This week, I will be talking about a new game I got last week, MHW (Monster Hunter World). A few weeks ago, I talked about MHGU (Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate). In that blog, I talked about how I might get another game in the franchise, and of last week I have one now. Since the main objectives in all monster games are somewhat similar, I will be highlighting the differences between MHGU and MHW.
The most obvious difference when you first launch the game is definitely the graphics. However, in defense of MHGU, it is an older game that was created for the 3DS then was upscaled for the big TVs when ported to the Switch. In comparison, MHW was just released last year, not even a year old, for PC and both major consoles. When you think about hardware difference, there really is no competition. Some may think graphics may not play a big role in games, but for games like Monster Hunter, I think it is necessary. When you’re playing a game with as many cutscenes as MHW, it is a lot easier on the eyes. Even with older titles in the series, the graphics also make the game feel more immersive.
Besides the pretty new graphics, Capcom also implemented new features that make MHW a lot friendlier to new players. Unlike MHGU where there was no tutorial for almost anything, MHW turns that around 360 degrees. The game is littered with tutorials from movement to weapon crafting. Admittedly this can get a bit annoying because it feels like the game is holding your hand through the first two hunts, but more tutorials are better than none. Another change MHW made was how a player tracks monsters. In previous titles, you had to go through each zone and find the monster. After doing so, you would need to throw a paintball because the monster could escape before killing it. In MHW, the developers removed the zone system, so no more loading screens, and improved how to find monsters. Instead of luck, a player would instead find clues that would lead them to the monster in question. The more clues gathered the easier the monster is to find. Speaking of monsters, Capcom also improved monster combat. Unlike previous games, MHW makes the player use the terrain to their advantage much more than previous titles. There will be skirmishes between monsters you can exploit, areas to make it easier to mount monsters, and safe areas to escape to. However, the best change Capcom made where to the potions. In previous games, you couldn’t move when consuming potions leaving you susceptible to enemy attacks. On the other hand, in MHW you can move, albeit rather slowly. Still, this was a welcome change that saved me many trips back to spawn.
As for my personal experience with the game, its been pretty good so far. The biggest change for me when moving to MHW, was the weapons. When I began MHW, I decided I change my weapon from Insect Glaive to Light Bowgun. I had several reasons for the switch, but I guess the biggest reason would be, the large amount of responsibility placed on an Insect Glaive user. The role of an Insect Glaive user is to mount and topple the monster, allowing for teammates to attack the monster without restraint. Unfortunately for me, I was never that good at mounting. Instead of dragging my teammates down in multiplayer, I decided to move to the ranged weapons, specifically the Light Bowgun. In the Monster Hunter games, there are three kinds of ranged weapons the Bow, Light Bowgun, and Heavy Bowgun. Bows are typically more focused on elemental damage and fight more right out of the enemy reach. Out of the three options, I immediately crossed this one out. I was never good at keeping track at what monster were weak to what or dancing around the enemy either. However, unlike the Bow, the Bowguns seem more like a viable option for me. The primary differences between the two, was that the Light Bowgun traded in power and defense, for elemental damage and speed. The deciding factor for me was ultimately the speed. In MHGU I keep getting hit because I couldn’t avoid attacks in time. However, I do plan on trying the Heavy Bowgun and Insect Glaive sometime in the future.
Overall, MHW is a great game and, in my opinion, better than MHGU. MHW is a lot friendlier to new players and graphics are stunning. The only downside I could think of was, the multiplayer. For a game that focusus is teamwork, the community has a poor idea of what that is. My advice is if one wants to play with others, just play with friends. They won’t complain, ditch last minute, or troll the hunt. On a positive note, I hope to play this game more and play with the few friends who do own this game.