Monster Hunter Wilds’ Rompopolo Wants To Be Khezu So Bad

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In Monster Hunter, the creatures are organized into groups such as Flying, Brute, Aquatic, and Temnoceran (which can be hard to understand). However, throughout the years, I’ve developed some additional classifications based on my own experiences.

Example: Tobi-Kadachi falls under the Very Good Boys group, whereas all spider-like creatures belong in the Nope! group. I’ve got categories for every monster – almost. The only exception is Khezu. Unlike any other monster, Khezu doesn’t fit into my existing groups because it’s hard to categorize. Plus, it’s so revolting that it needs its own separate quarantine category.

For quite some time now, the scaly, elongated creature known as Khezu has been comfortably categorized on its own. However, developers at Capcom seem to have a penchant for creating unusual characters, and have introduced another bizarre addition to the roster in Monster Hunter Worlds – a tiny, peculiar monster named Rompopolo. Interestingly enough, it seems that this newcomer aspires to be just like Khezu.

Rompopolo, Monster Hunter’s Latest Design Crime

First, I’ll give you an overview of Rompopolo, and each extra detail I provide may make you feel increasingly uneasy. Rompopolo is a sleek, black Brute Wyvern with two three-toed legs and tiny arms tipped with sharp claws resembling those of a praying mantis. Its head is round and lumpish, as if it has no skull or neckbone to support it. It possesses enormous eyes like giant bugs, a long beak reminiscent of a proboscis, and its tongue, which it flicks around like a worm on a hook, can emit toxic gas.

My dear one, we’ve only scratched the surface here. The enigmatic creature known as Rompopolo resembles its head in color and texture: black, glossy, and bumpy, adorned with massive expandable pouches filled with harmful gas. At the end of its tail is a formidable stinger it uses in combat, but interestingly, it can also push its tail into the ground to discharge gas into the oil reserves it feeds on. The most unsettling aspect? When Rompopolo fills its body sacs with gas, it then ejects these toxic fumes into the earth to trigger explosions, knocking its prey off balance. This provides an opportunity for Rompopolo to move in, climb onto its victim, and perform… well, we’re still not entirely sure what it does with that long, wriggling tongue of its.

The creature called Rompopolo is quite dreadful to witness. It’s a formidable challenge, not due to its powerful attacks, but because it’s best avoided altogether. Its pulsating and distended sacks emit gas that causes its entire body to shudder, either from the discomfort of swelling or from anticipation of feeding on you. It may very well be both. Opening the sacks can neutralize its explosive capabilities, but doing so only makes it more grotesque to behold. There’s no denying that Rompopolo is a nightmare. However, should it be compared to Khezu? I believe not hasty comparisons are in order.

There’s Only One Khezu

It’s obvious that Capcom aimed to rekindle the unsettling charm of Khezu with Rompopolo, and I must admit, Rompopolo is a real jerk I could have done without meeting. However, it’s important to acknowledge that he pales in comparison to the horror that Khezu embodies. In the end, there can only be one ruler of the freak show, and that title goes to the uncircumcised one.

It’s clear to many that Rompopolo bears some resemblance to Khezu, though not everyone may see it immediately. Let me explain why I think Rompopolo is at least a younger sibling of Khezu, despite its oily, dark appearance. The main reason lies in the fact that Rompopolo lacks the phallic, psychosexual characteristics that make Khezu so disturbing. While Rompopolo has a wet, fleshy form resembling a cluster of tumors, it doesn’t possess Khezu’s size and girth – if you understand my meaning.

I can’t figure out why I’m being secretive about it. The creature Khezu is essentially a giant, toothy phallic monster. It’s a slimy grey horror that lurks in cave ceilings, striking prey unaware by dropping down, extending its long, slime-covered neck to reveal its pulsating veins and arteries before immobilizing them and impregnating the victims with its offspring. I must say, Capcom, you set a high standard early on with this creation. There’s no need to try to scare us with grotesque monsters when Khezu is already beyond the line. You’ve ventured too far.

Rompopulo is undeniably a troublesome beast, and while it’s wonderful that Monster Hunter provides more than just various hued dragons, managing Khezu alongside Rompopulo feels similar to attempting the final round of Fear Factor’s bungee jumping after submerging contestants neck-deep in cockroaches.

Apologies, Capcom, but I’ve been deeply affected by the Rompopolo’s gas sacs to the point where I can no longer find interest. I hold you responsible for my emotional instability, as it was your creature, a rather unsettling phallic entity, that caused this. Until a Men in Black-like eraser or a Severance procedure becomes available, I must endure the lingering image. And until then, I’m afraid there’s little left for you to frighten me with in terms of strange, tiny creatures.

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2025-03-12 03:05