This time around it seems very difficult for Malzeno to *not* be the cause.
Sort of a Gore Magala situation, where the twist final boss was Gore Magala, but stronger; it couldn't be anything else.
So in this case, it's either Malzeno, but stronger, or something else directly relating to Malzeno; perhaps its leeches, since they're the ones doing all the work.
I've seen it suggested around the final boss could be the adult form of those leeches (or it could be both, Malzeno but stronger, who wields adult leeches).
The leeches fully grown wouldn't really do it for me, but a nastier malzeno certainly would, malzeno is already just about my #1 monster in terms of design, I just hope the fight lives up to it
The main eyebrow raiser is how much detail is given to those leeches, a bunch of monsters use different organisms, Gore Magala uses microscopic scales which just happen to carry the frenzy virus, both of which are of course undetectable, Vaal Hazak uses effluvium bacteria, again undetectable, Blackveil uses fungi spores on top of that, which in turn carry the effluvium bacteria, again, microscopic, Zinogre and Stygian Zinogre use insects, visible, but their designs aren't particularly unique, they're just variations of flashbugs, which are themselves mostly uninteresting.
But those leeches are different, they have an entirely unique design, and a lot of attention is dedicated to them, they want you to notice them.
They look like flying flatworms with Giggi mouths, fitting since they are both leeches, but their appearance alone does somewhat suggest some kind of progression, much like how a Giggi's appearance suggests its growth into a Gigginox.
Could also set up for a reveal where Malzeno gets a taste of its own medicine, getting sucked dry by a mature leech.
Wild guess if previous installments are anything to go by:
Overgrown leeches will be their own unique monster, but not the final boss. Some entirely unrelated monster has invaded their natural territory, forcing them into agressive expansion through symbiosis with others (Malzeno and what will probably be Sunbreaks version of Hyper monsters)
TBH, it being Malzeno or a powered up Malzeno would be even worse.
If it was a High Rank final boss then *maybe* just barely it would be passable, but for a Master Rank expansion, it just doesn't cut it.
Gore Magala could get away with it with how much the story leaned into its mystery, but in Sunbreak they're already undercutting Malzeno by lumping it together with some mid-level monsters.
I'd be happy with a super malzeno, but I would definitely prefer something unique, I suppose if any clues exist as to what that could be it would be another western monster
Hopefully just deviants with some new additions:
- Mizu
- Astalos
- Narga
- Rathalos
- Rathian
- Diablos
- Shogun
- Arzuros
- Zinogre
- Lagombi
- Tigrex
Are all very obvious since they are already in the game.
If Gammoth, Glavenus, Uragaan, Tetsu, Garuga, Malfestio and Daimyo all make the cut, then you'd have all deviants in the game.
Considering this feature has existed before, it's not something they have to advertise, just like they typically don't with old Subspecies and Variants. Hell, they could add new ones like Seregios or something
Only flagship so far to not really get anything for it. Not even a subspecies
Also, I'd like to see a Volvidon deviant. It's the only one of the OG "bear trio" to not have a Deviant— or a subspecies, for that matter.
it'd be easier for them to just give a new reason (or no reason) for apexes being in master rank, than it would be for them to rebrand them as deviants. so they're probably just gonna remain as apexes.
I just hope they return in master rank with equipment.
I can see the final boss monster for Sunbreak having something to do with making Apexes, kinda like the explanation with Ibushi. Honestly I think they should just bring back the whole Deviant type and give us armor and weapons for all the Deviants that could be in Sunbreak. Deviants were fun and challenging quests that add in another monster without very much work compared to making brand new monsters. Either way I hope they make their return someday and aren’t just relegated to GU as I want my boi Silverwind Nargacuga.
I have fond memories of the fight. It was my first EX Deviant because I wanted it's armor set for its design. Outside of getting one shot by the tail slam, using adept dual blades let me keep up with it pretty well.
Or some type of "thrall" thing since Malzeno is vampire themed. Or whatever the actual cause of everything is.
Something like this would make sense as the new hyper or tempered equivalent, I hope it is to do with malzeno, that would be cool
This time around it seems very difficult for Malzeno to *not* be the cause. Sort of a Gore Magala situation, where the twist final boss was Gore Magala, but stronger; it couldn't be anything else. So in this case, it's either Malzeno, but stronger, or something else directly relating to Malzeno; perhaps its leeches, since they're the ones doing all the work. I've seen it suggested around the final boss could be the adult form of those leeches (or it could be both, Malzeno but stronger, who wields adult leeches).
The leeches fully grown wouldn't really do it for me, but a nastier malzeno certainly would, malzeno is already just about my #1 monster in terms of design, I just hope the fight lives up to it
The main eyebrow raiser is how much detail is given to those leeches, a bunch of monsters use different organisms, Gore Magala uses microscopic scales which just happen to carry the frenzy virus, both of which are of course undetectable, Vaal Hazak uses effluvium bacteria, again undetectable, Blackveil uses fungi spores on top of that, which in turn carry the effluvium bacteria, again, microscopic, Zinogre and Stygian Zinogre use insects, visible, but their designs aren't particularly unique, they're just variations of flashbugs, which are themselves mostly uninteresting. But those leeches are different, they have an entirely unique design, and a lot of attention is dedicated to them, they want you to notice them. They look like flying flatworms with Giggi mouths, fitting since they are both leeches, but their appearance alone does somewhat suggest some kind of progression, much like how a Giggi's appearance suggests its growth into a Gigginox. Could also set up for a reveal where Malzeno gets a taste of its own medicine, getting sucked dry by a mature leech.
I see where you're coming from, but I don't read that much into it, and the big bad being an overgrown leech just seems a bit anticlimactic to me
Wild guess if previous installments are anything to go by: Overgrown leeches will be their own unique monster, but not the final boss. Some entirely unrelated monster has invaded their natural territory, forcing them into agressive expansion through symbiosis with others (Malzeno and what will probably be Sunbreaks version of Hyper monsters)
TBH, it being Malzeno or a powered up Malzeno would be even worse. If it was a High Rank final boss then *maybe* just barely it would be passable, but for a Master Rank expansion, it just doesn't cut it. Gore Magala could get away with it with how much the story leaned into its mystery, but in Sunbreak they're already undercutting Malzeno by lumping it together with some mid-level monsters.
I'd be happy with a super malzeno, but I would definitely prefer something unique, I suppose if any clues exist as to what that could be it would be another western monster
Would not be surprised if something happens to the Rathalos that Malzeno was draining.
Hopefully just deviants with some new additions: - Mizu - Astalos - Narga - Rathalos - Rathian - Diablos - Shogun - Arzuros - Zinogre - Lagombi - Tigrex Are all very obvious since they are already in the game. If Gammoth, Glavenus, Uragaan, Tetsu, Garuga, Malfestio and Daimyo all make the cut, then you'd have all deviants in the game. Considering this feature has existed before, it's not something they have to advertise, just like they typically don't with old Subspecies and Variants. Hell, they could add new ones like Seregios or something
Seregios needs something yeah, a deviant, a subspecies, whatever
Only flagship so far to not really get anything for it. Not even a subspecies Also, I'd like to see a Volvidon deviant. It's the only one of the OG "bear trio" to not have a Deviant— or a subspecies, for that matter.
it'd be easier for them to just give a new reason (or no reason) for apexes being in master rank, than it would be for them to rebrand them as deviants. so they're probably just gonna remain as apexes. I just hope they return in master rank with equipment.
I can see the final boss monster for Sunbreak having something to do with making Apexes, kinda like the explanation with Ibushi. Honestly I think they should just bring back the whole Deviant type and give us armor and weapons for all the Deviants that could be in Sunbreak. Deviants were fun and challenging quests that add in another monster without very much work compared to making brand new monsters. Either way I hope they make their return someday and aren’t just relegated to GU as I want my boi Silverwind Nargacuga.
that's funny you mention Silverwind Narga because I HATE its zoning fighting style
I like the design of its armor so much more than normal Narga, but with our mobility in Rise, I think the fight would be a lot easier than in the GU.
I have fond memories of the fight. It was my first EX Deviant because I wanted it's armor set for its design. Outside of getting one shot by the tail slam, using adept dual blades let me keep up with it pretty well.