At first glance, Monster Hunter World and Anthem seem to have little in common. However, upon closer examination, our author Leya finds that there are parallels that may appeal to fans of both games.
I know. Comparing these two games may sound bold at first. When I first made this comparison in the editorial office, it was laughed at. It’s not surprising, because:
- In Anthem, we find ourselves in a futuristic dystopia where we, as mercenaries, fight with awesome battle suits against fascist space Nazis. There are machine guns, grenades, and laser weapons.
- In Monster Hunter World, we take on the role of a hunter who hunts gigantic beasts like the dinosaur-like Anjanath to keep the ecosystem in balance. The world is fantastic and appears almost prehistoric. Here, we fight with swords, hammers, and bows.
Still, I felt a certain feeling while watching the first gameplay of Anthem. That feeling has formed into a definite image in my mind:
Anthem and Monster Hunter World are related.
The worlds are mystical with a strong ecosystem
For the first time, I thought of the comparison between Monster Hunter World and Anthem when I saw the game world of Anthem and moved around in it.
Both worlds play with their ecosystems and influence gameplay:
In Monster Hunter World, there are environmental traps. For example, there are frogs that paralyze humans and monsters when they are stepped on. Walls can be brought down to drag a monster into a rushing waterfall.
The Javelin suits in Anthem are particularly powerful when flying. Therefore, the developers incorporated a few elements that bring players down from the sky. The suits overheat after a while. Water cools the suits down again. If it is raining in the world, the Javelins can stay in the air longer. The same applies to hovering over water or along a waterfall.
Both titles are action RPGs
For a long time, it was assumed that Anthem would be a loot shooter like Destiny 2 or Warframe. Interestingly, BioWare itself classifies Anthem as an action RPG. This is exactly the same designation that Capcom uses for Monster Hunter World.
Neither is a classic RPG, but they want to build their foundation here.
In both games, character development plays a central role: Equipment and levels need to be improved for new challenges.
In Anthem, there are different difficulty levels, through which players encounter stronger enemies. These have more defense and attack.
In Monster Hunter World, there is the Hunter rank, through which players face stronger monsters. The monsters then gain new levels that give them more health, new moves, and more damage.
This also creates a loot spiral that provides long-term motivation in both titles. The thrill of obtaining and crafting new equipment motivates players to take down larger foes.
The focus is on co-op, not PvP
The entire Monster Hunter franchise has always been a pure co-op experience. A version where players compete against each other will probably never be found in a Monster Hunter game.
PvP is unlikely in Anthem for now: BioWare does not completely rule out that Anthem might get a PvP mode. However, the focus remains on playing together against the game world for the moment. This will likely remain the case for a long time, as many fans also desire a purely PvE experience for Anthem.
Both titles can be played solo in theory but are the most fun in a group.
Everything is exaggerated and powerful
Both games fulfill the fantasy of being a powerful hero:
In Anthem, the idea of the superhero has been the basis for the game from the very beginning. That’s why the Javelins can fly. The developers wanted everything to be exaggerated and powerful. When stomping around with the large, heavy Colossus, one can feel its massive strength. The Interceptor runs at a speed akin to the Flash.
In Monster Hunter World, the superhero fantasy is not central. Nevertheless, the hunters are celebrated as heroes and are stronger than ordinary humans. They wear outrageously heavy armor and carry ridiculously large weapons.
Both games convey a similar feeling here.
The setting is more similar than you think
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the settings are actually fundamentally different. But in a way, they are not.
In both games, we find ourselves in a delimited area where we protect the humans from monsters coming from outside. In Anthem, there is Fort Tarsis and in Monster Hunter World, there is Astera.
Those who move outside the city face danger. In Monster Hunter World, there is no complex enemy, like the Dominion in Anthem. Here, it’s simply monsters that disrupt the ecosystem.
Nevertheless, we essentially do the same thing: We go out as heroes into the dangerous world beyond the walls and complete quests. In doing so, we protect our city from monsters.
Here are the biggest differences
Of course, Monster Hunter World and Anthem also have significant differences. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be different games.
- Enemy mechanics: Monster Hunter World has complex enemy mechanics, where each monster resembles a raid boss. Players must learn these patterns to defeat them. The AI in Anthem often comes off as rather simplistic.
- Complexity of the story: Anthem has a much more intense story. In Monster Hunter World, the story is only a side note. Cutscenes only serve to introduce a new monster. In Anthem, there is a complete storyline here.
- Live Service: Monster Hunter World is not classified as a “Games-as-a-Service” game. It is not meant to be expanded and run for years. Eventually, a new main entry will come. Anthem, on the other hand, is intended to be developed for many years and to continue telling the story of Anthem like a Netflix series.
If you like Monster Hunter World, you might enjoy Anthem:
- the mysterious and breathtaking game world with great attention to detail
- the focus on a pure co-op experience where the team must be coordinated
- the grind for increasingly powerful equipment to take down stronger enemies
- the development of your character and their builds
- a setting where you are the great protector of your city and keep the monsters outside
If you like Monster Hunter World, you might find Anthem bothersome:
- the rigid AI of the enemies. In Monster Hunter World, it’s the well-staged and intelligent monster fights that define the game.
What do you think of this theory? Can we compare Anthem and Monster Hunter World?
