Monster Hunter is one of those franchises that its fans fall utterly in love with – piling many dozens, or even a few hundred, hours into each title – but a significant number of newcomers find almost impenetrable.

Monster Hunter has always been one of those franchises that have really stood on the precipice of becoming a hit in the West. While the series has performed well in its native Japan since its inception, certain aspects have prevented it from being a smash in other territories.

A major upgrade over previous entries in almost every aspect; Satisfying and complex combat system; 100+ hours of content; Palicos

Tags

I've played several Monster Hunter titles in the past, but I've always been very much a casual fan of the series. I was never the type to be teaming up with buddies to take on huge quests, and I wound up spending way more time with Monster Hunter -style games ( Toukiden , Ragnarok Odyssey ) than the...

Gameplay has never felt better; Plenty of monsters to hunt; Deep post-game

Arbitrary online restrictions; Some awkward menus

Whether or not it's the best, this is certainly the most audacious Monster Hunter game. World takes a dramatic leap into a look, feel, and size that feels truly new, simultaneously staying true to the series' ideals by maintaining the addictive loop of combat, intimidating monsters and meaningful...

While its weighty combat (often erroneously labelled 'clumsy'... it's anything but, once you know what you're doing) means it still may not appeal to...

Packed with incredible encounters; Open environments work brilliantly; Quality-of-life improvements everywhere

Online systems still a little clunky; Relatively low monster count; Likely to devour all your time

You are part of the Fifth Fleet, traversing the seas and heading to the New World as you track the crossing of an Elder Dragon. Sent by the Research Commission to find out exactly what takes place when these huge, destructive beings make their trek every decade, it's up to you to make the journey...

Expansive And Vibrant Worlds To Explore; Detailed Monsters And Designs; Armour And Weapon Crafting Is Fun

Clunky And Frustrating Combat; Steep Learning Curve; Extreme Grinding Process