Gaming Target - PlayStation 2: Monster Hunter

Written by Chris Reiter on October 20, 2003

First Impressions: Guns don't kill monsters...knights in armor do!

Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, or MMORPGs as they're referred to in short, have been one of the most successful PC genres of the 3D era in gaming. Sony struck oil with EverQuest, a game that lets the player customize their own character through dungeon sprawling, item collecting, and even in the joining of virtuous guilds where depending on the clan you're in, determines the fate of what type of player path you follow from there on out. Many different games in the same vein have derived from a similar base over the years, even on the console front with the likes of Sega's already popular Phantasy Star Online series and Square Enix's to be popular Final Fantasy XI -- the franchise's first foray that plugs people together into one massive user network. But Capcom, who's never famously been associated with the RPG genre before, is stepping in and trying their hand at this particular foray with a PlayStation 2 title that's been kept under wraps for some time...and as of E3 time has at last been unveiled as Monster Hunter.

When you pair the words "Monster" and "Hunter" together, you probably think of just another Resident Evil spinoff from the likes of Capcom. However, Monster Hunter has nothing to do with zombies. In fact, it's to be set within a medieval world of sorts. Of the concepts Capcom plans to employ into Monster Hunter's hide consist of your usual fare of guild forming, item tracking, an experience point system that will only allow you to level up your character so far, and even a story mode, which as of this writing has yet to be announced, unfortunately.

Though, who needs a story when online RPGs considerably revolve around the focus on the character itself? Character structuring in Monster Hunter will allow for players to select their own weaponry (think swords and bows), clothing (think armors), genders (males or females), and hairstyles (doubtful, but the Mr. T mohawk may come back in style). In total, there'll also be eight different character classes available for players to choose from (which have not yet been specified). Players won't go it alone though, as up to four people can combine their party online (sorry narrowband, this is going to be a broadband game only) and offline as well, steering through such tasks as slaying rare beasts and building and defending bases together similar to the way of StarCraft or WarCraft from none other than...monsters!

Yes, the combat mode in Monster Hunter sets humans against much larger and much scalier entities than thou art. Abiding by the rules of games such as Phantasy Star or .hack before it, Monster Hunter will embody an action system, with an occasional turn-based element attached. Either from near or far, players will be able to vie against immense foes of both land and air. Attacks against the creatures may be altered depending on how many players are present in the offensive party as well. It's also interesting of note that the mammoth inhabitants of the game won't just sit idly by from place to place; they'll act and react to the nature of the planes around them depending on each situation. Some will travel alone, others in packs, and there are those that will serve to track down human opponents as their means of survival. Each one of these beings will also feature independent abilities. They'll sleep, they'll eat, and they'll even defend their territory whenever needed.

Much of Capcom's rщsumщ bears many games that have proven stellar visual results, and Monster Hunter isn't looking to be any different so far. Its world being latched to a time where fantasy clashed with steel in hand will become a reality, as the gargantuan and human models alike are progressing in splendorous detail. From what has been known of the encompassing landmarks that surround these same molds, thick forests, grassy meadows, and cloudy blue skies are all taking on a shape of matched superiority with the monsters and the humans that are to be inserted inside of them.