Stigandr
1440    
Some say they're what landed at Roswell in 1947, and that their right eye sees infrared light. All we know is, they're called The Stigandr.
Level: 77
   
Posts: 1384/1441
EXP: 4019353
For next: 171776
Since: 07-21-07
Since last post: 1.5 years
Last activity: 1.5 years
|
|
I've most frequently seen it compared to Dark Souls, in that the combat in both is generally more methodical than spammy and you don't want to eat an attack from a boss or equivalent. No real similarities other than that, IMO, but the deliberate pacing isn't terribly common in most of the games I've played.
Generally, MH is slower and feels a bit clumsier due to being locked into animations, but the lighter weapons (Long Sword, Sword/Shield, Dual Sword) are still plenty mobile. Heavier weapons rely on finding an opening to attack even more than they would in other games.
The game's a bit grindy in order to get all the materials you'll need to upgrade your gear, which is another stumbling block for some people. Early game tends to be a bit slow as you're generally warming up on common mobs that are about as threatening as your average Goomba, though I hear this was improved in MH4U.
Note: I haven't actually played MH4U yet, but I've been meaning to. I just keep getting sidetracked with other games. |
Dprotp
GIRL'S GOT A PENITENTIARY BODY
Level: 107
Posts: 2590/3147
EXP: 12992830
For next: 98481
Since: 07-04-07
Pronouns: he/him
From: FIRE STATE
Since last post: 1.5 years
Last activity: 104 days
|
|
| That's about right. The similarities with Dark/Demon's Souls start and end with the animation priority, stamina-based combat.
The best way I can describe Monster Hunter is to equate it to a single player MMO. You'll need to gather a bunch of materials from standard mobs and other sources on quests, which are all in preparation for the big hunts. Those can last anywhere from 10-15 minutes (which is ordinarily a good run) up to a maximum of 50 minutes.
All of that depends on how well-prepared you are, equipment- and item-wise, and your working knowledge of a monster's attack patterns and tells.
You've got multiplayer--up to four players--as well, but you're generally expected to have at least a rough understanding of a monster and to be prepared as far as gathering materials goes.
I've had a lot of fun with Monster Hunter! 600 hours across two games where one of them is an updated version of the original. MH3U was a blast for me, and I had played 95% of that game alone.
Monster Hunter is a good grind a lot of the time (e.g., trying to get a material from a large monster that drops 1% of the time at the end of a quest), but it's highly rewarding. That said, I can easily see why people can be turned off from it. The first few hours, if not more, aren't very representative of the rest of the game but they're so dull. Add that to learning a weapon's mechanics and you're looking at a very rough start.
I haven't tried much of MH4U beyond the first two quests in the demo, but it seems to be at least a little bit streamlined. I'll get it at some point when I'm still not coming off of the timesink of MH3U.
____________________
|
|  |
|
Delpolo
The local lurker.
Level: 58
Posts: 645/750
EXP: 1501757
For next: 75789
Since: 09-12-07
Pronouns: he/him/his
Since last post: 1.7 years
Last activity: 13 hours
|
| Posted on 02-18-15 11:00:28 PM (last edited by Delpolo at 02-20-15 01:24:27 AM) |
Link | Quote
| |
Originally posted by Dorito
(e.g., trying to get a material from a large monster that drops 1% of the time at the end of a quest)
Come on now, that's a bit much.
For the rare plates, you usually have anywhere between 2-5% from a tail carve (one chance) and capture rewards (ie, about four chances) and about 2% from shiny drops (so maybe two chances) per quest, on top of the base 1% chance from certain quest rewards. 
Anyways, to describe Monster Hunter... first off, go watch this video.
These would be my three succinct ways to summarize the game: absolutely gigantic monsters (every single one of which you can eventually kill once you learn each one's movement patterns and behavior), weapon/armor crafting for pretty fun customization (either full-on efficient but mixed armor sets, or opting for visuals regardless of bad skills), plus silly puns and humor to keep you mildly entertained while you aren't busy killing stuff all the time. It's definitely a time-sink though, I put in over 500 hours into MH3U and still hadn't made some overkill perfect armor sets yet (damn Abyssal Lagiacrus...).
Gonna reiterate that there's four-player multiplayer as well so people can help teach you how to play (and/or help you with the grinding, if they're generous), but to unlock all the content you're forced to play solo offline up to a certain point so don't expect to be carried by others all the time.
In short, as someone who mostly plays by myself I definitely second that it's basically:
Originally posted by Dorito
a single player MMO
____________________
The best site hack timing ever. Still unnoticed, though. ...Visit?
 |
|
|
