Monster Hunter World Game Review
Content Editor, Film Critic and Writer for ComiConverse.com, the Founder and co-host of the official Nerdcast Network Podcast
Monster Hunter World is the first big game of 2018, pushing the series in new areas. But does it work in bringing a new generation? Or does it fail? Our Jordan Samuel goes on the hunt.
Monster Hunter has been the significant success with Japanese audiences, with the highly addictive co-op themed gameplay bringing together fans of all ages. The 2004 original was a massive hit in Japan, even before internet-based games took over in the West. The games are beloved in the launch region, but largely forgotten in the west, with the public focused on generic shooters instead of gigantic RPG titles. I always been interested in checking out the series, due to the level of detail and addictive gameplay, but never made the jump into a land of endless monsters.
Capcom is planning to set a turn of events, introducing the long-running franchise to traditional western audiences with Monster Hunter World. Marking the franchise's mainline debut on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles, pushing the franchise into uncharted territory with a more significant marketing campaign and budget.
It's been a while since Monster Hunter has been consoles, but can Capcom make it work for new generations of fans. Does it complete the hunt for a new audience? Or fail in delivering a sense of weight to an already great franchise. ComiConverse reviews Monster Hunter World.
Monster Hunter World
Monster Hunter World is the most accessible, gigantic and detailed game in the series, Capcom retools mechanics to entice newcomers into a hunters paradise. Throwing away limitations from the Nintendo 3DS predecessor, embracing an open-world setup instead of the smaller worlds seen in the prior titles. The world takes full advantage of current generations hardware, with stunning visuals, 4K and HD support: making it one of the best looking games in a long time. Striking a bold and confident new era, with monsters and co-op elements staying true to the series beginnings.
The game does have a steep learning curve, with old habits from previous installments somehow creeping in, with a meaty tutorial which doesn’t treat newcomers with respect. At points, the player will be confused with the number of options, from complicated combo moves and traps. Luckily these moments don’t last for long, and after 20 years everyone should feel at home with these mechanics.
The maze-like structure is fleshed out, with a decent amount of variety from canyons to vibrant forests - you never will get bored of the overdone amounts of content. Making the release feel like a service, which should be arriving free content over time. Monsters are the primary series focus, with massive creatures baring a sharp blow from the swords and Monster Hunter World doubles in that regard. Each area within the game offers an ecosystem, with a working food chain of predators and prey.
Monster Hunter World
The transformation elements of every hunt and expedition embarked on, allow for a more adaptive experience making the Hunter always on their toes. You might be hunting a flying lizard, after punishing it with a solid steel sword, only to have a T-Rex-esque creature to interrupt the hunt. The time limit allows for more tense battles, as players will fight to skin a beast for the extrinsic reward.
A testament to how alive Monster Hunter World can get, especially with a group of other trained hunters. These moments allow you to try out different tactical and stealth approaches, as each location have various areas to explore. You can use a wrist-mounted Slinger to shoot anything in the game, from drawing a monsters attention to rocks.
This is a social Japanese role-playing game at heart, which relies on grinding for the next weapon upgrade or rare armor. But, despite these elements, nothing in Monster Hunter World feels repetitive, due to an insane amount of side quests involving fishing for an exotic item or delivering supplies for the base. World's expedition system allows for players to explore without time limits, taking in the level of detail put into these environments.
Combat is similar to the action role-playing series Dark Souls, with noticeable changes as the player relies on attacking monsters vulnerable parts and dodging. Once the beast is knocked out, the hunter can execute the creature with various combo moves. There are 14 different weapon types which can be used, including massive great swords and hammers which hit hard but are painfully slow, and daggers and shorter swords which can keep the beast down quicker. There, is even a third person shooter aspect with bows and bowguns, that pack a serious punch.
Monster Hunter World
If you haven't played a Monster Hunter game before, I recommend testing out the various weapons in the training modes to get up to speed. Changing weapons fequently should allow you to experience everything the game has to offer from a combat perspective and understand the vast mechanics. Unlike most online experiences, World doesn't explain everything at first instead pushes the players to figure out aspects while in the field.
Monster Hunter World is the best game in a long-running franchise and should be recommended for newcomers to jump into a grandiose world. The stunning visuals and monsters to slay, push into new territory with next-gen consoles, as everything just feels more alive. Capcom found the right balance between hardcore fans and newcomers, while not watering down elements that made it accessible in the first place.