In Monster Hunter, it is very much about fighting, looting, and crafting, but other aspects are also quite important. One of them benefits the most from better technology and more details. The animations of the many creatures are just as important as the combat, believes MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes.
Which animations are meant? In Monster Hunter, the fights are in focus. You complete quests, hunt monsters, and craft new equipment and weapons. It sounds quite simple, but a big aspect of the games takes place outside of combat and crafting.
It is the design of the world and the small details in many animations or routines that you don’t see at first glance. One of the best examples is cooking. Aside from the actual cutscene, small things happen that make the village in Monster Hunter World so vibrant.
In a TikTok video, this can be seen quite well. In the video, you can see the kitchen in the hub area of Monster Hunter Iceborne. Next to the cook is a small Palico, who is first baking bread. This does not happen in a short animation, but in a larger routine.
First, the dough is prepared and kneaded. Then it goes into the oven. These animations last almost a minute. Although they are so tiny, it is precisely these things that make Monster Hunter so special.
Small details with a big effect
What is so special about it? One could bluntly say that every game with more details becomes better immediately, but in Monster Hunter it is special because it essentially presents us with a living flora and fauna.
Without that, you could simply fight in arenas. The animations with the Palicos represent the dynamics of the Palicos and their role in the world. They are not just sidekicks of the hunters, they are supporters of humanity in general. They cook, take care of plants, and also handle the procurement of other goods. This helps to give them a better place in the world.
Palicos are simply not just dull NPCs; they feel like real existing beings.
Besides that, my greatest fascination with the entire series is the interaction of the monsters with each other and within the world. The monsters are so much more than simple boss fights; they live in this world, have their own rivalries, symbioses, or shelters.
This makes me feel not like someone who controls the world, but like a guest in a living place. With each installment of the series, this is getting better. In Wilds, I am most looking forward to the monster herds and the weather effects, as they have the potential to make the world of Monster Hunter even more vibrant and fascinating.
Also quest texts and the appearance of monsters enhance immersion
Along with the thoughtful routines and animations, there are also quest texts and comments from NPCs that provide even more context. One of the best innovations in the last installments was the fights between monsters. They showcase rivalries and power dynamics between the individual monsters.
Also, the designs of the monsters help make the imagined biology and ecology seem so real. Just like in the animal kingdom, you can tell if an animal is poisonous or how it defends itself.
Monster Hunter simply has the perfect mix for me, which other clones
cannot achieve, and it is not just because of the fighting or the gameplay loop; it is due to the quality and the eye for details in all the little things that you cannot detect at first glance – and of course also because of the cute cats, which is why you enjoy exploring this world so much. 8 new features that make Monster Hunter Wilds better than its predecessors
