Monster Hunter: World - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition

This is a true console monster hunter experience. I will do some breakdowns for this review. GAMEPLAY: It is true to form with new additions, like mantles that have various effects. You have 14 weapon classes to choose from and MANY weapons in each class that of course you create and upgrade from the monsters you slay. Some have different abilities and elemental damages. They all play differently, so if you don't like one kind, you can easily try another. Something for everyone basically. The character customization is spot on and has multiple ways to customize your character. The environments have more things than ever to interact with, such has healing bugs or vines that can trap monsters for a short while so you can pump out some serious damage. CONTROLS: They are simple but can be challenging to master between attacking, dodging, sheathing your weapon, using items, etc. This is NOT an over the top high octane action game where you are basically unstoppable. You have to plan and change to multiple situations. There is a learning curve here, but that adds to the fun. You earn that monster kill and don't just button mash it. Each weapon class also has it's own way of attacking that you can use, like Dual Blades being quicker, especially in demon mode or the Greatsword being slower but dealing massive damage with charged attacks. GRAPHICS: Gorgeous! The environments, monsters, people, backdrops, etc are all well done and look spectacular. They blend well together, especially the various effects that can be triggered in the field. MONSTERS: Alot of them and varied in how they act and attack. You will be exposed to decently strong monsters from the beginning and have to watch out for them to pop up while you are exploring and fighting other monsters. They will even fight each other, which you can use to your advantage. Each monster should be approached with caution until you can learn how they will attack, especially when they become enraged, which makes them hit harder and faster. Sometimes it can be best to just dodge at those times or try and trap them to get in some hits. ONLINE: Basically the whole game can be played with your friends. Up to 4 people can go on quests together. This time it's all tied together, not multiple hubs between single and multiplayer. So, you can go alone or in a group. So far, I have also not noticed any problems with the online play myself. PALICO: This is your felyne friend. You can customize them how you want along with your character. They have visible armor you can craft for them, as well as weapons. They definitely help out and can just be fun to watch, like when they pull out a little raft for the water in the middle of you fighting a monster. They will heal you, buff you, etc and also draw aggro from the monster for you. NOTES: Capcom has pointed out that future dlc will be free. That is how they have done all previous mh games, so here's to hoping it stays that way. Also, Poogie is here. Many said our pig companion was gone. They were wrong lol. OVERALL: If you enjoy customization, fighting big monsters, and being challenged and rewarded for stepping up to that challenge, then this is for you. They did a fantastic job bringing this series back to consoles. 5/5 for a quality game that surpassed this ones expectations.

I’d definitely heard of the Monster Hunter series prior to playing this game, but it never really piqued my interest. A buddy of mine put this one on my radar, and the only reason I was initially interested was because they used Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn) as a marketing tool, and I’m a big fan of that game and character. Once I started playing the game, Aloy was the furthest thing from my mind as this was one of the best games I’ve ever played. Sure, you’re made to feel like you’re a badass hunter that can take ANY monster down. However, as you progress further in the game, and the monsters get tougher and tougher, you’ll start asking yourself: “Wait a second; who’s hunting whom?” During my two and a half month long playthrough, here are the 8 things that jumped out at me. [1] Time… As of writing this review, I’ve played Monster Hunter: World for roughly 200 hours, which shatters my previous time of 113 hours. It felt like a quick 200 hours though, because for the most part, there was always a ‘goal’ that I was working towards. I would often tell myself that I was only going to play for an hour, and if I didn’t accomplish what I wanted to in an hour’s time, I would ‘retire’ for the night. Nope, that rarely happened. I kept playing match after match, until I realized I’d been playing for more than 3 hours! Please be aware that this game is designed to be addictive. [2] Grinding… As I talked about in the aforementioned paragraph; MHW is designed to take up a lot of your time. I’m the type of gamer who gets bored with the idea of doing the same stuff over and over again; so that’s why I never replay games. With that being said, the grind was part of the Monster Hunter fun! I didn’t mind fighting the same monsters over and over because each encounter still felt fresh and different. I’ve probably fought the infamous Anjanath (The T-Rex) 30 times, and I can tell you each time felt a little different. These battles are not really scripted, so anything can happen. For example, while you’re fighting Anjanath, another ‘predator’ might drop in and start fighting with both of you!! Or, maybe you’re fighting him alongside a friend or two, which could change the complexion of the battle. Keep in mind this is the type of game that forces you to work hard for the gear and upgrades you want, as nothing will be handed to you. [3] Multiplayer… This will be the one thing that keeps me coming back to this game for months to come. Although I enjoyed doing some of the missions by myself; playing online with others is when I had the most fun. You’ll be able to play with up to three others, and I never had trouble finding random people to play with. Personally, I think it’s best to join a match in progress, as opposed to being the host. When you’re looking for a match to join, you’ll be able to see the rank of the players who are already in the quest. When you’re the host, you don’t know who the hell might join. I can think of quite a few times where lower leveled people (you can see their rank once they join) joined my quests, only to get carted 3 times within a few minutes, thus causing me to fail the quest. You can definitely enjoy the game and beat it by yourself, but playing with others takes the edge off some of the tougher battles. [4] Monsters… It shouldn't take a savant to figure out the Monsters are the star of the show. They start off easy enough (I’m looking at you, Great Jagras), but will get harder and harder as the story develops. They’ll come in all shapes and sizes, and you’re sure to find one you enjoy hunting more than the others! Please allow me to get a little nerdy for a second. There are 6 major classes of Monsters, and I’ll give you a brief overview of each one. The Brute Wyverns (my favorite) will be your bulkier, stronger monsters. The Flying Wyverns (my least favorite to fight) are obviously the monsters who can fly. The Fanged Wyverns are of the leaner, quicker variety. The Piscine Wyverns are ‘fish’, while the Bird Wyverns are usually the smallest of all the monsters. The 6th class? Nah, I won’t spoil that for you. If you make it to the second half of the game; you’ll see for yourself ;) [5] Palico… While I enjoyed multiplayer more than I did flying solo, I must say your little Palico sidekick is a good reason to play more often by yourself. Just to be clear, your Palico can join you in multiplayer as well, as long as your party does not exceed 2 players (including yourself). Palicos are adorable little feline companions that you can design, as well as give them a name. In my opinion, they can hold their own; especially since you can equip them with a weapon, a special device, and armor. Depending on which device you give them, you may be surprised at how often they’ll get you out of a jam. [6] Combat… I’ve read a lot of mixed opinions about the combat; but for me, it’s as simple as this: It’s fantastic. Look, combat will largely depend on your weapon type. Many people have said how ‘slow’ the combat felt, and I’m assuming they were using a slow weapon, such as the hammer. I don’t really like slow combat, so I chose to go with a quicker weapon (Longsword). You’ll be able to use any of the 14 weapons from the beginning of the game, and I think that’s a good thing. Heck, there’s even a way to practice using any of the weapons without any monsters bothering you (training area). If you like combat that revolves around mobility and blocking attacks, then maybe the sword and shield are for you. If you’re like me, and you enjoy swift combat that uses combos and evasion; you should try the Longsword or the Twin Daggers. Maybe think about using the Hammer or Great Sword if you like weapons that pack a MIGHTY punch! If you see yourself as a ‘support’ type of a player in multiplayer, then the Hunting Horn should be a viable option. If you’re easily bored with trivial combat, and would like to step up your game, then the Switch Axe or Charge Blade is for you!! Or, maybe melee combat isn’t your style? MHW still has you covered because there are a couple of long-ranged weapons to choose from. Anyone who says the combat is ‘bad’ is too lazy to try all of the weapons as there’s something for everyone. [7] DLC… I admittedly hate most DLCs because they’re charging us for content that should have been included for free. With that being said, MHW does it the right way, as the DLC will be FREE! So far, we’ve received one new Monster to hunt. For those keeping score at home, it’s another Brute Wyvern. I’m looking forward to seeing what else they have in store for us. [8] Difficulty… Ok, this will be a hard game that’ll often push you to your limits, but it’s not on the level of Bloodborne, Dark Souls, Nioh, etc. The biggest difference between MHW and the aforementioned games is how it starts off. Those other games are extremely hard from the very beginning, and they’re not easing you into anything. MHW starts off pretty mild. Remember that Great Jagras guy I mentioned earlier in the review? I’m 99% sure my non-gaming wife can beat him, lol. The monsters will get harder as you go along, and because of the way the missions are structured, you’ll never fight a monster ‘too early’ for your level (unless you just really, really want to). The one other thing I will say about the difficulty is once you make it to the second part of the game, it may be a good idea to start teaming up with others. Remember that 6th class I didn't name? They’ll be hard as heck to kill by yourself, and I’ll leave it at that… Based on some the previous games I’ve played and enjoyed; Monster Hunter: World doesn’t sound like a game I would like. Once I had a chance to sit down with it and give it a fair shake, it turned out to be one of the better games I’ve played. Don’t let the grinding and the big ‘scary’ monsters deter you from trying it out. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Have an open mind and give it a shot. God of War PS4; you’re up next!!

This game has been really fun so far - I have enjoyed it playing solo, with a friend, as well as with random folks online using the "SOS" feature. I had not played a MH game before, but knew they were pretty popular. For anyone who hasn't played the concept is pretty straight forward - you track and hunt giant monsters. Tracking the monsters and fighting them is the meat of the game, but there is also a ton of depth when it comes to crafting items and making weapons/armor. I knocked off a star because I think they could have done a better job in handling save data - there is no built in cloud save, so if you end up playing on different PS consoles (like I do) you will find yourself at risk of losing playtime occasionally. Other than this the game has been great, and to me it feels a sort of like a multiplayer version of monster fighting in the Witcher.

As someone who has played the previous monster hunter games, I am satisfied with how Capcom decided to approach Monster Hunter World. When I heard about the release of this game I was excited that monster hunter would get a full graphic game that is on par with other graphically beautiful game. This game meets up to the expectation with a new modern look and stylish gameplay. If your looking to start into the monster hunter franchise this is it. Monster hunter world is a beautiful game with a beautiful environment and I got immediately immersed into the game. As I started I was unaware of what this new monster hunter game entail. Changes from the old Monster Hunter games: As I was playing there seemed to be a lot of quality of life changes. The map is not divided into areas/section like the previous game. (You can't just escape into a different area to potion etc.). You can drink potions while moving. You can pick up certain materials while moving and running making material farming a lot quicker. The monsters in the game interact with each other and responds to the environment they are in. When different monsters are met they will fight. Online matchmaking is a lot simpler as well. The hunters can now join a SOS and join the match mid battle. and gathering halls can now have up to 16 people. These are just a few changes. There are a lot of things that made the quality of life in the game a lot better than the previous ones. Performance: I have a playstation 4 pro and running the game in 4k is truly amazing. It runs perfectly fine and runs smoothly. I have not experienced lag at all during online or solo play and I have put in 200+ hours. There a bit of a load time compared to the previous games which is understandable due to the quality that monster hunter world brings. During online plays I have no problems with disconnecting except for just a hand full of times. This is most likely a feature that comes with having good internet. I play online through a wireless connection and it seems to run really smoothly. Overall: I am extremely satisfied with game overall. It is what I expected from a upgraded version of the previous monster hunter series. There are less monsters than Monster hunter XX, but its not the final or ultimate version of the series. The game seems to have gotten slightly simpler and the monster don't seem as hard, but its not a huge change. The creators themselves have mentioned that they "dumbed it down so that the new generation of monster hunter players can enjoy the game a bit more." I really suggest getting this game even if you have never played a monster hunter game. If you always wanted to start a Monster Hunter game/series this is a really good time to jump in

I've only played a few other games in this series but this one is by far the best put together of them all. What felt like almost chaos on the DS has evolved in a beautiful detailed world of challenging hunts and loads of game play. They have set it up to be much more welcoming to newcomers but some may still find everything very intimidating, so I can't recommend this for people who enjoy pick up and play games where you learn the controls in a matter of minutes. However, those who do enjoy games with a challenge and a lot of problem solving (trust me, you'll get your head chomped off by a wyvern or two) will soon learn to love the diversity that monster hunter world offers. Each weapon style is a game in itself, so sometimes it's only a matter of trying new things to find something you enjoy. There's just so many options! The best thing about monster hunter is it is like playing a game that is nothing but boss fights, each unique and fun to figure out a strategy to beat. Another bonus is that there is a very large community of veteran players out there and are willing to help with guides and information, down to some very crunchy technical details if you want to get that in depth. I almost gave this game only 4 stars, mostly because I try and judge games based on a variety of factors and let's face it, even if I love the game that doesn't mean it's perfect. I do feel that there is still a lot that might turn away new players but when you add together the gorgeous graphics and how many improvements they have made to the world it's hard not to call this a very solid game. My only true complaint is the party system, it can be very hard to find players to run with, let alone your friends but perhaps they will address this in a patch. To old players who might be wondering if they will like it, all I have to say is: Yes. Yes, you will. To new players unsure if they will like it: Pick it up and do some exploring. There is no fully describing the game unless you give it a good try.

First off, I will admit that I am an all-time Monster Hunter fan and have started from the PSP version. I have been so excited since I knew MHW is coming to PS4. That being said, I want to objectively give my review on this game after nearly 60 hour gameplay (Yes I’m an addict) I’ve read through some one stars reviews and one of the biggest complaint is that the controls are hard/weird. I can see where it comes from on certain weapons but keep in mind you have 14 kinds of weapons! The weaponry variety is simply amazing and that’s one of the biggest reason I love the game. So, if you are new to the game and feel like you hate the controls, maybe consider trying a different weapon. My recommend to beginners? Dual blade or long sword. Alright let’s talk about the things I like about this game. 1. Great graphics. The maps are gorges and the fights are epic. 2. Guiding bug. This thing is so handy and it’s such a logical touch because it really gives you the feeling of tracking monsters. 3. Story. Story has never ever been a strong case in MH series but I actually feel like the story in MHW is well layered and all maps are not at all isolated in the original way. 4. Details details details. There are so many times as I play I was impressed by the well plotted details of this game. You can catch small wild creatures and put them in your house. (don’t worry you will have a stunning house as the story goes) You can find a well-developed eco-system. It’s not like old time when another monster comes in they always gang up together against you lol. You can utilize all kinds of environmental advantages in the fights. How about some cons about the game? 1. The story at the beginning of the game is too long. You won’t be able to play around until like 30 mins later. I understand this is for the sake of new players and to show the new map but the execution was not ideal. 2. Not enough monsters. I enjoy the new joined monsters and understand this is supposed to be “new world” but I kinda miss some of the old friends. I’m looking forward to see them in the DLC though. 3. Weapon designs. The weapon upgrade system is simplified, which is a good thing but that doesn’t mean you can just repaint the same weapon over and over again and count them as different weapons. And some of them are lacking the curb appear from my opinion. Overall I want to say if you are a MH fan and haven’t bought this game yet – what are you waiting for? If you have never played MH series before but you enjoyed Nioh, dark souls, bloodborne, give MHW a try you may fall in love with it. If the most action game you can handle is easy mode in dynasty warriors, you might want to skip this.

I bought this as a birthday gift for my 15 year old brother, who really enjoys challenging, achievement based games. We played a little together, and I was really impressed by the graphics quality and amount of customizable features. The learning curve is a little steep at first, but my brother actually really enjoyed that because it makes for more interesting game play down the road. He's really enjoyed how difficult the monsters can be, and how many different quests he can do. I also like that, while it is a monster hunting game, it doesn't feel too violent and manages to stay fairly lighthearted. I think this is a good investment and a good game for both young and older gamers!

I have dabbled occasionally in Monster Hunter series in the past. I put over 100 hours into Monster Hunter 4U, but never quite made it much into High Rank. A little past halfway points, I was burned out, due to the older game requiring you to clear highly recycled content in the critical quests, such as fighting two monsters you had already beaten individually, or having to fight frenzied versions of the monster too, or doing the exact same quest, but as a multiplayer variant. Add to this the lack of a proper second stick or good triggers on the 3DS, and the inability to easily hook up online into the community to get over the rough spots, and I missed out roughly half of the content. I am getting close to that point in Monster Hunter World, and luckily multiplayer and single player are united now, the quests are structred with a progression of new monsters instead of having to fight the old one three times over, and online matchmaking, while a bit behind the times, is a viable way to ensure continued progress. In fact several of the monsters seem to be in optional quest fights only which increases the impression of passing through an actual ecosystem instead of a game level. Many of the more peaceful monsters leave you alone to do your research, which is a nice touch. Auto crafting, infinite whetstones, pickaxes, and such, and the separate inventory space for monster parts add hugely to the quality of life, and let you focus on the real tasks at hand, such as bashing the face of a monster in, decorating your room with fancy pets, roaming around town in tight fitting leather and fur armor sets, and pondering if that poogie actually likes you. The graphics are great to look at, and new monster designs are generally awesome. This is the game that sucks you in for the long haul, and refuses to release its grip on you. There is always the next challenge around the corner, and all the preparation needed for it. Why am I here, typing this when I would be out hunting. Go buy this.