Paleontologist says Monster Hunter's monsters are 'a little' realistic, but if a lizard swallowed something that big it would have to sleep for a month

Paleontologist vs Monster Hunter: Could These Beasts Actually Exist? | Reality Check - YouTube

Finding and fighting Monster Hunter Wilds' unnatural monsters are, naturally, the game's core appeal. But while you're breaking the bones and carving the hides of these mythical beings, have you ever wondered: would a Rathlos actually move like that? Does Anjanath's crazy bone structure actually have some basis in reality?

Our latest series, Reality Check, pairs games with credentialed experts to answer important questions like this. In our latest episode, it's paleontologist Dr. Darren Naish taking a look at previous Monster Hunter games, giving them a generously serious appraisal to deliver insights about real-world biology. Did dragons decend from a singular ancient myth? No, it turns out!

We hope you enjoy this episode of this new video venture from PC Gamer. Check out our previous episode on The Sims' psychology, and look forward to another video coming soon dissecting the ledge-hopping of Assassin's Creed with real-life parkour performers.

Evan's a hardcore FPS enthusiast who joined PC Gamer in 2008. After an era spent publishing reviews, news, and cover features, he now oversees editorial operations for PC Gamer worldwide, including setting policy, training, and editing stories written by the wider team. His most-played FPSes are CS:GO, Team Fortress 2, Team Fortress Classic, Rainbow Six Siege, and Arma 2. His first multiplayer FPS was Quake 2, played on serial LAN in his uncle's basement, the ideal conditions for instilling a lifelong fondness for fragging. Evan also leads production of the PC Gaming Show, the annual E3 showcase event dedicated to PC gaming.