Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is making its worldwide debut very soon. This is important for a few reasons. It marks the first appearance of the improved version of Monster Hunter Generations worldwide, as the Nintendo 3DS upgraded edition was only released in Japan in March 2017. It is the first entry in the series to appear on the Nintendo Switch. It is also a return to the more traditional Monster Hunter experience after the more newcomer-friendly Monster Hunter: World. While this means quite a few changes, the nature of Monster Hunter Generations’ core experience could mean Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is in a position to help introduce new fans to the series’ original progression and gameplay.
At its core, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is a prettier version of Monster Hunter XX, which is an expanded version of Monster Hunter Generations. This means a number of different things have to be taken into account. It is a more typical experience, where you only venture into a specific area of the wilds when you are on a mission. You do all preparations in the hub ahead of a mission, which means you can not rely on extra meals or items in the field if you did not already have them on your person when you headed out. Weapons behave differently, and you need to pick a style that has an impact on your moveset. Gathering is more complicated, mantles aren’t present, and people might find themselves a bit lost. But the way Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate works might make it a good stepping stone for Monster Hunter: World players.
The use of styles is one way it can help. There are six present in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, which is two more than Monster Hunter Generations. Guild, Striker, Aerial, and Adept are the four returning styles, joined by the new Valor and Alchemy options. Each one has its own unique focus and take, which is in addition to to the Great Sword, Long Sword, Sword and Shield, Dual Blades, Hammer, Hunting Horn, Lance, Gunlance, Switch Axe, Charge Blade, Insect Glaive, Light Bowgun, Heavy Bowgun, and Bow weapon options. While using the weapons might feel a little more complex and require relearning after Monster Hunter: World, the styles might make up for it by allowing people access to certain special moves or capabilities.
Each of the roles, both returning and new, might help people find a place. The new Alchemy role, which lets you shake an Alchemy Barrel to make items and equip three Hunter Arts, could be something for someone to use with a Hunting Horn or ranged weapon and aid newcomers. People who are new to Monster Hunter or coming in from Monster Hunter: World might do best with a bladed weapon and a Guild, Striker, or Aerial style. Guild is adaptable and allows two Hunter Arts. Striker lets you have three Hunter Arts, which charge quicker than usual, and could let you rely more on special skills. Aerial Style is good for people who liked mounting monsters to deal damage, as it makes it easy to get onboard. Perhaps, once people find their footing, Adept and its opportunities for counterattacks could be helpful.
People coming to Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate from Monster Hunter: World could also benefit from this installment’s Harvest Tour missions. When you head into the Hub, you can take multiple Harvest Tour missions. This allows you to explore an area for 50 minutes to gather. Seeing as how there are no scoutflies to lead you to points of interest, you need to make sure you always chuck paintballs at monsters to tag them, and you need to have consumable gathering tools like pickaxes and bug nets, these missions can help you learn the lay of lands, acquire items, and catch glimpses of certain sorts of monsters ahead of schedule. Each one lets you stay there for 50 minutes or until you turn in a Paw Ticket.
The reduced map size can help ease people into Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. The locations here aren’t as big and expansive as Monster Hunter: World’s, seeing as how this is an upgraded version of what was originally a Nintendo 3DS game. It still looks good running on the Nintendo Switch and gives you areas to explore, but the scope does mean it is easier to get a familiarity with an area, know the paths that lead to others, and get situated. In turn, it could help people learn to gather, since there is less chance of overlooking something important. It can also make tracking easier early on, since it is easy for a hunting group to split up and find a creature.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is going to be an opportunity for people. People who love the series get a solid installment on the Nintendo Switch that takes Monster Hunter Generations and both adds more to it and makes it look a bit better. People who were only just introduced to it via Monster Hunter: World have an entry that has some elements that allow them a way to ease into a more regimented and demanding experience. For those who have never played before, well, maybe they will sample the demo (which is immediately available via the Nintendo eShop) and find a game that resonates with them.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate will come to the Nintendo Switch in North America and Europe on August 28, 2018. It is immediately available in Japan as Monster Hunter XX.
