Monster Hunter World(MHW from here on) is a monster hunting rpg. While it may sound simple, quite the opposite is true. From the fully functional ecosystems to the hundreds(* maybe thousands eventually) of weapon and armor combinations the Monster Hunter franchise really is a one of a kind game series. MHW basically takes everything that was good about the previous entries and cranks it to 11. The graphics are beautiful, the monsters are intelligent, the world feels alive, and most importantly it makes you feel responsible for your own success. When you finally down that monster you've been stuck on for days, you know that it was your own skill, ingenuity, and preparation that made it happen, not just random chance. This game is challenging, but also very rewarding.
MHW came out about 2 weeks ago on PC( it's been out on consoles since January but I refuse to buy games twice) and I've been playing ever since. MHW is not the kind of game that you can review after a few hours, or even a few days. Part of why I love it is because every time you start a new game it feels like taking the first step in a grand adventure. There is so much to see and do in this game 100 hours wouldn't be enough to see it all, especially when the developers continue to update the game( for free btw) with new items and monsters regularly and hold cross over events with other franchises. I feel comfortable now to talk a little bit about the game and what I think. First off, let me just say, wow. I've played Monster Hunter games before( freedom unite on PSP got me through 7th and 8th grade) but MHW is on a whole different level. The world is seamless, loading on my PC takes less than 5 seconds when you leave town and is completely seamless when you are out in the zones. It really feels like you are living in this other world. If you are like me and haven't played in a while then MHW is the perfect place to jump back in. The game is the first of the series to take place in the "New World" so many monsters and all of the locations are being explored for the first time. There is no need for any knowledge of previous games or lore to enjoy MHW( though it is fun to learn more about the world when you get in to it). Let me just get this out of the way too, the PC port is great, other than a few launch bugs which have been taken care of, and the wonky matchmaking( more on that later) the game runs flawlessly.
Let's get into the features. As I said above the AI and ecosystems are very impressive. From the smallest insect to the largest Elder Dragons every creature lives a unique and realistic life. They hunt, eat, drink, fight , and sleep. Not always in that order and seldom when it's convenient for you. Some of my most exciting moments in the game so far have been when another giant monster decides it would like to kill the same target I'm after. Some of these fights are really spectacular and the animations look amazing. Another great part of MHW is the sound, not just the music(which is great) but also the sound designs of the monsters and environments. Put on some headphones and close your eyes in the Ancient Forest Zone and you will see what I mean. It really does feel like someone dropped you in the middle of a strange land. Combat takes some getting used to, but when you get the hang of it, it is fun, fluid, and quite robust. 14 different weapons all feature unique play-styles and mechanics and are a great way to keep the game fresh. The crafting system( the star of the show) is deep and also takes a little getting used to but is deeply satisfying and holds your attention well. The campaign is ok but not really where the game shines. The game is fun solo, but the hutns really come alive in MHW comes when you gather a group of 4 people together and set out on a quest together, and that brings me to the one stumbling block in MHW, the matchmaking.
On the whole the matchmaking is fine, once you finish the story. Until then it is a real chore/headache to play with friends and random other hunters looking for a group. That is my only real complaint with the game, and overall it is pretty minor considering what you get for the $60 price tag. At the end of the day MHW is a great game and one of the best values to come out in a long time. Sometimes you are lucky to get 8 hours out of a full priced game but with MHW you can easily expect 100+. Let me give a small warning to go along with this though, this game is not for everyone, there are no easy ways out. You will die, no monster dies without a fight and face-rolling through the game will not get you far. Be prepared to work hard for your kills and to think tactically, slaying monsters isn't for the faint of heart. Having said that, if you enjoy a challenging, deep, and beautiful game that you can lose yourself for hours in then pick up MHW. This game is a unique experience to be sure. I'll leave you with the launch trailer, thanks for reading!
