Monster Hunter Tri
Score: 88% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 2; 2 - 4 (Online) Genre: Action/ RPG/ Online
Graphics & Sound: Monster Hunter Tri is my first Monster Hunter game. There, I said it. Maybe that makes me less qualified to review Capcom's latest for the Wii, but perhaps it's the other way around. Think about it. The Monster Hunter franchise has a very hardcore following, especially in Japan. The grand majority of Wii gamers aren't "hardcore" in the traditional sense, so this game will probably enjoy an influx of neophyte hunters. Whatever the case, here's what you need to know: Monster Hunter Tri is a game that rewards you for heavy time investment. It starts off extremely slow and there are some design frustrations. If you can tear through some of the weak early missions, you'll find that it pays huge dividends to those who are dedicated. Enemy design is key here, and Tri doesn't skimp at all. The beasts you'll slay are all kinds of fantastical, from the mud-slinging Barroth to the dragon-like Rathian to the water leviathan Lagiacrus. What's fascinating about these creatures, however, is how grounded in reality they are. Sure, these monsters don't exist, but you somehow get the feeling that they could. During battle, you'll have to learn how each monster telegraphs its attacks, and how to respond. My only problem with the visuals in Tri has to do with the multiplayer. When you're fighting alongside your friends, smaller monsters don't sync up. You and your buddy could be fighting the same Jaggi, even if you are twenty feet away from each other. It's weird to close in on a monster only to see its life snuffed out by an unseen force. Minor quirks aside, this is still one of the Wii's better-looking games. Tri's soundtrack fits the "prehistoric hunter village" motif very well. The musical sting that informs you that you've been spotted by a boss monster is a heart-stopper, and the track that follows is a perfect accompaniment to each desperate struggle. However, the monsters themselves are the ones that deserve special mention. Each monster sounds terrifying and ferocious, which is more often than not how they look.
Gameplay: Monster Hunter Tri allows you to create your own character from scratch and help him/her rise from zero to hero. You see, the fishing village of Moga is in a pickle. The villagers' way of life is being threatened by a massive electric serpent known as the Lagiacrus. Since this franchise is called Monster Hunter, you should be able to guess the nature of your character's quest. The story gives the game a bit of personality, and things don't turn out to be what they initially seem, but you won't really care. The story takes a back seat to all the monster slaying and item farming you'll be doing. Still, if you're playing on your lonesome, be sure to read the text. You might laugh at some of the more ridiculous characters. Fighting through the trials and tribulations of Moga Village eventually becomes an extremely enjoyable experience. but you won't really be looking after the village. Nope, you'll be looking after numero uno. All you'll be looking for is bigger and better gear. Yes, this is one of "those games." The staggering number of items in this game is a major component of its lifeblood, and without it, Tri wouldn't hold anyone for more than two or three hours. There is a lot to do in this game, and it will take a long time to see everything. For the uninitiated, Monster Hunter Tri is action role-playing distilled to its purest form. You accept quests and take care of villager requests. Regardless of the specific task at hand, most everything you do involves killing or capturing indigenous wildlife and generating resources for Moga Village. By harvesting these wonders of life, you can save your village... and transform yourself into a badass of the highest order while doing so.
Difficulty: Monster Hunter Tri is a challenging game. Make no mistake, you will die. However, each death is usually a direct result of poor preparation, bad reflexes, and unsound strategy. The game will baptize you with fire and claws, and you will eventually be whittled into a world-class monster slayer. You must adapt or perish. There are a few difficulty issues with the game that could have been easily avoided. The most glaring problem has to do with silly design choices. Imagine this: you're fighting the terrifying Gigginox, and you're down to a sliver of health. You finally get a second (and I mean a second) of down time and you knock back a potion. You'd think you could roll out of the way immediately after downing the potion, but no. Your character must risk death by posing heroically. That's just stupid.
Game Mechanics: There's so much to say about Monster Hunter Tri, it's easy to forget that the game includes a multiplayer component. You can sit down with a buddy for some admittedly simple split-screen Arena quests, or you can take your character online and hunt with up to three of your friends. Don't think for a second that this online mode was hastily scribbled in as an afterthought; what we've got here is deep, persistent, and fully-featured. If you're one of the fifty or so people who actually owns a Wii Speak, you can use that. Tri also supports USB keyboards for text chat. I simply logged onto Xbox Live and started a party chat. When you've got a team of people who know what they are doing, it's a blast. Even if you're surrounded by idiots, Tri is easily the best cooperative experience on the Wii. One of Monster Hunter Tri's greatest strengths is its refusal to settle for the Wii-mote/Nunchuk combo. The Wii Classic Controller is unquestionably the way to go. This is how Tri is meant to be played; it's obvious because you can actually purchase a copy that's bundled with a Wii Classic Controller Plus for only ten dollars more. It's a fantastic deal. Tri's controls aren't problematic, but the user interface occasionally is. When the game requires you to use the Wii-mote, you'll be annoyed. Whether it's to add an entry to the Monster List or to make note of requisite items in your Memo Pad, having to use the Wii-mote in this game sucks, and it should have been culled from the Classic Controller scheme. Hardcore Wii owners, rejoice. Monster Hunter Tri is the kind of game you've been waiting years for. By that, I mean it's the kind of game that will actually get you to play your Wii more than twice a month. Sure, I'd prefer a next-gen version, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. This game is deep, challenging, lengthy, and a total blast to play online. 2010 should be a good year for the Wii, and I can hardly imagine a better opening act than Monster Hunter Tri.
-FenixDown, GameVortex Communications AKA Jon Carlos
Related Links: Official Website of Monster Hunter Tri PlayStation Illustrated's Review of Monster Hunter Freedom PlayStation Illustrated's Review of Monster Hunter Freedom 2 PlayStation Illustrated's Review of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
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