Monster Hunter World Review
Developed by: Capcom
Published by: Capcom
Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Review by: Joseph Yaden
Ever since the announcement of Monster Hunter World at E3 of 2017, fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of the series to home consoles. Not only is this a departure from handhelds, but it’s the first entry on a Sony device in ten years. Even more noteworthy is the fact that it’s the first entry on a Microsoft platform. Monster Hunter has had a relationship with Nintendo for some time now, but due to the limitations of the 3DS, the games have always felt limited, at least from a technical standpoint. This is why fans have been so excited for a “true” entry in the series.
The gameplay in Monster Hunter has been notoriously difficult with a steep learning curve. Because of this, some players have complained about the difficulty. I even quit playing after my initial attempt. It seems like developer, Capcom, was made aware of this, because Monster Hunter World is the most accessible entry to date.
Nearly everything has been expanded and improved upon, from the production value, to slight mechanical adjustments. One of the biggest areas of confusion in older Monster Hunter games has been the lack of in-depth weapon tutorials. In this game, Capcom did a much better job of explaining the mechanics of each of the 14 weapons, even going so far as to include little videos for further elaboration. There are weapons for many play styles, from axes for slow and methodical players, and bows for players who like to attack from a distance, to even a simple sword and shield for newcomers.
The improvements don’t just stop there though. Gone is the confusion of trying to locate the targeted monster thanks to a handy tracker bug that reveals its location. By the same token, a monster’s location will remain on the map, eliminating the need for a paintball to track its whereabouts. Even the removal of loading screens between areas has been implemented, bringing the immersion to a new level, and alleviating some frustration.
At its core, this is an RPG, but unlike most games of that genre, the hunters themselves aren't leveled up, but rather the gear. In addition, the game feels like an MMO, but in a much more condensed, accessible way. Think Destiny or Tom Clancy’s The Division, where players are in a shared world. Sure, that isn’t much of a novel idea anymore, but Monster Hunter World still feels different.
The gameplay loop is just as addicting as the others: kill a giant monster to acquire resources to craft better gear to kill bigger, badder monsters. It’s a simple premise, but don’t be fooled, Monster Hunter World is shrouded in complexity. There are so many little features and mechanics, that it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but thanks to a thriving, positive online community, there is no shortage of information.
Playing online with others isn’t required, but it’s highly recommended. There’s something about getting three other buddies together to take down a gargantuan beast that feels oh so satisfying. What’s even better is having a group that compliments one another with equipment usage. One member could be the designated healer, but use a slow, heavy weapon, while another member could be in charge of traps and bombs. There’s a set up for nearly every play-style.
While slaying monsters is necessary to craft equipment (sorry, PETA members), there are also items that can be made by simply exploring the environments. Every so often I would pay a visit to each of the areas to gather resources to make health potions, traps, and items to manage stamina. This is just one example where Monster Hunter World shows its complexity. Nearly every item can be combined with another, and depending on preference, item farming may need to be done more frequently. Players hunting the Rathian will know the struggle of looking for materials to make antidotes to cure poison.
Upon completion of the main story, I had clocked in just under 50 hours, which, by Monster Hunter standards is pretty low. The game is so engaging and immersive, that I would have bet money I was only around the 25-hour mark when the credits rolled. As for the story itself, though, it’s quite laughable. I wasn’t expecting an amazing narrative, but I felt perplexed with the quality of the plot and characters. After a while, I found myself mashing buttons to skip the cutscenes, but to no avail, since they can’t be skipped. Although, suffering through the horrendous lip syncing and voice acting was bad, it was easy to shrug it off due to the near-perfect gameplay.
Without the hardware limitations of the 3DS, Capcom was able to create some of the most stunningly beautiful environments I have ever seen. It’s nice to know the artists were able to get closer to their vision by finally being able to develop for current gen consoles. These areas range from breathtaking rainforests, deserts, and my personal favorite, a coral barrier reef. The colors are magnificent, and at times, looking at the beauty made me forget I was playing a game about murdering dinosaurs. Even more impressive is that these areas are dense with multiple floors, making it hard to distinguish this from an open world game.
Within these gorgeous landscapes are the creatures that inhabit them, and they are the definitive stars of the show. Sure, the game starts with the traditional T-Rex we all know and love, but the monster variety quickly becomes just as dense as the mechanics that surround it. Many of the beasts are hybrids, like the Paolumu, a mix between a bat and a lizard. Some of the hybrids resemble chickens, while others feel like hard shelled bugs. If a chicken-dragon doesn’t seem deadly, just wait till you’re in its sights and can’t get away. These creatures aren’t just visually impressive, but their traversal and movement further exemplifies the usage of the hardware. Monsters don’t just stand still, but instead, react accordingly with grace and fluidity.
What I love about Monster Hunter World is that it isn’t afraid to get weird. A game seemingly about hunting monsters (go figure) throws in cat companions that cook food, silly little dance gestures, and even a pet pig that can be dressed in costumes! It’s nice to balance the seriousness of killing a giant dragon, with splashes of silliness.
It’s easy to see why even experienced players could get overwhelmed with the subtleties in this game. After all, I was 30 hours in before I started experimenting with harvesting crops, sending ships to gather materials, or even fishing. Calling this overwhelming is an understatement, and perhaps knowing this will steer you away from playing, but those that give it a chance will discover a rich, rewarding experience.
The migration from handheld to home console was necessary in the evolution of the series. The improvements aren’t just graphical, but in scope as well. While this game isn’t for everyone, Monster Hunter World is the best jumping on point for newcomers and improves upon old mechanics for long time veterans.
RATING: Good
The game is a quality experience and is recommended.
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