Tested Games
Get fighty (mostly with monsters)
It’s easy to see why many in the West have been put off by the Monster Hunter series’ steep learning curve. The bombardment of tutorials at the start of this game hits you harder than the paint cans did Harry and Marv in Home Alone.
But Monster Hunter: World actually has a simpler premise than most games. Equip a weapon. Kill a monster. Use loot to create improved gear. Repeat. This loop is delightfully addictive: enemies are varied enough to prevent combat from feeling repetitive, and it’s always exciting to upgrade your weapon or craft a new set of armour.
Alright, Capcom could have done a better job at easing you in, but having a plethora of combat options from the start – including 14 distinct weapons – gives you ridiculous scope to fight each beast however you like.
There are 30 to do battle with, but not one of them fights like your average video-game critter. They all have set attacks, vulnerabilities and health bars that will take last at least 20 minutes to hack down. The pacing of monster difficulty is handled adeptly too, as you’re steadily introduced to new elements and effects so you never feel out of your depth.
Most impressive of all, though, is how these creatures behave outside of combat. They’ll roam their habitats chowing on prey, drinking from rivers, even brawling with other beasts.
Monster Hunter: World is bigger and better than its predecessors in almost every way. The series has enjoyed a huge graphical boost thanks to the leap to PS4 and Xbox One, while the combat is as engrossing as ever – and it’s as approachable for newcomers as it is satisfying for veterans.
It’s not without its flaws – the plot is weak, the dialogue cheesy – but once Monster Hunter: World gets its claws into you it’s hard to break free. If this series is ever going to win over Western gamers, then this will be the game to do it. Ryan Jones