This is N-Europe's third play test now of Monster Hunter 3; it is also this writer's second hands-on session with the game, and indeed only this writer's second experience with the Monster Hunter franchise as a whole.
Meeting some of the true die-hard fans of the series, you realise that the game, seemingly rather clunky and impenetrable on its first play through, is meant to be that way. A rather odd way of designing a game? Maybe. Yet the Japanese certainly love it.
Quibbles with the title that have been highlighted before still remain. The controls are hard to pick up. "Where’s the lock-on?" you will find yourself asking. "Why is there no enemy health bar?" "Why does it take so freakin' long to move around with your weapon drawn?”
Monster Hunter is not for everyone, you may quickly come to realise.
You're joined in single-player by dinky masked assistant "Cha Cha"
Sticking with it requires patience. A desire to learn the quirks of the gameplay. A tolerance of some rather odd controls (an experience in which the Classic Controller does not much aid matters either). But, things do improve.
Sticking with it (and after fainting, several times) you begin thinking strategy, start using some of your quest items (bombs, pit traps, items that paralyze and burn your enemies) and begin learning how to gain that edge.
It is quite obviously a game with an enormous amount of potential. The latest press release for the title mentions "hundreds" of hours of gameplay. Factoring in its online mode, that is not unrealistic. Especially when Capcom plan to release limited time-only quests and other special content.
The vast world ahead for players logging on – to be shared with up to three others – is a wonderful concept, especially with the new announcement of Wii Speak compatibility for European copies (this as well as USB keyboard support for text chat). Players gather in a hub area, which includes a meeting hall for setting up teams and choosing quests. You can even buy yourself (or others, if you’re feeling generous) a spot of lunch.
A healthily stocked inventory is imperative for any hunter!
For those wondering, Capcom are still not ready to disclose the subscription costs for the title (in Japan it is part of Nintendo’s Pay & Play online system), although when pressed on whether no announcement meant free online play was being considered, we were told the matter was still under discussion. When we hear the final word, you will too.
In single-player meanwhile, gamers can enjoy Moga Village, the port-town seen in early shots of the game which acts as your home and the hub while playing on your own. Your house overlooks the sea and serves as your base of operations, with quest opportunities to be found from the townsfolk nearby.
The game’s storyline is that the inhabitants of Moga Village are being plagued by earthquakes, thought to be caused by a particularly pissed beastie. Guess whose job it is to take care of that one?
The game's scope is undeniably huge.
One major criticism noted previously was that quests seemed too similar. "Go here, fight this, chase it to the next screen, repeat until dead", and still has not abated for me. (The voice of Monster Hunter fans saying "well, that’s the point of the game" be damned, you will buy this regardless). For non-fans, it is still worrying how little variety there could be. There are quests to gather materials as well, which can then be used to pimp out your weapons and armour, but these materials are gained from the animals themselves – which will not be given up willingly.
Capcom were at pains to highlight the brilliant graphics (the "most beautiful possible" on Wii) and the depth of the world – how monsters reacted and engaged with players and indeed other animals that crossed their paths – which the developers say was based on how real-world critters behave themselves. There certainly is a game stuffed full of potential here, but despite a new session of play, this writer cannot help but feel he still needs more time with the title to decide if this potential is fully realised.
Tom Phillips
Editor-in-Chief, N-Europe.com
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