GOD EATER 3

Finally something to get our teeth into

Let’s say you really like Monster Hunter, but you’ve always missed that extra bit of well, monster hunting. Whereas Capcom’s series always reminds you that you are the weaker party when facing down a giant predator, God Eater levels the playing field and makes everything bigger, flashier, and a whole lot more anime-like. Judging by our play of God Eater 3, it sticks to the principle behind the series: you find monsters, and once you find them, as a God Eater it’s your job to fight them. Looking at the map we’re dropped onto, it’s easy to see why we won’t be collecting any plants for research here: the entire world has become a wasteland. Using a mobile fortress called a caravan, you need to make a way through landscapes and destroyed cities rendered uninhabitable by noxious storms to deliver goods to the remnants of humanity. However, in your way are not only deadly storms but also the Aragami, who are 50% monster, 50% machine, and 100% out to crush you.

SMASH ‘EM ALL

While searching for and battling with Aragami always has to be completed within a certain time limit, it never feels like you’re just hacking away at a fiend, waiting for it to drop. Instead, a lot of the immense joy of God Eater 3 comes from how fluid the combat mechanics are. This is largely thanks to your singular weapon, the God Arc, which you can seamlessly transform into a shield, a gun, or a “predator form”, a demonic being that chomps down on the Aragami, provided you’re standing close enough. On the defensive side, your God Eater’s powerful dashing ability ensures you literally get around the battlefield in a flash. Quickly dashing out of the way of a giant laser to retaliate immediately is very satisfying but it can be hard to stay on top of things, especially in missions involving a whole group of God Eaters going up against a large Aragami.

God Eater 3’s world is a lot bleaker than Monster Hunter’s colourful biomes, but this lends itself to a story which is in turns dramatic and mysterious. Something to chew on.

“IT NEVER FEELS LIKE YOU’RE JUST HACKING AWAY AT A FIEND, WAITING FOR IT TO DROP.”

Colourful slashes, explosions, and several characters all hacking away make combat lively.

Above You can join up with other players online, rather than tackle Aragami alone.