Prepare for Monster Hunter Wilds with a look back at the series’ evolution on PlayStation – PlayStation.Blog
Twenty years ago, the original Monster Hunter first introduced players to its ever-expanding arsenal of memorable weapons and monsters. Since then, the series has grown in popularity around the world and has been refined into one of gaming’s best multiplayer experiences. There’s still a special satisfaction that comes from taking down an unbelievably large creature with your skin, coordinating with your fellow hunters, and using everyone’s weapons and abilities individually. The ingenious way to overthrow the most fearsome enemies out there.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series – and Monster Hunter Wilds’ Upcoming release February 28 – Take a look at the series of series that have grown with PlayStation since its 2004 launch.
Monster Hunter | PS2
The greatest giants often emerge from humble beginnings. The game that started it all was released in Japan in March 2004, with a North American release a few months later in September and a European release in March 2005. It introduced Core gameplay would define Monster Hunter for decades to come: Progression and resource management drove quests, crafting weapons and armor, and the need to approach and attack ferocious monsters with combat. strategy, planning and Persevere and succeed.
By the series’ current standards, Monster Hunter seems a bit sparse, with only seven weapon types and thirty monsters (including many famous creatures like The Rathalos), but the game offers quite a bit of variety in Mission types and difficulties. Additionally, the game was designed around online multiplayer which was still somewhat of a novelty, even offering special event missions that could only be played online.
Monster Hunter did very well in Japan, and while Capcom worked on its follow-up, they released Monster Hunter G, an upgrade with improvements, new features, more monsters, and science missions higher.
Monster Hunter | PS2
The true sequel to Monster Hunter will appear at the end of the PS2 era and only in Japan. Monster Hunter DOS was released for the PlayStation 2 in February 2006, with new weapons, the addition of extras, a unique day/night and season system, and the addition of armor upgrades, among others. Many other small tweaks and improvements. Monster Hunter DOS was well received in Japan and was the last Monster Hunter game on the PS2. But for the larger global market and the future of Monster Hunter, Capcom is looking towards the PlayStation Portable.
Freelance Monster Hunter | PSP
Even before Monster Hunter DOS launched, Capcom wanted players to be able to hunt on the go. Monster Hunter Freedom, known as Monster Hunter Portable in Japan, was launched in December 2005 in Japan and in May 2006 for the rest of the world. It is based heavily on Monster Hunter G, offering both new monsters (including the debut of Yian Garuga) and premium tier quests for players to enjoy.
Looking back, it’s easy to see why the PSP felt like a true “Home” for Monster Hunter: the PSP’s capabilities for Adhoc local multiplayer, along with its advanced graphics capabilities and Similar controls, consistent with the gameplay of Monster Hunter like Vambrace. It was followed by Monster Hunter Freedom 2, who took cues from Monster Hunter DOS by expanding the weapon repertoire (adding staples like The Hunting Horn and Gunlance to the Armory) and revisiting other locales. each other of DOS.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite | PSP
“phenomenon” is exactly the word to describe how big Monster Hunter Freedom has become in Japan. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite was released in 2008 in Japan as Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, expanding on the success of the previous game and making Monster Hunter a household name. Freedom Unite would go on to sell 3.8 million copies globally, with many sales coming from Japan.
Based on Freedom 2, Freedom Unite delivered a series of quality-of-life improvements to the core experience while adding more environments, more monsters, additional monster behavior, and a variety of science missions. new high. It introduced the concept of CPU-controlled helper characters by offering solo players the use of a Felyne companion to assist in a Battle feature, a feature that later games will build.
Monster Hunter Portable 3RD | PSP
Hitting the PSP in late 2010, Monster Hunter Portable 3RD was another Japan-exclusive Monster Hunter title, though that didn’t stop it from becoming one of Capcom’s best-selling games. The 3rd Portable pushed the PSP to the max, displaying some of the best visuals on the system and setting a standard for high-quality visual designs that the series would continue in future installments. Mobile 3 also marked the first appearance of Zinogre, a fan-favorite monster to this day.
World Monster Hunter | PS4
If there was a turning point where Monster Hunter fervor became global, it was probably the monster hunter world of 2018. Led by the fearsome Dragon Nergigante, Monster Hunter World was a tremendous evolution. series both graphically and gameplay-wise, using the PS4 to create a seamless hunting experience in more ways than one.
Not only have the tutorials and first-hand experience been improved for those new to the job, but the “different” areas that make up the big hunting environment (and the required transition loading times) have been sorted out. into a large, open space for epic monster pursuit. And, for the first time, a Monster Hunter game has been released simultaneously worldwide, allowing players from around the world to collaborate and experience the thrill of coming up with new hunting strategies. together. True to the name of the game setting, it feels like a new world has opened up for the Monster Hunter series.
Monster Hunter World proved to be so successful globally that an expansion, Iceborne, released the next year, reintroducing some of the cold weather mechanics seen in previous Monster Hunter titles. Monster Hunter World continues to have an active player base to this day.
Monster Hunter Rising | PS5, PS4
Monster Hunter Rise, along with its mainline Monster Magnamalo, comes to PS5 and PS4 in early 2023. and Rampage Battles, where hunters are tasked with defending the village of Kamura from attack by several monsters at once, including especially dangerous peak monsters. Plus, besides hunting and capturing monsters, you can actually command giant beasts for a short time with the Wyvern riding feature.
The adventure has grown even bigger with the Sunbreak expansion, which takes hunters to distant realms, adds several new monsters (including the new flagship Beastie Malzeno), and additional hunting locales. New additions and skills for all weapons.
Wild Monster Hunter | PS5
Monster Hunter’s rise from Cult favorite to Japanese sensation to global popularity has been quite a ride, and anticipation for the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds has reached a fever pitch. From striking new weather effects to new abilities enabled by a bird-like mount called the Seikret, there’s a mountain of new features for players to consider.
Last year’s closed beta attracted a lot of interest from both old and new players. Luckily for those of you itching to get that horn out for a trip to forbidden lands, you won’t have to wait too much longer—Monster Hunter Wilds will be released on February 28th. .
