Otomo Ailu

Completely new to the series and a heavily advertised feature, the Otomo Ailu (Ailu Companion) allows players to bring the lovable cats to most of their offline quests (except Training School, Treasure Hunt and quests with monsters like Lao Shan Lung). According to Ryouzou Tsujimoto, the feature was added to make certain quests in single player mode easier and also to recreate the multiplayer feel that single player modes are lacking. While players may not be able to bring their Ailus to multiplayer quests, players can exchange Otomo Ailus with fellow hunters via Otomo Download and Otomo Transfer, more info below. Although most of the screens so far shows three, the amount of Otomo Ailu that players can have at anytime is still unknown.

Available from the traveling Cat Woman in the village, different Ailu will have different attributes and characteristics, like some of naughtier ones love to bully the smaller monsters or even freak out every time they see a monster.

Just like employing a Felyne chef, Otomo Ailu has their own status box. Eight types of status can be seen from the screen above, some of the status are name of the original owner, Otomo level, attack, defense, sweetness (more loves mean more helpful) and character.

Otomo Ailu will stay in the kitchen with the Felyne chef, a look at the board inside reveals options for them.

Their attributes can be improved in the kitchen with training, there are five trainings available (fighting, muscle, abdomen, etc).

The Ailus will put on their own armors.

They can switch job and turn into a Felyne chef or vice versa if needed.

When player returns to the camp for a little nap and health recovery, our Otomo Ailu will not miss the chance to have a rest as well.

Barbecue for meat won’t be so boring anymore with an Ailu around.

Fish is cat’s favorite food, I wonder if the Ailu will want a share of the catch as well.

Players don’t have to worry about Ailu’s safety during their quests as the Ailus will know when to start digging hole when they are really hurt. They will reappear once regaining their health and they will not die in a quest. Ailu’s performance during quests will not affect player’s rewards once the quest is completed.

Ailu can launch their own attack, I wonder how much damage that stick can inflicts on the Daimyou Zazami. However, Capcom confirmed there will be weapons for Ailus.

Ailu with a flute, should be useful to draw the monster’s attention.

Probably the most useful help an Ailu can provide is to throw bombs, hopefully it always throw the biggest bombs!

Ailu defending itself from an attack.

Otomo Exchange

Player can exchange their Otomo Ailus with other players. Exchanged Ailus will tell you a little bit about their previous owner too! These are basic info like the owner’s favorite weapons, game time and things like that. An interesting point to note is that players will not lose the Otomo Ailus that they spent so much time training, exchanged Otomo Ailu will stay with their owners. There are two ways to do Otomo Exchange.

The most direct way is to enter the Guild Hall with your fellow hunters and choose the “Otomo Transfer” option from the menu to part company with your Otomo Ailu.

To exchange Otomo Ailu anytime, anywhere and with anybody, you need to turn on the “Otomo Download” option (when in kitchen) and your PSP’s wireless switch. Your PSP will then go into Sleep Mode and will detect any other players around that turn on the feature as well.

Otomo Skills

Like weapons and armors, the Otomo Ailus will have elemental attributes or special skills that will boost its attack or defense.

Otomo Skills can be learned in the kitchen with the use of Otomo Points. The points are given after each hunting trip. A maximum of three skills can be learned at any one time, these skills can be unlearn to pick up new one as well.

Otomo Ailu Gallery