Monster Hunter World was your entry into the series and you enjoyed the action RPG. Are you now considering buying Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (XX) for the Nintendo Switch? It is important to note that both games differ significantly in some ways.
Capcom announced Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (XX) for the Nintendo Switch. This game will offer you a “classic” Monster Hunter experience. Many comfort features and modernizations that you know from Monster Hunter World are not present here. However, you can expect over 80 monsters and special combat moves tied to hunting styles.
“Monster Hunter Generations” is the main installment that came before World
Monster Hunter Generations was released in 2016 on the Nintendo 3DS. It is the fourth main entry in the series. Monster Hunter World was released in early 2018 and is number 5.
Those who switch from Monster Hunter World to Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate are essentially taking a step back. This can also be seen in the graphics:
“Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate” is an expansion
With the Ultimate version, Capcom is bringing a DLC for Monster Hunter Generations to the Nintendo Switch. These Ultimate expansions are typical for the franchise.
They usually include the G-Rank, which makes monsters stronger and gives them more health or new moves. Additionally, there are always a few new contents. In the case of Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, there are two new hunting styles with special combat moves.
Many comfort features from World are missing
Capcom wanted to conquer the West with Monster Hunter World and modernize the franchise. Therefore, some comfort features were introduced that do not exist in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate.
Weapon downgrading: If you have created and upgraded a weapon, it is impossible to take it apart again.
Wish lists: In World, you can specify which equipment you want on the wish list. Once you have the materials for it, the list notifies you. This list does not exist in Generations.
Seamless transitions between zones: Each map is divided into zones marked by numbers. In Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, you will have to go through a loading screen every time you switch zones.
Multiple camps on the map: There is only one camp per map where you can retreat. However, the maps are smaller.
Canteen in the camp: Canteens where you get meals for buffs are only outside the map. Therefore, you must eat before embarking on a mission.
Fast travel to camps: You have to walk to the camp on the map; there is no fast travel.
Equipment exchange in camps: Only the equipment you selected before the mission is available. You cannot change it at the camp.
Displayed resource points on the map: If you find certain resources like bones in World, these will be saved on the map. In Generations, you have to remember the resource points.
Scout flies instead of color markers: Scout flies pick up the trail of a monster and lead you to your target. In Generations, you must mark the monsters yourself with a color ball. The color ball loses its effect over time. Tracking a monster can take longer this way.
Displayed weaknesses of monsters: Through the monster encyclopedia, you learn what weaknesses a monster has and what loot it drops. This is not the case in Generations.
Damage numbers: There is no indicator that tells you how much damage you have dealt.
Speaking NPCs: The characters in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate do not speak with you. There are only displayed texts.
Auto-crafting: You must manually craft consumables.
Using items while walking: If you want to use a consumable like a health potion, you must stand still.
Unlimited whetstones: You must craft whetstones, and they are consumed. If you run out of whetstones on a quest and your weapon has lost all sharpness, you have a problem.
Pie menu for items: The pie menu that allows quick access to consumables does not exist. You only have the scroll menu available.
The gameplay is different, especially in combat
From the gameplay, you can expect roughly the same in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate as in World. You will mostly be busy hunting monsters and improving your equipment.
However, there will still be a few differences.
Hunting styles and hunting techniques
With the hunting styles, you specialize in a certain combat style. Each style grants you various evasive actions, special attacks, and different hunting techniques. Monster Hunter Generations had four hunting styles. The Ultimate DLC coming to the Switch adds two new styles as an expansion.
The six hunting styles in Monster Hunter XX and what they do:
- Bravery – New: rewards successful attacks with new moves
- Alchemy Style – New: support items can be crafted quickly in combat
- Guild Style: classic Monster Hunter gameplay
- Aerial Style: allows attacks from the air
- Slasher Style: three instead of two hunting techniques can be used
- Counter Style: faster attacks and counters
The hunting techniques are large, dramatic actions. To execute them, a technique gauge must be filled, which happens by attacking monsters. You can then perform actions like wide sweeping attacks or absolute evasion.
Hunting as a Palico in Prowler mode
In Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, you can also hunt monsters as a Palico. To do this, you must first recruit the cats as allies. Once you register your ally as a Prowler, you can control the cat yourself. You can switch between Palico and your hunter at will.
Armors based on weapon types: In World, your armors and weapons are independent of each other. In Generations, some sets can only be worn in combination with specific weapon types. They are divided into Blademaster (melee) and Shooter (ranged).
Weapons must be crafted instead of upgraded: The weapon tree in World works such that you mostly upgrade your weapons. In Generations, you mostly have to craft new weapons.
The environment cannot be used: World offers a vivid ecosystem where you can actively use nature in gameplay. In Generations, there are no bomb toads or vines that you can use to influence monsters. Monsters also do not have territory fights in Generations.
Multiplayer and single-player are strictly separated: You have quests available that you can play solo and those you can play with friends.
There is no drop-in: You cannot join ongoing quests and there is no SOS signal.
There is no clear main quest line: World was the first part of the series to follow a clear story quest line. Generations has less story and does not have a clearly defined structure.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate has more monsters and maps
Monster Hunter Generations is one of the most extensive games in the series and is set to be further expanded with the Ultimate version. Here there are:
- More than 80 large monsters
- 23 maps to explore
Monster Hunter World has about 35 large monsters and 9 areas in comparison. We do not know how many more monsters or maps the game may be expanded with.
If the age of Monster Hunter Generations does not bother you, you can purchase it without worry
Leya says: If you got into the series with Monster Hunter World and enjoyed it, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate could certainly be interesting for you. The gameplay remains the same, and you will experience a fun grind.
The hunting styles and the Prowler mode, where you become a Palico yourself, give you plenty of room to experiment and specialize.
However, you will also encounter outdated mechanics. The game is therefore much more cumbersome than you are used to in World. But if you don’t mind “losing” the comfort features or modernizations, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate rewards you with extensive content and mechanics.
In the video below, you can check out some Switch gameplay of Monster Hunter XX.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate will be released on August 28, 2018, for the Nintendo Switch.
