The Monster Hunter Franchise Keeps Getting Better
The Monster Hunter franchise improves with every title Capcom releases. However, some players argue that it adds unnecessary mechanics that only make it mechanically harder. So, what is the factor that makes their games undoubtedly the best?
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What is Monster Hunter?
Firstly, we need to talk about the concept of Monster Hunter. It’s a game that allows you to play as a Hunter who needs to keep the village safe from various monsters. Now, we’re not talking about monsters that are a nuisance to the villagers.
The monsters in the game each have the potential to wipe out the village. From small monsters that threaten the population to Elder Dragons that threaten your existence, it’s a difficult task. However, you have help from sentient cats and, recently, dogs called Palicos and Palamutes.
Palicos and Palamutes are support-type AIs who help give you a fighting chance with the monsters. The cats also focus on utility and healing while the dogs attack and distract. Your job is either capture or slay the monsters threatening your village.
How do they Improve After Every Title?
Capcom released the first game, titled Monster Hunter, for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. The mechanics were simple for players: attack monsters with swords or guns. Each enemy also had different move sets and elemental weaknesses for you to exploit.
It went on for a couple more games for the PlayStation Portable. The developers also labeled these titles as the First and Second Generations. Each generation also added new monsters, locations, and weapons.
However, the significant change in mechanics came in the Third Generation. It appeared on the Nintendo Wii while also showcasing the new Switch Axe and customizable Bowguns. Yet, Capcom did not stop there with the new in-game mechanics.
In the Fourth Generation, it became significantly harder and more interesting for players. The 4th-Gen titles also introduced new vertical and lateral movement in the Nintendo 3DS. It also carried over to the Fifth Generation titles like Monster Hunter World.
Monster Hunter Starts Pushing the Limits
In the Fifth Generation, the developers introduced living and breathing ecosystems that aren’t separate from each other. Previously, in the first four generations, each location on the maps was different and only had one monster.
Now, multiple monsters appear in different locations on the map. They can also interact with each other, called Turf Wars, where they battle to determine the Apex Predator. However, the developers added much more mechanics.
You can also ride monsters and control them to crash them into walls or other beasts. Even more, you can go out and explore the locations without the need for a quest– just like any hunter would do.
The Unneeded Mechanics
Although Monster Hunter World sold 40 million units, some players thought the mechanics were unnecessary. The gamers also thought it just added a useless layer of difficulty to the game. However, it also makes the game unique from other RPG titles.
The movement increased the creativity for moving combos to deal maximum damage. Even more, the new titles also brought new weapons to support the movement. So, why do we say the Monster Hunter franchise keeps getting better?
We believe that it depends on the gamers, both veterans and rookies. The franchise caters to players that love the pacing of the game. Undoubtedly, it’s not for everyone, but it does invite gamers of all types.
