The “Monster Hunter” franchise celebrates 14 years of games with its newest title, “Monster Hunter: World,” releasing on PC.
“World” has been divisive for core fans since its release this January.
“Monster Hunter” has been known for its gratuitous complexity and deep upgrade system, making it difficult to pick up and play.
However, with the release of “World,” Capcom sought to reduce the complexity “Monster Hunter” is known for, in hopes of reaching a wider audience.
This is also the first international PC release for Monster Hunter, having released two MMORPGs (massive multiplayer online role-playing games) that were region locked to Japan.
Capcom saw sales increase dramatically, from its previous record of 4.9 million units for “Monster Hunter: Freedom 3” to 7.9 million units of “World.”
“Monster Hunter: World” was my first “Monster Hunter” game, meaning I fit the target demographic Capcom is trying to capture.
Having no previous experiences with the series, “World” felt both immersive and entertaining.
In “World,” you play as an elite “Hunter,” who is part of a larger expedition sent to the new world. Here you must battle flying T-rex, giant iguanas and even elder dragons.
On the way, you meet new characters and can even go on hunts with your friends via an expansive multiplayer.
This is what drew many new players to the game. Being able to explore incredible environments, like an above-water coral reef, and hunt fearsome dragons with your friends creates a unique gameplay experience.
The great thing about this game and the series is the emergent gameplay and replayability.
My experience hunting a specific monster could vary wildly from someone else’s or even my own when I choose to hunt it again.
The environment reacts to you and the monster you’re hunting, smaller creatures flee while the larger ones can even fight the monster you’re hunting.
This gives you a first-row seat to some monster mayhem.
This adds to replayability, making each time you hunt the same monster new and exciting.
The reviews online come with mixed reactions. Core fans say the new gameplay mechanics, meant to be quality-of-life upgrades, take away the grind of the game.
Upgrade materials are too easy to obtain, and hunting monsters becomes rote after the first few areas.
While I understand those critiques, I believe this title was necessary to keep the “Monster Hunter” series alive.
Capcom has almost doubled their userbase with just one release. With the added sales they can justify another release after “World”.
The next release in the series will hopefully reinstate some of the complexity and grind that “Monster Hunter” fans love while keeping it accessible for their new demographic.
If you’re still on the fence about the “Monster Hunter” series, then give “World” a try. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the greatest hunter the game has ever seen.
Griffen Winget can be reached at [email protected]