After years of slaying beasts and crafting gear in the world of Monster Hunter, I must admit, I was starting to feel like I had hunted them all. But then came Monster Hunter Rise, and it has breathed fresh air into this beloved series.
Monster Hunter Wilds follows the traditional concept: hunt massive beasts, transform their parts into equipment, then battle even larger creatures. This fundamental gameplay mechanic, though straightforward, is remarkably captivating. However, Monster Hunter World raised concerns that Capcom might have hit a plateau in terms of innovation.
After a while of enjoying Monster Hunter Worlds at Gamescom, it’s evident that there’s still a lot more to explore.
Like Riding A Wyvern
At Gamescom, my demonstration began by launching into a solo mission right after the character customization process.
Of course, a Monster Hunter game isn’t complete without over-the-top voice acting, but what truly stands out is the pack of Balahara emerging from the sand, with our vocalized Hunter riding along.
In a manner reminiscent of tiny sandworms, they occasionally bound off the ground, causing our steed, Seikret, to strain in its attempt to maintain pace. Swiftly scaling and darting over protruding rocks, they ultimately perform an elegant glide downwards.
To begin with, the visual appeal is undeniably striking, thanks to the RE Engine meticulously crafting creatures, weather effects, and sand dynamics. Additionally, this setup offers a unique opportunity to encounter novel environmental perils that allow you to topple precarious stone pillars without relying on the slinger, as was necessary in World.
As I delved deeper into this game, it wasn’t until the pursuit of Chatacraba that I truly felt like a hunter, not just a player.
In Monster Hunter World, I selected the Insect Glaive as my preferred weapon, and it felt like I never stopped playing from the 2018 version, gracefully soaring through the skies.
Even though this version has some similarities, it’s definitely not a carbon copy of the old one. One notable change is the introduction of a concentrated attack that can be used to inflict extra damage on monsters, causing wounds to appear which can then be targeted.
These seemed incredibly destructive, yet differently from the conventional “breaking” mechanism, wounds can be obliterated, allowing new ones to take their place. This results in battles appearing more fluid rather than merely waiting for a creature to turn the right way. With this understanding, dealing with the large-tongued monster became less challenging.
Hunt together
Even I find that Monster Hunter is at its finest when played alongside companions, and amazingly, this newest version extends that camaraderie to the monstrous creatures as well!
In my pursuit of the rare Alpha Doshaguma, a creature resembling both a lion and a bear, I managed to find it grazing on a hilly meadow, accompanied by its colossal companions.
On my swift Seikret, I charged directly towards Alpha. With a deft leap, I soared above his group, delivering the initial strike with my agile Insect Glaive. As they began to wield their enormous weapons, joining the fray.
On the Seikret, not only can you employ a fresh radial menu for frequently used items such as the sharpening stone, but you also have the ability to switch entire weapon sets. This allows me to switch to my Greatsword for dealing significant damage.
In a desert, we pursued the Alpha Doshaguma, slicing at its back and guiding its comrades towards deep sand traps.
One thing you can’t count on, however, is the weather. A storm began to streak lightning through the skies and bolts of it began to hit everything around – the Doshaguma and our party included. After the heavy snow of Iceborne, I’m excited to see what additional tactical opportunities await.
Currently, I’m focusing on perfecting my evasion skills to dodge the electric shocks. Additionally, it’s essential to stay vigilant since small insect-like creatures could creep up unexpectedly, using their numbers to overpower and their distinctive movements to catch you off guard.
Final Thoughts
In my gaming world, Monster Hunter Wilds feels like a giant leap forward for a series that easily could’ve taken it easy. But instead, they’ve crafted something so polished and refined, it makes Monster Hunter World seem like a rough draft.
Though Monster Hunter Wilds hasn’t been given a launch date just yet, take heart as it might become the most expansive Monster Hunter game to date.
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2024-08-22 17:44