Monster Hunter Tri Review

By Dan Pearson Published 16 April, 2010

Tri force.

Version tested: Wii

Monster Hunter is, fittingly, quite the behemoth - a massive game in terms of both content and, elsewhere, popularity. To extend that analogy, it's also a game which has always tended to either consume people entirely, or frighten them off before they've really had a chance to engage with it.

It's seen tremendous success in Japan, being a massive system-seller for the beleaguered PSP, but a steep difficulty curve and a lack of sensible online options have always relegated it to the status of a niche classic in the West. It makes sense, then, that its appearance on Wii with Tri is an attempt to address those issues.

However, Monster Hunter is in the awkward position of seeing many of the same points on both sides of its love/hate balance sheet. To some extent, ameliorating the concerns of the haters would mean alienating an incredibly dedicated and loyal fanbase.

Happily, Tri has done an excellent job of juggling these concerns, shaving the thin edge of the wedge enough to bring new players into the fold without trivialising the satisfaction and sense of incredible achievement which the tougher challenges in the endgame provide.

'Monster Hunter Tri' Screenshot 1

Weaponry is just as preposterous as ever, with the new Switch Axe performing well.

For anyone who's played a Monster Hunter game before, this is immediately apparent in the opening stages. Freedom Unite, the previous title, had a 'tutorial' section which lasted hours, with sudden difficulty spikes and viciously unforgiving battles waiting just beyond to drive off all but the most determined. Tri's beginning is a totally different affair, introducing the game's mechanics in easily digestible chunks without asking the same leaps of faith in deferred gratification.

It's still about eight hours before players will find themselves involved in the real meat of the game - whittling down the towering bastards who stalk the various environments and making them into weapons and armour - but everything leading up to that has been streamlined and explained in a far more enjoyable way.

Monster Hunter, you see, isn't just about hunting monsters. Getting to the stage where your hunter is well-equipped enough to take on one of the big boys is a hugely involved process of gathering, crafting, and honing technique. There's no experience, no levelling up - the only things you'll be improving are your equipment and inventory, from your weapons and armour to the huge array of potions, philtres and buff items.

'Monster Hunter Tri' Screenshot 2

On a big screen, Tri's detailed graphical approach can get a little blocky, but you're usually too busy being crushed to notice.

Monsters drop unique materials, which combine with more mundane items to produce themed armour sets and weaponry, usually with some of the qualities of that monster imbued within them. Head out and collect a few basic ores and you can visit the blacksmith to furnish yourself with a basic sword or breastplate, but to make anything more interesting you'll need to get out there and kill some stuff, carving skin and bones from the still-warm corpses to craft with. Now you're tougher, so you can go and kill some bigger stuff, meaning you can make better kit. Repeat, ad infinitum.

It makes for fantastically well-balanced and compulsive progression, each round of improvements bringing new challenges and advantages as you build your stockpile. As well as being crafted from scratch, weapons and armour can also be improved further from existing pieces, with the weapon trees in particular branching into wonderfully involved and inventive new forms across the seven classes. However, collecting materials also necessitates a lot of grind, repeating quests to slay the same monsters again and again as you harvest bulk materials and seek out elusive rares.

In many ways it's similar to an MMO's crafting mechanics, farming missions until you can make the kit which lets you go on to bigger and better things. The scope for experimentation is immense, with no clear 'best' sets to collect, instead encouraging the preferences and play-styles of individuals.

The single player begins in Moga Village, the colourful hub of operations where all of the vital preparation occurs between quests. To begin with it's a sparsely populated place, traumatised by recent earthquakes and monster infestations, with only basic shopping amenities available. Over the course of the next few hours, successful questing will see the introduction of the various different support systems and facilities which make the mutually dependent network of harvesting, crafting and hunting possible.

Like Freedom Unite, there are shops for basic provisions, as well as a forge, quest givers and a kitchen serving stat-boosting cuisine. Where Tri diverges from previous titles is in its new system of resource points and commodities.

Attached to Moga Village, and the only available area to begin with, are the Moga Hills - a varied and relatively timid environment where you can gather basic resources and encounter a few of the less lethal creatures. Questing here isn't like the traditional mission structure, with a set goal ending your session. Instead, it's free-form, allowing the player to wander indefinitely, as long as health, stamina and inventory space allows. Take a BBQ spit for roasting monster meat and everything else you'll need to survive can be gathered from Tri's newly regenerating resource points.

'Monster Hunter Tri' Screenshot 3

Poster-boy Lagiacrus isn't the most dangerous beast in the game by a long shot.

When you do decide to return to the village, the monsters you've killed and some of the items you've collected can be converted to resource points. These are the currency used to perform various village functions, notably the dispatch of the fishing boats and duties on the farm.

The farm will be familiar to fans - it's basically a way of cutting much of the grind out of essential resource production, allowing players to automatically maintain levels of basic materials without heading out on specific gathering quests. Meanwhile, pick a destination for the fishing fleet, fuel them with resources and special items and they'll trundle off and gather materials for you, many of which can't be picked up anywhere else. These fishing trips, and the growth of crops on the farm, take time, incorporating Tri's new day/night system. Each time a quest is completed, or a substantial Moga hills excursion undertaken, half a day passes and these systems all advance.

For players of the previous games, it's a system which takes some getting used to, but for newcomers it's a great way to encourage the proper time and resource management which makes a good player.

'Monster Hunter Tri' Screenshot 4

The two-player arena quests can be played in local co-op, facing off against small groups of monsters or single titans.

As for the quests proper, not a great deal has changed on the surface. Generally it's still you against both a set of monsters and the clock, with gathering quests and hunts for smaller enemies giving breathing space between the more involved missions to kill the bigger beasties. Tougher enemies still invariably involve several attempts, learning attack patterns, behaviours and weaknesses. They're still unforgiving and demanding - although perhaps a little less so during the earlier stages.

There are some significant changes in the subtleties, however, which have added a great deal to the experience. Sub-quests, for example, now prod the player in the direction of advanced techniques, rewarding hunters for cutting off tails or using traps. They're not mandatory, but you'll reap greater financial and material rewards if you do complete them, and they're often there to help point out the best way to go about a mission.

Your band of Felyne companions no longer accompanies you, sadly - replaced by the mildly annoying but ultimately more useful Cha-Cha. This little chap, introduced a few hours in, offers support in a number of ways, from buffing dances to direct melee attacks, as well as helping with gathering. His weird, quasi-Shakespearian childish patter grates, but he's more flexible and customisable than the Felynes were, with changeable masks and dances fine-tuning his combat style. Plus you can still batter him with a great sword if he rubs you up the wrong way.

The Wii's extra processing power and freedom from the PSP's small screen mean that even more enemies can now pile in simultaneously, with encounters with three large wyverns at once far from unusual. Obviously, when this happens it's basically time to show them your backside; even Tri's much-improved camera still gets stuck behind monsters sometimes, especially when there are a lot of them kicking around.

Multiple monsters do give players the chance to see the ecology system in action, however. Ecology might be a bit of an overstatement for the occasional bit of monster-on-monster action it produces, but the addition of (hidden) stamina gauges for large beasts mean that they'll sometimes need to nip off for a quick snack to recharge their energy. Prevent them from doing so and many of their attacks will start to falter and fail, making them far easier targets.

'Monster Hunter Tri' Screenshot 5

Beguiling little touches like the ridiculous pig costumes and the grilling music lighten the mood now and then when it all gets too much.

In terms of big changes, though, it's the addition of water environments which is most notable. Swimming is easily controlled and feels natural, with a generous oxygen bar refillable from numerous streams of bubbles from the sea or lake floor. Fighting underwater takes on a more measured, gradual pace - albeit no less exacting for that. In fact, some of the underwater enemies and battles are real highlights, the three-dimensional manoeuvrability and pacing they offer a welcome change from the generally chaotic land encounters.

What really stymied Freedom and Freedom Unite for many people was the difficulty of arranging online meetings, even with the PS3's Ad Hoc party system. Rest assured that, whilst Tri's online lobbies are a little antiquated, the system works extremely well. Players can warp to each other once they have the requisite IDs, names or friend codes, and four-player instances within the larger online areas mean that groups are easy to form and maintain. Obviously the servers weren't particularly thriving during my visits, two weeks before launch, but the impression was that once things get busy there's potential for a fantastic atmosphere. Pick yourself up a WiiSpeak and the experience steps up another notch, especially given the frantic nature of the game's battles.

'Monster Hunter Tri' Screenshot 6

Torches can be used to light dark areas and fend off some enemies.

There's so much more to talk about, but it's almost impossible to do justice to the scope of Monster Hunter without getting tiresome. If you've played any of the games before, and enjoyed them, then you'll find very little to fault here. Many of the frustrations and much of the wilful obfuscation are gone. Tri is noticeably slicker, smoother and more polished than any of its predecessors. Newcomers will probably be divided; Tri has certainly kept enough of its niggling peccadilloes and moments of tooth-shattering unfairness to annoy the less patient, but Tri is definitely the best way to introduce yourself to this incredibly involving and rewarding series.

Just remember, the bigger they come, the more likely they are to crush you mercilessly into a greasy pulp. But you'll go back, again and again, because what Monster Hunter does best is enrage you just enough. To prick your ego right to the point where it's about to burst, before suddenly rolling over for you to tickle its scaly belly with a 14-foot lance. Once it has its claws in you, you're over.

9 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Dan.

About Dan Pearson

Read more articles from Dan by visiting the Dan Pearson archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (107) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • coolbritannia #1 2 years ago

    This sounds awesome. 360 version please.

    Wow, -39, keep 'em coming. All those years with nothing decent to play finally cracks the Wii community.
    Edited by 1 at 17/04/10 @ 01:21

  • Murbal #2 2 years ago

    Noooooooooooooooooo! I can't afford it!

  • JetSetWilly #3 2 years ago

    What control scheme did you use, Dan?

  • Luckyjim #4 2 years ago

    Sweet. I was expecting an 8.

    Really looking forward to this now.

  • ShadowMountain #5 2 years ago

    Never played a Monster Hunter game before. Will check this out to see what all the fuss is about.

  • super_monty #6 2 years ago

    I would love this on a console with decent online capabilties, 360 version please, if not I might just have to climb into the loft and find the wii.

  • George-Roper #7 2 years ago

    Interesting. I've never played MH before either but i've been tracking this for a while now.

  • ZuluHero #8 2 years ago

    I only have the basic version of this on order - so ill just be using the nunchuck set up, how is it for that?

  • Luckyjim #9 2 years ago

    @ Shadow Maountain

    Don't be put off by the learning curve - probably why most westerners have never got it. It's a game that definitely rewards effort but it's so engaging.

  • figgis #10 2 years ago

    The control scheme for the wii remote looks like black voodoo.

  • Fletche #11 2 years ago

    Wasn't going to get it, but now I am, seen a few glowing reviews for this and would be mad to miss, what seems to be, one of the best games for the Wii so far

  • Alastair #12 2 years ago

    This sounds awesome, Wii version please.
    .
    .
    .
    Oh.

  • macmurphy #13 2 years ago

    Ii've asked a load of mates to get this so we can do co-op. We're all a bit older and bought Wiis for playing with our wives/girlfriends, and it's nice to see a Wii game to get excited about that we can play together.

    Just to say that a few sites have commented that the controls are a pain in the arse - IGN heavily recommended using a classic controller. I was going to go for the pack on amazon that gives you a classic controller pro (two shoulder button on each side and 'wings' to grip like most modern control pads) the game and Wii Speak for £55. If anyone sees a better deal I'd love to hear.

  • Goffee #14 2 years ago

    finally getting off the dinky PSP screen, my eyes will hopefully recover now!

  • Danbojones Verified Senior Staff Writer, GamesIndustry.biz #15 2 years ago

    @JetSetWilly I used the classic controller Pro, which is generally very good, apart from the odd use of the + button as a third attack option. It also makes mining etc a bit easier. Not sure how it plays with the nunchuck, but the classic pro is a nice, comfortable pad.
    Edited by 1 at 16/04/10 @ 14:18

  • muscleblade #16 2 years ago

    I would love a 360 version (neg me all you want), but having a daughter with a Wii i will be buying it on the Wii. No achievements, HD grapichs, or friendslists with party chat will be missed while im playing it though.

  • VeggieWokker #17 2 years ago

    So happy to see another generous score for Tri. I got to play it last week and I loved it, despite it being my first introduction to the series. So glad it's on the Wii. I'm getting another chance to play it tomorrow and after that it's just a few days until the mailman brings me my free copy.

  • BartonFink #18 2 years ago

    Sounds great pity it's on Wii

  • GamesConnoisseur #19 2 years ago

    Wonder if all PSP MH gamers are dead keen on Wii MH or? I never bothered with PSP version but intending to start with Wii's Tri

  • YenRug #20 2 years ago

    @muscleblade

    It supports WiiSpeak, so party chat is easily enabled by buying one.

  • Rush2112 #21 2 years ago

    Just wanted to confirm that the game doesn't run in 480p. Environments are lovely, though, but it lacks definition in places. Still a wonderful game - I'm 20 hours in.

  • Joco84 #22 2 years ago

    Arrggghh! I want this game so bad, but I've got a mountain of unfinished games that I need to finish first.

    Good to see its got glowing reviews, but my bank balance just can't handle it!

  • ryandsimmons #23 2 years ago

    It would have been nice if the article had mentioned how the wii controls work on it.

    Or at least mentioned that the classic controller was used as not all versions of the game come with it.

  • swissorc #24 2 years ago

    I'm glad you liked it EG I am also glad that websites do not seem to be confusing learning curves and skill development for gaming flaws etc. I am a bit worried that this will never get the community I want to. But, I will buy it love and keep it in my drive for a very long time to come. P.S Sorry EAD galaxy will have to wait.

  • rosshuts #25 2 years ago

    This sounds awesome. The others before have really frustrated me and then somehow something clicks just at the point of giving up and the fun flows through. Can't wait for my copy! Very rewarding game if you stick at it!

  • Gearskin #26 2 years ago

    Shelved freedom unite. hello tri.

  • Ceatlan #27 2 years ago

    Is this game any good and worth getting if you have no interest in ever playing it multiplayer ?

  • Danbojones Verified Senior Staff Writer, GamesIndustry.biz #28 2 years ago

    @Ceatlan
    Single player is much more of option with Tri than it has been before, you can still easily sink 60 hours plus into it.

  • muscleblade #29 2 years ago

    @YenRug

    Im sorry. Wii speak doesnt do party chat with people playing different games. I like to chat with friends that i dont neccesary play with. If you think Wii speak is anything like Xbox Live party chat you are way off. The Wii or PS3 doesnt offer anything like Live when it comes to this.

  • mowgli #30 2 years ago

    I wish I still had my Wii for this.

    Actually I I'd rather they just stick it on the 360/PS3.

  • Inigo #31 2 years ago

    Its only £30 on amazon, it does sound really cool.

  • Lepperman #32 2 years ago

    Never played one of these. How does the battling work? Is it turn based or free form?

  • super_monty #33 2 years ago

    To get the best out of this game do I habe to buy another controller and wii speak?

  • Charlie_Miso #34 2 years ago

    Fuck the dickheads having a whinge it's not on another platform.

  • Segnit #35 2 years ago

    I pre-ordered this for the control. This review is SUCH a bonus! Now I can't wait!

  • Danbojones Verified Senior Staff Writer, GamesIndustry.biz #36 2 years ago

    @Lepperman This will give you a good idea of the gameplay.

  • sonicyoda #37 2 years ago

    Only one dusty Wii joke!?

    Seems to be a lot of calls for a 360/PS3 version though. Haven't you figured out how console exclusives work yet?

    Either way, I really want to see this do well. I will be purchasing to do my part ;)

  • super_monty #38 2 years ago

    It does look awesome, but I want to see some online play with working voice chat before I make a purchase.

  • Malek86 #39 2 years ago

    I wonder why so many people speak of the PSP games as if they were some sort of hellish, absurdly difficult task. Sure this one starts slower to give you a easier hang of things, and the difficulty has been somewhat lowered, but it's not like the PSP games were impossible. MHFU was my first foray in the series, and I still got into it quite easily. Just like with Demon's Souls, I wonder if some people like to make it sound harder than it actually is.

    @Rush2112: the game definitely doesn't run in 480p, this is easily noticeable if you run it side-to-side with the japanese-only MHG. I guess the better models and textures have taken their toll on the system. MHG was basically just a PS2 port, so adding proper 480p must have been easy enough. The game is razor sharp as a result.
    Edited by 1 at 16/04/10 @ 15:48

  • spekkeh #40 2 years ago

    After FF13 I'm a bit apprehensive about the 'invest some time in it', 'just get past the first few hours', etc. Is this game still fun during the tutorial hours? My time is slightly more valuable than most Japanese otaku's I'm afraid.

  • finexi #41 2 years ago

    Is this free of monthly charges?

  • onyxbox #42 2 years ago

    I wonder if this will turn up on PS3 @ E3?

    ;-)

  • EvilBob_leeds #43 2 years ago

    Good review. Going onto my increasingly lengthy "to buy" list.

  • Alastair #44 2 years ago

    @finexi Yes it's free online.

  • raion #45 2 years ago

    as a MH veteran from the very start on the PS2 (if I used that word to define myself in any MH specific message board, they'd flame the s[biological waste]t outta me, bunch of elitist f[rude intercourse synonym]s), what I was most interested in was this supposed ecosystem. So, does the small fry still charge you on when you're busy with a skyscraper's worth of a beast, or do they flee in terror as any being with a sense of self preservation should?
    No matter, either way I'll find out soon enough, as there is no chance I'll be passing this one up.
    I mean, this game is the excuse I used to allow myself to buy a Wii on the first place.

    @spekkeh: I understand what you mean. I can't speak for FF as I haven't played it yet, but as far as MH is concerned think of it this way: it's like learning to play a musical instrument. I takes work to learn the basics and it's going to take quite some time before you get confident enough to actually begin to enojoy it. Speaking for myself, no, I didn't much enjoy the very early stages of the game, but... oh, boy, when I first downed that Rathalos I was hooked for life.
    Edited by 1 at 16/04/10 @ 16:29

  • drumbaby #46 2 years ago

    I do want this, but want nothing else on the Wii (or the Wii itself tbh) so

    >sob<

    I will have to pass. Sorry Capcom.

  • FogHeart #47 2 years ago

    Looks like the comments for Wii games often go like this:-

    1-5 : Wiilol etc
    6-7 : Third parties shouldn't bother with the Wii OR Nintendo have lost it haven't they
    8-10 : I wish this was on a 'proper' platform OR Nintendo only make cartoon games for children

    Well (and I know this probably flips you from hitten green to hitting red) but I'm with Mr Charlie. Bit sick of the above.

  • Accordi0n #48 2 years ago

    I think i'll wait to see how the PSP version compares before i decide which to buy.

    I like the sound of all the new farming systems and the hills area, so if the PSP retains all that then i'll go with that. I think i live without underwater levels…

  • Beano #49 2 years ago

    Nice... bring it on :)

  • FladgeMangle #50 2 years ago

    @ raion

    "...it's like learning to play a musical instrument"

    That's a perfect analogy! Sums up the whole MH experience in a nutshell.

    Ah, that first Rathian... I actually threw the game disc across the room at one stage. Once I'd finally killed it there was no hope for me. I was forever hooked.
    Edited by 1 at 16/04/10 @ 16:53

  • Canyarion #51 2 years ago

    @FogHeart
    What are you talking about? The comments here aren't like that. There's only a couple of 'I wish this was for 360', the rest is from happy Wii owners.

    I didn't think I would buy this game, but now I'm really not sure... I might go for the Classic Pro bundle.

  • Death-Jester #52 2 years ago

    Bah, this game sounds like it has all of my favourite things: Craftings, gathering, killing and more crafting (oh, and base management!), plus I heard there is some kind of house you can own and improve.

    Pity I don't own a Wii, and have no intention of buying one :(
    Please port this to PC, 360 or PS3!

  • butler` #53 2 years ago

    I might actually borrow my gf's Wii to give this a try. But like others would prefer this on 360/PS3.

  • Hexagon #54 2 years ago

    I must be too used to paying PlayStation 3 game prices. Monster Hunter Tri has got some affordable pricing going!

  • Kilted_Moose #55 2 years ago

    Despite the fact the game doesn't run in 480p, it still looks great. I've put around 22 hours into it and have unlocked the first three areas. The Flooded Forest looks lovely, especially when it's raining.

    I've been playing with the Classic Controller and haven't encountered many problems. The right stick rotates the camera and changes the viewing angle. It works fine, but occasionally you'll accidentally change the viewing angle when in a frantic battle.

    No multiplayer sessions yet - obviously - but I did see a few HR 55 characters playing over the last few days.

  • ChadSexington #56 2 years ago

    All Monster Hunter games are shit. Ergo, Monster Hunter Tri is shit.

  • Nillsens #57 2 years ago

    I started playing MH1 to get back into the series, finally killed my first Rathalos this week (something I had failed to do back in 2004), it was an awesome experience which actually gave me a little rush. Then I proceeded to get killed another 5-6 times before finally killing him again.

    Also played the demo, which was enough to convince me to pre-order the limited edition straight away.

    Can't wait, going to be awesome.

  • Edawan #58 2 years ago

    There's one crucial thing you didn't mention at all : how does the combat work ? Is it real-time or turn-based ? Player skill or character skill ?

    Without knowing that I cant' really make a decision on the game...
    Edited by 1 at 16/04/10 @ 19:09

  • Luckyjim #59 2 years ago

    Realtime, player skill, really. It does get easier as you get better weapons but the emphasis is mostly on you.

  • Drogul #60 2 years ago

    Getting a Wii for this and Red Steel 2.

  • mrboshingles #61 2 years ago

    Does anyone know if I can use a Gamecube controller for this game?

  • Nillsens #62 2 years ago

    @Edawan

    Real-time, skill & character based. Although you could take down a large beasty with a cruddy weapon in theory, it would take a very long time and you would likely exceed the mission time limit of 50-40 minutes.
    Characters have no "levels", the gear you have is the only indicator and it gets progressively better as you take down larger monsters.
    Also no lock on or monster health bars, so you just have to time and position your strikes carefully and fight it out hoping for the best in some cases.
    A wyvern stomping over you hurts, the first rule of Monster Hunter would be "don't get hit".

  • MaxiSleep #63 2 years ago

    Hope this is a huge success on the Wii.

  • Nillsens #64 2 years ago

    @mrboshingles

    Nope, Wiimote or Classic Controller only.

  • Gunzberg #65 2 years ago

    Never played these games before, wish I had a demo to test it out, especially if it means buying WiiSpeak to enjoy it properly...

  • mrboshingles #66 2 years ago

    @Nillsens

    Dang! Oh well, hopefully be able to get a package deal on amazon :/

  • Dekyriel #67 2 years ago

    Monster Hunter finally gets the recognition it deserves in Europe, I'm happy. :)

  • Bitkari #68 2 years ago

    ▲
    ▲ ▲

  • coolbritannia #69 2 years ago

    Seems like acknowledging how awesome an exclusive game looks and asking for it on your console is frowned upon. Wiitards.

  • smelly #70 2 years ago

    @coolbritannia : For an experiment I asked for a wii version of "halo reach" in the halo reach news thread.

    At current count i had -10 score on that one.

    So - by your own reconing that makes them "xboxtards" no?

  • coolbritannia #71 2 years ago

    yeah i saw that, i marked you down on principle. but, outside of forum in joke world, why not make it multi format? i

  • smelly #72 2 years ago

    I have no idea why halo reach isnt multiformat. Afterall, it's not doing much - it's just a standard shooter, nothing special.

    With the wii pointer it might play better too...

  • coolbritannia #73 2 years ago

    You sir, are clearly an expert in FPS reviews. EG should employ you around September, let you have the definitive last word on Reach.

  • khite #74 2 years ago

    This is exactly the sort of game I didn't buy a Wii for, being more of a grumpy PC gamer. But I am tempted by this if there is going to be some online.

  • khite #75 2 years ago

    (to clarify I own a Wii but bought it for platformers / casual / living room gaming rather than epic online experiences)

  • Dekyriel #76 2 years ago

    And now all we need, after the raging success this game is hopefully about to be, is Monster Hunter Frontier (Online on XBOX360) straight from Japan into our green lands. \o/

    Who's up for some MHFO? :D

  • coolbritannia #77 2 years ago

    That's it Deky I'm marking you down...

  • MasterNameless #78 2 years ago

    Some people are a little too defensive. If we want to see it on another console it's because we really like the look of the game, and don't want to buy a new console just to play it. It's about the games for most of us believe it or not, not which bloody console we buy it on.

    I've bought 2 out of 3 consoles(not including handhelds) and can't justify a third at the moment unfortunately, love the look of this game though, loved it on PSP, and would also love to see it on PS3 or 360 too. If people want to over-react and think it's something to do with the graphics it says more about them really, I just want to play the damn game! :/

  • MasterNameless #79 2 years ago

    @smelly

    That's an idiotic comparison and more people would obviously think you are trolling. Halo is a flagship 360 game, published by Microsoft. It isn't just a stupid comparison, it's a stupid question - which is probably why you got neg'd.

    Monster Hunter is not a flagship Wii title, it's previous platform was a Sony one, and is therefore much more reasonable to hope that it'd come to the other consoles, or even multi-platform, in the future.
    Edited by 1 at 17/04/10 @ 04:27

  • Kerome #80 2 years ago

    Interesting. It certainly has first-glance appeal, but it may turn out to be the kind of game that I'd play a few times and then put on the shelf... sounds pretty hardcore for a wii game - raw combat mechanics, grinding, finding rares, timed crops - and there's not much mention of story content.

    Thanks for the explanations on the combat mechanics, it's definitely a missing piece from the review ;)

  • VeggieWokker #81 2 years ago

    @ MisterNameless: What about all the rubes hoping for a Mario or Zelda title on PS3 or 360? They always make me laugh.

  • WinterSnowblind #82 2 years ago

    I got into Freedom Unite recently and have been somewhat enjoying that. I think it feels very dated in places though, and there are many mechanics I think could be improved if the developers/fanbase weren't so stubborn. For instance, I don't really understand why it's mission based and timed.

    I'm not someone who feels every game should be open world, but this is a case where I think it'd greatly benefit the game. Put more depth into the exploration and actual hunting of the monsters.

    Still, I'd be interested in getting this but the limited split screen options really ruined it for me. The game almost requires multiple players, and it's not something I'd want to play online, so I'll be waiting for Freedom 3. I do hope this version sells well though.

  • king_ghidra #83 2 years ago

    "For instance, I don't really understand why it's mission based and timed"

    As opposed to?

    I don't see the problem with that mechanic at all. You know your task should be achievable in that time frame, and that's reassuring, because you don't have an enemy health bar to tell how you're doing, and it's a portable game, so the game needs to be bite-sized anyway. The mission based system drives the village quest progression and the post-quest rewards system which drives the gear advancement system, etc., etc. It's all highly integrated and seems to make perfect sense to me.

    I couldn't criticise anything in MHFU except the occasional camera frustration. It's probably one of the most well-designed, deep and rewarding games I've ever played.

  • Dekyriel #84 2 years ago

    @coolbritannia: I'm not making this up. It's currently on the PC in Japan and it's being released on XBOX360 in the summer, I just wish they'd export this over here as well. ;)

  • coolbritannia #85 2 years ago

    I know fella, i googled it after your post. So hopefully, my massively over negged dream will kinda come true, providing the next game (with the better online and better graphics-burn wiitards) is as good as this one.

    p.s i have a wii, i just don't play much on it, so I am also a wiitard.

  • WinterSnowblind #86 2 years ago

    @king_ghidra
    Perhaps on the handhelds it is the best system. I just feel an open world system where you took bounties rather than individual quests for each monster would place a greatly emphasis on the exploration and hunting elements. Not even being able to leave the village unless your own a quest just seems odd and the whole structure feels rather dated to me.

  • smelly #87 2 years ago

    @MasterNameless : Why not stop crying, and go back to whacking off over games you DO have on your system?

    I'm sure there's a million games worth playing on your machine.. sure 99% of them will be fps games, but that's not our problem.


    BACK ON TOPIC - I want this, but dont really have time at the moment to play many games, and mario is just around the corner... And i've still yet to complete FF13 (but i've gotten so bored of that i doubt i'll ever complete it). So this will have to wait.

  • malexous #88 2 years ago

    This could be my first Monster Hunter game.

    This was initially going to be a PS3 exclusive but it would have cost too much to develop.

  • TitusCrow #89 2 years ago

    I really like the look of this game and the sound of it. alas! I don't have the one system that it is on. Having a PC 360 and ps3 the Wii was the only one I decided not to get. In past gen's I have been a big Nintendo fan, starting with a SNES and having all gen's until the Wii.

    I miss Mario and Zelda, Metroid - a few other's but on the whole I could't see the point in having a console for a few specialized purchases ( as my last gen one was ) this game makes me really want to get a Wii but I will resist. And hope it comes out on one of the other 3 formats I have. I don't think it is being disparaging to the Wii to say that a game on it is great and you wish you had it, for a system that you don't have to buy to get the said game.

    There seem's to be a kind of siege mentality from all single platform games here. This is not a point of pride, it means your fellow gamer is not able to choose a game they want, or if it is one on a platform you don't have - it is you who is left out. This benefits none of us in the long run. We end up wasting money on 3 damn consoles, when we might have had 1 ubiquitous system. Who gains from this situation? not the gamer who only wants the best choice and games, that's for sure.

  • MasterNameless #90 2 years ago

    @smelly

    That's a very childish reaction, that once again, says a lot more about your insecurities than it does about me - or anybody you choose to insult in that way. How you can't see that is beyond me. I'm sure it's pretty obvious that I was in no way 'crying', merely stating an obvious flaw in your stilted logic, and shock, horror, saying that I liked the look of a game on a gaming website. Even though I can't purchase the game, who are you to say I can't offer a positive comment about the game anyway?

    Continue to hurl insults at me if it makes you feel better though! :D

    Edited by 1 at 17/04/10 @ 17:26

  • MasterNameless #91 2 years ago

    @Dekyriel

    Thanks for the heads up! They already have a japanese trailer for the 360 version if anyone's interested. Looks really great, love the shot of them all waving to the camera at the end!

    Let's hope that Monster Hunter Tri does really well over here, as then hopefully Capcom will see there is a big enough market to bring the 360 version out in the West too.

    @VeggieWokker

    Yes, they would also be very silly questions!

    Final Fantasy proved itself to be an exception to this rule - but that's more down to the almighty power of Squenix more than anything else!
    Edited by 2 at 17/04/10 @ 19:37

  • Gaiduku #92 2 years ago

    @Macmurphy Hope you havent bought it yet for £55 cos its a fair bit cheaper on gameplay.com. Around 49.99 and they usually deliver for the day before release.... which is nice.

  • Bangaioh #93 2 years ago

    oh wow!! so glad, just preorder a few days ago, limited edition too :D

  • Vanmunt #94 2 years ago

    Nope, Wiimote or Classic Controller only.

    borrowed parents wii to play this, although its wasn't out.. I'm not paying for a controller as well to play this, I will stick with Ratchet I bought cheap the weekend.

    Having the wii in the flat made me feel a little grubby as well... just couldn't bring myself to plug in those horrible red, white and yellow cables.. HD anybody?

  • varsas #95 2 years ago

    @MasterNameless: The MH coming to 360 is a port of the online MH game on PC that has been out for a while.

  • Delling #96 2 years ago

    I'm not familiar with this series at all, but is it worth getting this if you're not planning to use the multiplayer?
    Edited by 1 at 19/04/10 @ 11:10

  • Hulle #97 2 years ago

    Delling: Yes, yes it is.. I'm 300 hours in, playing the PSP games.. And that is playing 99% singleplayer..
    On the Wii version, there is even more focus on singleplayer than the PSP version.

  • Hulle #98 2 years ago

    Vanmunt: Stop complaining, buy a component cabel.

  • macmurphy #99 2 years ago

    @ gaiduku.

    Thanks for the tip mate. Has anyone else bought from gameplay.com? Never heard of them, will my monies be safe? If yes, and if no-one has any better deals, I'm ordering today.

  • Whitster #100 2 years ago

    To any one saying they've already got a PS3 and 360 so they can't shell out the pitance that a Wii costs as they're aren't enough games on it, come on, what games are you playing on PS3? Mines been nothing but a blu-ray player since Uncharted 2 finished.

  • butler` #101 2 years ago

    Whitster: FF13, but only by force :(

  • VeggieWokker #102 2 years ago

    @ Whitster: I've been on the fence about getting a PS3 to put next to my Wii, but you pretty much confirm what I was thinking. Except for a few good games like Uncharted 2 and Heavy Rain it's mostly FPS's and that's just not my thing. I can't justify that kind of money for a few interesting games.
    Just a few more games until I go hunting :). Can't wait, can't sleep.

  • NotSoSlim #103 2 years ago

    Err God Of War 3 is another reason.

    God all consoles have games just the Wii has a handful of games actually worth playing imo

  • muttler #104 2 years ago

    Hardly ever play my Wii, but might give this a go.

  • TRUTH #105 2 years ago

    Come on Capcom bring this to the 360/PS3 - you know you want too!

    Just don't make it multiplayer as the only way to play!...Single player must not be 2nd thoughts.

  • spookyzombie #106 2 years ago

    @ Whitster

    Other way round for me. My PS3 is used heavily and the Wii hasn't been used since playing the latest Mario game. Of course the Wii can't play blu-rays or dvd's, so it's been catching dust as usual instead. Tried MHT and returned it within a week. Like the idea of a console version of MH, but the graphics are fucking shocking via a HDTV. Hopefull they bring it to either the 360 or PS3 later on this year.

  • drumbaby #107 2 years ago

    Well, my brother loaned us his Wii, I bought MH3 for it, and after a week of initial enthusiasm my oldest son (major MH fan) has returned to MHFU on PSP and LBP on PS3. His main comments are that the graphics are too fuzzy and that the underwater bits aren't as good as he thought they'd be.

    My impressions of him playing it (I never got enthused enough to play it myself using the Wii controller/s) were that Capcom seemed to be naming the same items slightly different from its PS2/P counterparts just for the sake of it, and that its graphics are indeed blurry, and also bleached of any vibrant colour. Certainly not as strikingly beautiful to look at as MHFU on a PSP 3000.

    I certainly don't feel as if I'm missing anything by passing on this version of Monster Hunter, now that my curiosity is finally sated. All I can say is that Capcom really ought to release a true successor to MH PS2 (not MH Frontier), with some serious next gen' bells and whistles...oh, and keep on bringing out the PSP versions, as they're uniformly excellent.