Mobile open-world MH port
Monster Hunter Now is a free-to-play role-playing game (RPG) from franchise publishers Capcom, teaming up with augmented reality game developer Niantic. This team-up aims to bring the hit Monster Hunter (MH) franchise to modern mobile devices. Through the use of device cameras, players will see massive dragons and other mythical creatures.
In the vein of previous MH games, Monster Hunter Now will allow players to team up with other players in the same area to hunt certain creatures. Unlike Pokémon GO, however, it still combines fully generated stages in boss encounters instead of a pure AR experience.
Hunt monsters in the real world
Monster Hunter Now is obviously different from previous entries in the franchise. The addition of an augmented reality aspect will have players going around. However, instead of simply moving around through the lens of their phone camera, this entry will still rely on customizable avatars. Your hunter will still wield weapons and fight on your behalf. You will, however, have to find monsters that are scattered everywhere.
In true MH fashion, expect a good variety of weapons and armor sets available for players to collect and upgrade. Additionally, your fighting moves depend on your weapon, from different swords to bowguns and lances. Also, expect some of the franchise’s beloved and feared monsters to appear in various locations in the real world. Whether popular beasts like Kirin and Rajang will make an appearance remains to be seen.
Of course, it’s also subject to the same learning curve as other MH games. It has a rather complex combat mechanic, requiring you to hit specific monster targets or keep in mind your weapon’s sharpness. Like most games that aren’t accessible to casual players, expect the same difficulty scaling to exist here. Also, the remapping of MH control systems to touchscreen devices is something to prepare for.
Best of both worlds
The real-world integration of Niantic’s AR tech plus the already-established brand of action and adventure from Monster Hunter puts a lot of expectations on Monster Hunter Now. This is definitely an all-new experience for fans of either subgenre, which makes it more of a must-try. Still, the steep learning curve of the MH games applies here, plus being a mobile port, could make it more challenging and less immediately enjoyable.
