Monster Hunter: World

We always had Paolumu faith Capcom would deliver

Come on in, smell the Sporepuffs. A masterclass in all manner of things, from worldbuilding to co-op play, the real reason Monster Hunter: World remains one of 2018’s defining games is its creature design.

Like choosing your best Celebrations choc, picking one monster above the rest is nighimpossible, but I’ll give it a go. There’s beautiful Tobi-Kadachi, a silky mix of electric dog and flying squirrel; Kirin, a majestic unicorn that channels lightning; there’s the poison-spewing Pukei-Pukei, kooky rock-loving Kulu-Ya-Ku, and the elegant stature of the lionfaced Teostra. So. Many. Monsters.

If I were to throw my Fatal Cutie hat onto one creature, it would be Paolumu. This ball of puffed-up fur floats around grinning and grimacing, but its pink-cotton bud look belies a nasty bite. It’s the archetypal Monster Hunter: World creature – it looks ridiculous but can chew you up and spit you out in a split-second as its fluffy self unfurls to reveal a ferocious batthing with a club-like tail.

Free DLC and events throughout the year helped keep this game on my must-play list, but it’s those monsters that kept me hooked.