Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Review

This series has always interested me, I even had the first one for PSP, but unfortunately, I could just never find anyone to play it with, which is a shame, as it does certainly look like it could have Phantasy Star Online levels of multiplayer awesomeness.

Yeah, I'm in a similar boat. I had the first game but never had the patience to get far in it. The combat was just too bloody frustrating. I was very interested in this, but the review suggests that it retains all the things I hated about the first game, and as such, I won't be buying it.

You don't need anyone to play it with i did 150hrs+ on the previous monster hunter without mulitiplayer...
It's just a bonus if you do find someone.
Is a good game and am tempted to get this new version but dunno if i have the time to invest again...
Am interested to see what the wii version turns out like.

This game seems like some sort of mad S&M adventure!

All the way through it beats ten shades out of you, but at the end of it your relishing in the damn brutality of it all. What is it about this that has excited Japan so much...something in the water?

I think this is definitly a "try before buy". Not due to the quality, of which it certainly seems to impress, but more down to the fact that I like to enjoy my games and not come out the other end covered in bruises and walking like a cowboy....*cough*

Roll on next friday!! Best game property evah!

I'd pretty much only play it if I could get some online co-op. It apparently supports ad-hoc party, what ever that is, on the PS3, but it all seems like smoke and mirrors.

What a relief! Just about every word of this review echoes my feelings for Monster Hunter precisely.

I wonder if they'll offer it as a download on PSN for prospective PSP Go customers?

Capcom are trying to do their bit for helping people to meet up in London at least...

http://www.capcom-europe.com/forum/showt...

Right, now I'm really missing my PSP :-(

Ok you can use your PS3 if you have one to make this game 'online'

Q: What's this "Ad Hoc Party" you speak of?
A: An application you download from the PS3 PS Store.

It let's the PS3 function as a gateway turning Local Wi-fi Only PSP games into true online games.

Basically it fools the PSP into believing there are other PSP gamers around you, the info being sent across the internet between the PS3's.

It's a tunneling service. And you can also use a Bluetooth headset to speak with your opponents.

A game that makes you work for your levels, good stuff.

I really can't get into Monster Hunter. I have tried though, haven invested about 50 odd hours, and totally agree with the review still, it's just not for me.

I'm in the same boat DFAWKES.

@only_one_t

Ooh, I might have to pop down to that. Cheers mate!

MHF2 is easily my favourite game on the PSP. Put hundreds of hours into it, about half of which was in a group.

Which way round did the social play thing happen in Japan? Was it that people played handheld games together already, or did they start doing it because of Monster Hunter? If it's the latter, then could the same happen here given a decent marketing push?

oh the shame!

Arent the controls absolute ass?

Really great review, this is one of my fave games ever, nothing comes close to the feeling of downing that bitch of a monster who has been giving you a hard time for ages.

I've never played multiplayer and I am HR5 now, and theres solo players a lot higher level than me.

For me, the lack of a camera and character lock-on feature turns the game into an aggrivating struggle against game design that is actually being enthusiastic about being bad.
Capcom have had a load of chances to fix it - and thats what it is, its a fix that needs implementing. Its not a fun and intuitive design decision that was implemented for a reason, its something thats broken and needs fixing - but they never have, and I aint falling for another Monster Hunter game until they do.
I had loads of fun grinding through Phantasy Star Portable - which had nice and intuitive controls (with lock-on, thanks Sega) so I guess I'm up for a game in a similar vein, but fighting controls is not fun. Never was, never will be.

Shhhhh, dont talk about Monster Hunter and mention the words 'Lock on'

I played Phantasy Star Portable as well but thats a nothing game compared to the might of Monster Hunter.

Having played the others I can honestly say I am most certainly not up for the challenge!

Sad I know but, I know when I'm beat and this game beat me like a naughty schoolboy who just broke the headmasters prize ming vase!

Despite the review claiming that it's best to play with others, is it still enjoyable (and finishable) on your own? Don't really like to be dependent on others... ;)

Guessing its only younger gamers who have grown up with the feature that are pleading for lock-on. Us grizzled vets can aim manually thanks a lot, gotta buy it!

Also, there are so many targets on some of the monsters, it would take too long to cycle to the right aim point in the heat of combat, no?

A lock on wouldnt really help anyway, it's not like Phantasy star where you can just whack the enemies anywhere. I think having a lock on would diminish the satifaction of lining up your hammer to knock Los square in the face knocking him out.

When I started playing MH I did think why is there no lock on option by now a 150 odd hours in I wouldnt have it any other way.

The whole thing with Monster Hunter, from collecting, to crafting, to combat...is it all feels very organic. Every action has inertia. There's a slight recovery delay after quaffing a potion, pulling yourself up on a ledge, getting up from being knocked down or back...it all has a real heft to it which is immensely satisying. When your character goes back to base camp and lies down on the bed to recover for example...he then has to sit up, look around, stand up, stretch, settle, all before you can venture on your way.

Something as effete as a lock-on system would just be completely out of step with the rest of the game. Everything is measured, including lining up a beast for a good thwack with a Great Sword. You soon learn to appreciate and then utterly love this quality that pervades the game.

Is Monster Hunter finally getting the recognition it deserves in Europe? :')

This review really made me happy and does the game a lot of justice it didn't receive in the past. I remember the disappointing 6/10 it was given and how most gamers fleed the franchise as a result.

This is truly not a game for everyone, but please try the game at least and I can guarantee that if you stick to it and like the Action RPG style, you'll love Monster Hunter.

Friends are a plus, they make the game less tedious and add social dimension to it, but they're in no way necessary to enjoy the full content as a solo player with the right skills can go all the way to the end. (Fatalis is a bitch, keep in mind if you try solo. :p)

Thank you Eurogamer, you finally tested this game properly.

-Dekyriel

To all those defending the lack of a lock-on function, nice try, but I spent several hours across the PS2 and first PSP game trying to struggle with its horrible-ass camera, and my conclusion is that it is not fun and it makes the game a pain in the ass to play.

I'm calling Stockholm syndrome on anybody that claims otherwise :P

I can understand why some people enjoy these games..

But at the same time, I can see why they've never performed well outside of Japan. The series has potiential but the games just have so many problems. In all fairness, I haven't played this version, but it doesn't seem to be addressing any of the serious problems. The bottom line is that it's just very inaccessable to new players. Slow loading when you're constantly switching between areas, bad tutorials, slow and clunky menu's, bad interfaces, difficult combat system, etc, etc.

With games like Pokemon and even things like Phantasy Star Online, there's a lot of depth, but the core gameplay is easy to pick up and play, very easy to get into it, and you'll begin to understand the more complex elements as you go. That's not the case with Monster Hunter.

meh. the lock-on. once you learn to rotate the camera while rolling out of the way you don't need one. you have all the time in the world to take your finger from the movement and adjust the camera instead. as everything else in the game, once you learn to do it, it's no biggie. on the contrary. I wouldn't go with a lock on even if there was one. if your camera kept constantly on the boss, you'd miss on all the surroundings. and I'm still convinced that lining up for a blow on a specific area of the wyvern would be much more cumbersome locking on it.

"Friends are a plus, they make the game less tedious and add social dimension to it, but they're in no way necessary to enjoy the full content as a solo player with the right skills can go all the way to the end. (Fatalis is a bitch, keep in mind if you try solo. :p)"

Thanks! Will pre-order it. Love a challenge once in a while :)

It really is a good game isn't it :)

8/10. Didn't see that one coming.

Is it just me or would the rest of you love a PS3 game of Monster Hunter alsow?

Nah, I've got Demon's Souls. It's even better.

I've ordered the EU PSP Monster Hunter Freedom Unite bundle thingy, purely for this game. I've held off buying a PSP for a long time... the DS receives much love... but no longer. I must hunt monsters. I must.

"Nah, I've got Demon's Souls. It's even better."

Wished that my copy would arrive soon. It's been posted a little over 2 weeks ago from Hong Kong. Normally, it would have been here by now. Hope it didn't get lost. Though that's happened only once so far.

I love the look of this, and would really like to give it a try, but the closing comment about the patience, persistence and huge challenge just make me realise it's not for me, shame :(

Was questing last night on ad hoc party with Soviet from Eurogamers and my son and a randomer...was a great laugh as you can use your mics. Stunning little game...its like boss battles from MMOs without all the tedious crap in between.

Lock on feature would ruin this game, its all about skill. Ive knocked up about 60 hours now on MHF2, so ill be importing my saves into Unite once I buy it.

Cant wait.

Also, there is a usergourp on Eurogamers for MonterHunter fans in case anyone feels like joining and arranging online parties via the Japanese Adhoc program.





EG usergroup for MH fans



A thread on how to download and setup Adhoc party from the Japanese store

thanks for the link daemon, defo gunna pick this up now I can set up the adhock...

I don't get this game. I downloaded the demo and struggled through the first two levels, but didn't find much fun in it. Maybe this is better as a multiplayer game?

@ Bifferboy

The demo lets you play in advanced armour/weaponry against enemies that show up later in the game (from what I've seen). The fun arises where you start from zero and work your way up through the missions, being able to create/buy more powerful items and discover new and tough monsters that are a challenge to bring down - and very rewarding once accomplished.

You need a lot of patience to get through the first couple of hours but then there's a point where you're either hopelessly addicted or realise it's not for you. Multiplayer is supposed to be amazing if you have enough friends/use the infrastructure workaround. Haven't used it myself as I'm still in the early stages of freedom 2, after putting at least 20 hours into it.

love this series, it never gets the credit it deserves though, i think the difficuilty is just to much for most gamers outside of japan and it will always drag behind what it could be. but once your hooked all other games on the psp seem half baked.

For anyone who's afraid of this game, or isn't sure if it's for them, here's the deal on the controversial bits.

The first few hours are spent doing the tuturials. Resist the urge to think of them as busywork or filler, and see them for what they are - a chance to try out the 11 radically different weapon classes, and pick the one(s) that appeal to you. Yes, the game starts somewhat slowly, but on the other hand, you can become totally immersed in this world during the initial push.

Next up is the complexity of combat. Easy fix - I recommend starting the game with the Sword&Shield weapon - stick with it for the next 8 to 10 hours. You'll learn the fundamentals of blocking, attacking, and evasion - which will serve you well. Also, this weapon doesn't have the low mobility and recovery speed of the other types, so you'll learn to stick and move - a skill that will pay off in spades once you move to a bigger, slower weapon.

Afraid to play it alone? Don't be. I've got 215 hours in on Monster Hunter 2, and probably 85% of that was solo play. 2- to 4-player co-op IS awesome, but I've completed a massive chunk of the game alone and had a lot of fun doing it. Also, as others have mentioned, you can play online with other people using Ad-Hoc Party if you have access to a Playstation 3.

Finally - and this will be the make-or-break for a lot of people - the camera. Let me jump to the end and tell you this: once you get the hang of it, you will appreciate the camera in this game above any other. It just takes getting your brain around its unique approach. The fact is, no, there's no lock-on. The Left Trigger snaps the camera to your character's facing direction. Now, if this was the only control for the camera, that would be a huge problem - it's not ideal in all cases. Fortunately, there's another method to control the camera, and once you master it, you'll never want to go back: full manual control using the D-Pad.

The D-Pad, you say? What good is that? How could you possibly make use of it during a complex fight? You can. Here's how.

Monster Hunter pros still use their left thumb on the Analog Nub. That part is obvious. But here's what you do, once you work up to it: forget all about the existence of that Left Trigger... move your left index finger to the front of the PSP... and lay it across the left/right controls on the D-pad.

It's that simple - you now have full camera control. Even while against a wall. Even while rolling. Once you get comfortable with this, you will literally never use that Left Trigger again.

This technique is surprisingly easy to use, because 49 times out of 50, you'll never need to adjust the camera vertically (using up and down on the D-pad). Most of the tracking you do will be side-to-side, which is very acheivable using that index finger. With practice, you will find that you can control both the analog stick and the D-pad without even thinking about it, seamlessly modifying the camera's position even during evasive rolls or after being swept to the side by a monstrous tail. You won't pick it up in ten minutes, but once you do, you will literally hate the stifling lack of camera freedom in any other game. (I've reached the point where I can control both camera axes in realtime using this trick; it's no more difficult than practicing a children's piano song over and over until you can do it without thinking. It just takes a little practice.) Your finger will hurt a bit in the new position for about a day, and then you'll never notice it again.

Again, if you're afraid of this solution, don't be. You don't have to jump right into using it, it's not necessary. In reality, here's what the evolution looks like for most players: you'll start out the game using the Left Trigger to constantly recenter your view. It won't be perfect, but it'll get you through the first 20 or so hours with some complaints. The monsters in this phase are generally smaller, so you won't get into too many disorienting positions for now. Once you've gotten the hang of using the Left Shoulder to actively control your view, you'll find it's not too hard to remap the controls in your brain to using your pointer finger on the D-pad. You'll start trying it once in a while, in extreme circumstances where you've been knocked fifty feet and lost sight of the monster. And it'll work. You will start relying on it more, until eventually you're just unconsciously keeping that monster in view all the time, without even thinking about it. And it's glorious.

Alternatively, if you're the adventurous type, you can start using this method right from the start, and avoid the whole "hating the camera" thing altogether. :)

Three more free tips:

1) Start each mission by adjusting the camera one click down. The default view shows you too much sky; it's unnecessary, and getting a better view of your position on the ground (and that giant monster's legs) will help you a lot.

2) If you're an inverted camera guy like me, you can reverse the Y (or even the X) axis in the options menu. You can even change it independently for camera control and 1st-person weapon aiming.

3) This game was made for the Sleep feature. Seriously. Stop anytime, start right back up anytime - it's a perfect portable game.

Long story short: don't skip this game out of fear of its complexity (or the camera comments). You will miss out on one of the coolest game series ever made. One year ago, I had never heard of Monster Hunter... I picked up MH2 Freedom on sale for $20 US on a total whim, popped it in, and literally put over 200 hours into it without ever removing the UMD. This series is now permanently anchored in my top three favorite game series of all time. It's that fantastic. It takes commitment, but it's satisfying in a way that few games are.

As for other improvements, I just transferred my MH2 character to Unite, and I'm loving all the little interface clean-ups and item storage/combining/farming shortcuts. Barring the supposedly "broken" camera, the devs have really sanded the rough edges off of the most commonly-used stuff.

Sorry for the length of this post! I’m just trying to adequately address the common complaints that may scare people off. Give the game a shot... you may find a long and happy relationship, just like I did.

Can someone acctualy go online theres no one online, if you go on go in the great hall 1.

Can someone acctualy go online theres no one online, if you go on go in the great hall 1.

I took the plunge and bought this, so glad I did.. what a real PSP treat.

@pootz - thanks for the d-pad tip, defo give that a go later.

and @ whoever '-1' my comment on thanking somebody for a link.. way to go knob head.

This is a great review. Thanks it made me buy...
Did someone say X-link Kai. The perfect piece to the monstewr hunter puzzle!

So yeah, bought it, loving it :-)

The biggest stumbling block non-fans have with the series is the punishing learning curve.
I used to be one of those people,having tried and pitched the previous versions, but decided to pick this one up anyway, at least to see if the felynes helped out at all in combat.

They do. If you tried the earlier ones and threw them away in frustration, but see that the game was great looking and had potential, you owe it to yourself to try out this version. The cats make life a lot easier, allowing you the opportunity to watch the beasts get attacked by the baddies, and learn the attack patterns. Still not "easy", but at least a whole lot less frustrating than before, for those of us who didn't have the patience for the MH Way.