surprisingly layered character. Her mix of charm, leadership, and lighthearted quirkiness makes her feel like a genuine part of Monster Hunter Wilds' world rather than just another vendor or quest-giver. Whether she's rallying hunters, forging new equipment, or simply cracking an endearing joke, Gemma proves that it's possible for a Monster Hunter NPC to have both a heart and a soul.

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 95%

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Released: February 28, 2025
ESRB: T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor
Developer(s): Capcom
Publisher(s): Capcom

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The unbridled force of nature runs wild and relentless, with environments transforming drastically from one moment to the next. This is a story of monsters and humans and their struggles to live in harmony in a world of duality.

Fulfill your duty as a Hunter by tracking and defeating powerful monsters and forging strong new weapons and armor from the materials you harvest from your hunt as you uncover the connection between the people of the Forbidden Lands and the locales they inhabit.

The ultimate hunting experience awaits you in Monster Hunter Wilds.