Scary Monsters in Un-Scary Games: Khezu and Gigginox

Have you ever played a game that you weren’t expecting to have really scary monsters in them, but they do anyway?

Your answer may be vary (“Si” “Non” “Bitch, what?”), even more so if you hear the game. But when you hear that there are scary monsters in a game called “Monster Hunter” You would think...well, duh, right?

Well, yes and no. Capcom’s Monster Hunter is a vast genre, spanning five generations worth of monsters. In each one, you’re a hunter tasked with hunting down these various monsters, be it for research, or part of an investigation into a larger ecological problem. You’re kinda like...badass environmentalists...mostly.

The monsters that you fight can range to the epic-a larged winged dragon by the name of Rathalos, whose been one of the king monsters of the entire series, specially if you take a look at the 1st one-to the ridiculous Great Jaggi-a large frilled raptor that while can pose a bit of a first level challenge, can easily fall prey to a few pit-traps and bombs...and...several...gun-lances. All to some, frankly, amazing music.

But picture this scenario; two hunters are exploring some icy caves, one of them pauses to survey the area:

“Do you hear that?”

The two hunters take the time to listen.

…

“...nothing.”

“Nothing at all. We know that big fella’s here, but where would he--”

*plop*

“Wait...what’s that?” Is that...saliva?”

“Is that fresh?! We’re in an ice cave, how can that…”

*plop plop*

“Hey...that just...that fell on your shoulder…”

“Where did--”

The two hunters turn towards the ceiling, where a white, pseudo-flying wyvern is hanging on the ceiling, it’s caping maw dripping with drool as it pounces on them.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Khezu, one of the many monsters in Monster Hunter that’s a bit scary and unnerving. First thing you may notice on this white devil is it’s *long* neck. It can extend this thing to lean on down to pray and snap em up with it’s sharp teeth...and...swallow it whole. Aye, this thing can swallow its prey whole...and you, if you’re fool enough to not take the proper precautions. Just ask this Kelbi.

It’s blind, as well. While it can’t see you, it has a great sense of smell and hearing, so it’ll sniff you out. Should you have the unfortunate task of fighting it, you’ll find that it’s not one to be pushed around, especially since it can shoot out lightning at you.

Oh, and remember how I said you’ll be listening to some sick beats when you’re fighting monsters in Monster Hunter? Well, there is no music when you’re near a Khezu. All you have to hear is its shuffling as it tries to sniff you out. Once it finds you though, it doesn’t hesitate to roar and lunge at you.

It’s younger cousin, the Gigginox, is much nicer by comparison...granted, that’s actually very slim, considering it looks *just* as ugly. I mean seriously; look at this thing, it’s like the gods thought a two headed leech, with the other head where it’s arse should be, was a good idea. And while it doesn’t have the silence of the Khezu, it gets this pleasant theme. You might as well be hearing this in Capcom’s other horror games, like Resident Evil.

Oh, and one of the thing that the Gigginox can do? Breed. On the spot. A mission before you fight it, you have to take care of small Giggi’s, it’s offspring. Then, when you actually do have to fight it, you find out where they come from. It regurgitates (Lays? I have no idea) it’s larval sac on the ground, and seconds later, its offspring emerge, wriggling and hungry.

...Ya know, I’m starting to think that this game’s kinda scary O_O.

images from http://monsterhunter.wikia.com, videos from Youtube.