Monster Hunter left its hardcore fans behind.

Joseph Pugh writes- World is by far the best looking Monster Hunter with the slickest animations and most visual detail. It brought with it a ton of quality of life improvements that honesty makes going back and playing the older ones difficult. Capcom knocked it out the park, improving the game in so many ways, and making the correct moves that were needed to propel the game into mainstream popularity. But what did it cost?

[PhoenixUp]

Sounds like somebody is salty

[Cmv38]

I've heard from numerous hardcore players that works checks all the boxes. I think this guy just didn't want to like monster hunter being on a different platform.

[GamingGideon]

That doesn't make a lot of sense. The original was on PlayStation 2. It was then on PSP, The Wii, 3DS and now Playstation once more. Why would the platform it is on be an issue for me? I detail what issues I have, most of them are centered around the lack of challenge in the game.

[-T9X-69-]

Hardcore player since the PS2 days. Granted I'm not the "Be all" of MH fans, but as ONE individual hardcore long time fan, MHW is exactly what I had it hoped it to be. I've even bought it on PS4 and PC. The biggest complaint with MHW (I think many HC MH fans would agree) is the decoration drops were way too RNG. It sucks trying to get a specific deco and there's no challenges or specific harder monsters that have higher drop rates. I could farm Elder Dragons 10,000 times and never get an Attack Deco, but randomly do a Tempered Anjanath and get one of the first try.

The real challenge has always been G-Rank anyway, which were included in the Ultimate Versions of the 3DS games for example. Iceborne is exactly that. G-Rank (Master Rank in this case). The ecosystem aspect of World has added more depth to MH than it's ever had before. Bring on Iceborne.

[AspiringProGenji]

The hardcore fans were in Freedom Unite (PSP) and by your logic they were left behind too. I am glad the MH came back to consoles and PC. No more handhelds limiting its potential... and Now with Iceborne bringing back all the favorite monsters from previous games. Imo the series is in a better place on consoles and PC

[TheGamez100]

Same. Lost interest in the monster hunter franchise after they went exclusive with nintendo. Was so hyped the ps3 was supposedly getting mhtri and then nintendo comes in. The true fans were abandoned long ago. So long had the franchise been stuck on old hardware and had untapped potential. The day mhw got announced and was put on current gen hardware was the day the series got redemption. And this is still only the beginning.

[septemberindecember]

Why did you lose hype when they went exclusive to Nintendo? Some really good entries were on those platforms. The reason why Monster Hunter Tri moved to Wii and not PS3 was due to high development costs.

[yoshatabi]

@september cuz not everyone likes the Nintendo console.

[Atom666]

Did you read the article? Yes, by their logic PS2 and PSP fans were left behind, too. This critique has nothing to do with platforms.

It's obvious that the author followed MH on all consoles and portables. These criticisms have been voiced by others that similarly find World to be too forgiving in its quest to become more mainstream.

I'm personally about 50/50 on the changes. The challenge is obviously reduced, but they managed to make a lot of the preparation much less tedious.

[AspiringProGenji]

I read it. MH world was made to be a bit faster paced and for more capable consoles, so making changes like still running while drinking potions makes sense. I knew in the beginning the diehards were saying it was casualized because of the changes, but it still feels like Monster Hunter to the core

[LordJamar]

Did you play temper high rank missions? High rank lich? High rank behemoth etc??

[bluefox755]

Reminds me of the Metallica fans that cried after Black Album. What they're really saying is: "We were here first, and we resent that it's becoming popular with the mainstream."

[GamingGideon]

Hi! I'm the author of the article and in it, I actually say the exact opposite! I'm over enjoyed that a game I have been passionate about for the last 14 years is now loved by so many others! However, I am really disappointed that in that process, fans like myself got the boot. I don't want to take anything away from the mainstream, however, I would really like an option to bump up the difficulty without resorting to self-imposed restrictions!

[Brave_Losers_Unite]

Actually Ryan.. I'm the author. Just because you did the edits doesn't automatically make you the author.

[BrainSyphoned]

These posts here sum up everything you need to know about the article and why the author can’t be happy with MHW.

[Servbot41]

I've been playing since the PS2 release and I've only missed one game (Dos). MH is better than its ever been.

[porkChop]

That's a poor analogy.

The Black album was entirely a mainstream metal album, and that's where Metallica stopped being a thrash metal band. That's significant because Metallica was one of the "big four" of Thrash Metal.

While I loved the Black album, fans absolutely had a legitimate reason to be upset. Everything from their look, their musical style, tone, etc., changed starting with that album. They were a different band in every way. It was 17 years before Metallica started going back to their roots.

They didn't "sell out" though. It wasn't for money, it was just that they liked and wanted the big overproduced sound of that time. That's fine. But that's just not Metallica.

[Abnor_Mal]

Finally bought this game in the Capcom sale, but am reluctant to start playing as I've never played a Monster Hunter game before.

Was hoping my friend bought the game also so we could co-op, but he didn't and now I'm stuck by myself to play.

[SamPao]

Just take your time .

[Acecalibur]

Do not play solo. You gonna have a rough time. Getting thru the story just to get to the hub will be a chore.

[HexxedAvenger]

Playing solo is fine. Solo is a good way to learn the monster patterns and your weapon. Mp usually has people flying around and your hits get interrupted. Either way both are fun. Don’t be afraid to join in with randoms!

[FreeFallFrenzy]

I've only played it solo. Played through most of the main campaign by myself and had a blast! Done be afraid to jump in by yourself, it's definitely worth it

[Abnor_Mal]

Thank you to everyone for your advice, and I will definitely take it all into consideration.

I'm currently playing Borderlands GOTYE, during that time I will try to convince my friend to get it like he says he's interested in the game. Hopefully another sale rolls around soon so he can pick it up on the cheap.

[jznrpg]

Thy did make it a little too easy . But it’s still a good game just not as hardcore . I preferred the old way but it wasn’t going to survive most likely being a niche game.

[jukins]

Damn I know this is my first monster hunter but upper level stuff isn't exactly easy. . . You have to have a good understanding of not only enemy attacks and movements but the environment not to mention coming properly geared so you're not one shotted.

Would t exactly call this casual eh oh well I'm having fun

[CrimsonWing69]

I have tried getting into Monster Hunter games in the past and couldn't. Monster Hunter World was exactly what I wanted out of a Monster Hunter game. Hell, I would actually say this is for hardcore gamers, it's not an easy game, there's lots of item management, looting and crafting better gear.

It's become one of my favorite games now.

[Fluttershy77]

mainstream hunter

[Elda]

I still haven't played MH:W.

[TheColbertinator]

It's been 14 years since the franchise began and changes would come.

Many MH fans didn't like the games coming to Nintendo or portable platforms but the franchise lives on. If you think Capcom "sold out" Monster Hunter you are correct but not because of World. MH in Japan is a phenomenon and has had spin-offs toys and cross promotion for several years already.

[xRacer74x]

So because Monster Hunter stepped up its game and turned away from sprites and just shyt graphics it left hardcore fans behind?

[GamingGideon]

Nothing in the article refers to graphics except to say how great Monster Hunter World looks.

[jznrpg]

It’s not the graphics it’s the easier gameplay .

[xRacer74x]

I must suck then. Im over 100 hours into it and still have issues killing the second tier of monsters.

[antikbaka]

I tried playing it on psp and 3ds but only PC version made me stick to it

[GortJester]

Bologna

[Deepfryry]

But you said that you didn’t even finish it. Also, I have a bunch of friends that bounced off the game because it was too hard for them, being new comers to the franchise. I’m about to be HR 300 and I feel like the game is just getting pretty easy for me now. But I am WAY more powerful than I was starting out. You don’t even have an ORANGE NAME BROO!!?!? Lol

[ThatDudeMunkee]

We were? I've been playing since PSP's Freedom Unite and I still am playing to this very day with hundreds of hours invested into every single launch. I'm even smashing my way, at this moment, through MH:GU (originally started on Double X). MH: World actually didn't leave anyone behind, it evolved, and it's being carefully designed to be one of the most intriguing titles yet. I can't wait to see what they do with Iceborn and the changes made to G and S-Rank hunts in Iceborne.

After reading this: You aren't happy with the changes to high-rank hunts. Have you spent time doing the Arch Tempered stuff, because that's all I do and they are hard as Hell, especially Arch Tempered Xeno'jiva and Arch Tempered Nergigante. I do wish we would get a few more heavy hitters like the Pickle and the Elder Dragon's themselves.

[LordJamar]

Did y’all play high rank tempered monster missions?
Did you kill temper lich? Temper behemoth I don’t get what this guy means buy easy casual non hardcore game didnyou really get to end game?

[2ndhandcorn]

Way too much menu work i lasted 30 mins.

[william_cade]

Looks like a cool website. I put it on my favs.

That casual money is impossible to resist.

[Sirk7x]

World is an amazing, awesome game. It is missing alot of content from previous ones, but that's understandable given the amount of work already out into it. They have a good engine, character models and animations to use going forward. Also, Monster Hunter has always had a bit of a problem with accessibility. I appreciate it it for what the game is, and not what was taken out. Generations Ultimate is still available to play as well, and is classic MH.

[BlackDoomAx]

It could have been a readable article before the game was out. But now? After almost everybody liked it? And just before Iceborne is released, with new monsters, stuff, mechanics and difficulty? Common.

[il-JumperMT]

No it didnt its called MH Generations on Switch

[Sirk7x]

Truth. To anyone that does want the classic MH experience, the game has well over twice the monsters (and therefore twice the gear and abilities) that World does. It is hard sometimes to go back after being spoiled by the visuals of World though lol. Still a great game to grind during the wait for Iceborne.

[ShinRon]

relative to most AAA games, Monster Hunter is hardcore af

I think they found a solid balance, not perfect ofc

[Sirk7x]

World is excellent, for sure. It definitely would have been nice to have greater monster variety, but I understand the challenges in development. We mostly got dinosaurs, when older games have all manner of monsters. Spiders, other insects, frogs, sharks, monkeys, you name it.

[metalgod88]

For the most part, I agree with 'Gideon the lesser hunter'. The game is simply too easy for veteran hunters. I enjoyed some of the events that certainly ramped up the difficulty, but the base game was a breeze. I'm not saying I didn't love the game, because I do. They made a lot of really great changes, but I too feel like the commitment of your actions are no longer a game-play mechanic like it used to be. I also feel like creating and upgrading weapons/armor, while cool doesn't have as much of an impact as it used to. I remembered fighting the same monster over and over to get specific monster parts so I could upgrade my weapon to gain an advantage over another monster I was struggling to beat. That's kind of what made Monster Hunter work for me.

But, at the same time, while it may be not be my dream monster hunter game, I'm happy a lot of newcomers can enjoy and actually progress through it. It's not as hardcore as an experience as it once was, but as long as people find it fun, I'm okay with that.

Once I beat this game, I picked up Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate and haven't gone back to Monster Hunter World since. It's what I grew up playing and the style of monster hunter I love most. It's incredibly difficult, tedious at times, but personally quite rewarding when you overcome challenges and move on to the next rank.