Review: Monster Hunter World | University Observer

By Katie Lalwani | Feb 20 2018

Photo Credit: BagoGames via Flickr Although well known in Japan, the Monster Hunter series has never quite reached mainstream popularity over here. The latest offering of the action role-playing game, Monster Hunter World, hopes to change that. The game sees players travelling to the New World, a place inhabited by mythical dinosaur-like creatures and embarking on quests to kill or capture these creatures in the name of research.

Developer: CapcomPublisher: CapcomPlatform: XBOX ONE, PS4 (Reviewed)Release Date: 26th January 2018

The sprawling open world is a marvel to behold. Each environment has its own unique look and feel from the colourful ocean-like world of the Coral Highland to Wildspire Waste’s abundance of canyons and sandy dunes. Every one of these unique habitats is home to different types of monsters. When taking a break from monster hunting, players can hang out in Astera, a base camp bustling with activities. Here you can forge weapons, dine at a canteen staffed by cats, and meet up with other online players in The Gathering Hub.

“Each environment has its own unique look and feel from the colourful ocean-like world of the Coral Highland to Wildspire Waste’s abundance of canyons and sandy dunes.”

Of course, the stars of the show are the monsters themselves. There’s a breathtaking array of beasts to discover, each presenting its own unique challenges. With their appearance and behaviours appearing so lifelike, it can be difficult not to feel a pang of guilt when forced to kill or capture them.The big draw is the thrill of the hunt itself with players engaging in lengthy boss fights. Combat is challenging with patience and practice needed to learn how to anticipate each monsters’ fighting style. Different play styles are catered for with a wide range of weapon types including swords, hammers, and bowguns to choose from. The large number of various intricate systems to juggle including armour type, stamina, crafting, food buffs, and more can be rather confusing, especially for new players to come to grips with.Brimming with hundreds of hours of gameplay and so much depth, the expansive world of Monster Hunter World will certainly satisfy fans. For newcomers however, the game’s steep learning curve may be off-putting at first. That said, the game should not to be disregarded entirely. With some time and effort, it may become an unexpected favourite.