How the release version of Monster Hunter: World plays as a noob

Our author Robert takes on the challenge: What is it like to play Monster Hunter: World for someone who has never held a game from the series?

As a long-suffering Destiny player, who finds it increasingly difficult to dodge the hurdles Bungie wants to throw in my path, I am always on the lookout for new games that can captivate me in the long term.

I want to dive deep into a world where there is a lot to do and discover. Monster Hunter: World seems perfect for this. The game is set to release worldwide on January 26, 2018, first on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One – a PC release is also planned for Fall 2018.

We at Mein MMO are already allowed to take a look at the release version and report on up to a certain point in the story.

As a newbie, I have deliberately avoided informing myself about the old installments. I have only picked up that I will have to deal with increasingly difficult and larger opponents, from whose remains weapons and armor can be crafted.

This is supposed to provide long-term motivation and the grind that I painfully miss in Destiny 2. So how do the first hours of the new installment play out from the perspective of a total noob? Let’s find out!

Note: The following text contains minimal spoilers from the first hours of the story. Proceed at your own risk!

Setting off into a new world – for me and my alter ego!

Since I am completely uninitiated in the ways of Monster Hunter, the first few minutes leave me confused. It seems I am on my way to a new world – and the journey turns out to be quite a disaster by the end.

What happened to the “old” world? What exactly am I supposed to do in the new world? Questions to which I still have no answers after two hours. That’s not a problem; as a big fan of the Souls series from From Software, I’m used to figuring out the background story of a game myself.

I don’t know if the world of Monster Hunter games is always the same or if every installment reveals a new world – but as a newbie, I am motivated to learn more about the world and the story behind it.

In between, I get to create my character – and for that, you should plan a lot of time!

The Character Editor – endless possibilities

I spend more than an hour just designing my character and my Palico. At this point, I did not know what role the Palico plays – a cat-like creature – but it looks quite adorable.

Later, I learn that the Palico seems to be a kind of companion that also assists me in battle and even has its own equipment. This adds more depth to the fights, even if I am of course not entirely clear about the full extent of it yet.

But back to character creation. The possibilities are endless. You can change the face as you see fit. The entire color spectrum is also available for eyes, hair, and beard. The various facial features can be changed and repositioned at will.

As I am blessed with the talent of always creating a character who remains alone in online lobbies due to his appearance, a man with silver hair and red eyes emerges – complete with a scar on his face. Go big or go home.

https://youtu.be/eCHzFaXizYA

I can also let loose with the Palico. The fur can be given different patterns, and the colors are fully configurable. If you’re in a hurry, you can also simply select a randomly generated character and Palico.

The way to the base – like Kimble on the run

After some dramatic scenes, I finally land in the new world. I need to find a large base camp. Since I had already admired a small glimpse of the local fauna, I felt quite naked and lost without a weapon.

The path to this base camp is linear. While I familiarize myself with the controls, I experience a first taste of the local wildlife – which does not seem friendly.

Without adequate slicing tools, I unfortunately have only the option to flee. And this escape is excellently staged. Two heavy chunks cross my path and are at each other’s throats. Here, for the first time, I notice the size differences between human and creature. Am I supposed to hunt these beasts later? Cool!

I receive help from a local. He carries a great sword that makes Cloud’s Buster sword from Final Fantasy VII look like a toothpick. My first thought upon seeing the weapon: “I want that thing too!”

With the help of the sword-swinging stranger, I manage to escape to the base.

The camp – the center of Monster Hunter: World?

The base camp feels like the social hub of the game from the first moment, with all the threads coming together here:

• Equipment management
• Purchase and upgrade of new weapons and armor
• Numerous NPCs
• Quest acceptance and management

The camp could easily serve as a small town, but the relevant points of interest are quickly internalized. Navigation is made easier by the always displayed mini-map.

However, there isn’t much time for exploration – after several cutscenes, I gain access to my own dwelling, complete with a household Palico and loot chest. I can use this chest freely.

Thus, I acquire my first weapons and a bulky armor set that I immediately equip (you want to be prepared against the big beasts).

Practical: I immediately have the opportunity to test my equipped weapons in a specially set up training area. This is useful, as each weapon allows for different combos that need to be practiced.

After trying out a few weapons, I decide on a combination of sword and shield, as I find quick attacks suit me better than the cumbersome movements of a great sword.

The first quest – down with the lizards!

The first quest turns out to be relatively simple. I need to hunt seven representatives of the species that chased me through the forest at the beginning of the game. I am supported by the adventurer who saved my behind earlier.

The combat system strongly reminds me of From Software’s Souls series. Whether it also offers the steep learning curve remains to be seen. The item and equipment management shows similarities. The setting, however, is fundamentally different. While the Souls games dominate depressive moods and dark colors, Monster Hunter: World is at least sunny and friendly in the starting area.

The lizards are quickly defeated. The dead bodies of defeated monsters can be looted. Apparently, the enemies drop multiple items, as I was able to obtain three different materials from one type of monster.

I could immediately use these in the forge at the camp to further upgrade my weapon. That’s how it should be: A successfully completed battle, with rewards that directly improve my attributes.

I have not seen much of the world of Monster Hunter: World yet. However, I can hardly wait to finally challenge the big creatures and, above all, learn more about the background story of the game.

If you happen to encounter a confused-looking hunter stumbling through the underbrush, it is very likely me. Be nice to me; I’m still learning!

Are you looking forward to the release? If you’re still undecided, you can soon participate in the open and final beta for Monster Hunter World that will start soon.

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