Shhhhhhhh……We’re hunting monsters!

MONSTER HUNTER TRI (Nintendo Wii)

PREVIEW

Developer: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

To be released: Spring 2010

Monster Hunter is huge in Japan. Players in the US have been introduced to this franchise through the PS 2 and and the PSP. Now for this 7th iteration, players out West are going to be treated to some new improvements and overall experiences. Check out the rest of the story after the jump:

First off are the introductions of a couple of new weapons, like the SlashAxe (which is like a Chinese pole sword called a Guan Dao, and it can switch into a giant battle axe the next) and a Torch ( not only does it illuminate the darkest caves but fend off certain creatures as well). Thrown into the mix underwater fights and levels.  Gameplay for underwater fights work for the most part. It’s pretty fluid and the players are technically on the same plain as the giant monster or monsters they would be fighting. Oh to add to everything, the monsters can EAT you.

There’s single player mode, two player split screen or a four player multiplayer gameplay via the custom online WiFi mode.

In the single player mode, you’re technically not alone in the game. You have a hunting companion by the name of Cha-Cha. Yeah like the dance, but since my mind’s always in the gutter I was laughing for other reasons. Cha-Cha has customization capabilities and the characteristics and abilities of your friend changes according to the look you choose for him.

With the co-op and multiplayer modes players can enjoy no hassle in joining games. No codes no bullshit. If you want someone to join in on the game, regardless if it’s a random person, just send them a request and BOOM! Done! The game also has USB keyboard support. Capcom is also working on and looking into having Wiispeak support for the US release. This would definitely be a big added bonus. Plus free downloadable content as well, makes Monster Hunter Tri truly value for money.

Capcom is also billing Monster Hunter Tri to be the prettiest/best looking game on the Wii. That’s bold claim, then again the Wii is technically not known for pretty graphics so that claim could possibly reign true. The landscape and monsters looks beautiful and the characters themselves were detailed and smooth. However I thought the game overall looked a little muddled or like the screen was smeared with lotion or Vaseline. I was conferring with a couple of other journalists and they expressed the same concern, so I know my eyes are not that bad. I didn’t get a chance to really delve into it because there was just so much going on but a good assumption would be the display setting might not be set correctly. That aside, the game really does look amazing.

Last but not least, players will be faced with a couple of options when playing the game. You can either play it with the classic controller or classic controller pro (between the two, I like the pro). This option would give you the same feel as the PSP versions, if you’re familiar with that. The other option is using the Wiimote and nunchuck. Choosing this option gives the game a different and interesting dimension. I found it really interesting and definitely kept me wanting more. Whichever way you choose to go, just have a good time. I suggest trying out both ways and then see which method you feel you like more.

If you’re a big RPG player and you love slaying monsters and dragons, Monster Hunter Tri is the game you want to keep your eye out for. It has all the elements of wonder, fantasy and violence that would make a game good and fun, especially with the online aspect. We’ll see if Monster Hunter Tri would take off and be a top seller for Capcom in the US as it is in Japan.