This week, we are expecting a major new release in the Monster Hunter universe. That’s why today, we’re talking about this unique franchise with its very special gameplay mechanics.

Summary

• The Origins of Monster Hunter – A Risky Attempt with Huge Success
• The Gameplay Concept – Hunt, Craft, Repeat
• The Rise in the West – Monster Hunter World Changes Everything
• Monster Hunter Wilds – The Next Generation of Monster Hunting
• The Diversity of Monsters – Giants, Dragons, and Nightmares
• Monster Hunter Stories – A Whole Different Kind of Hunt
• Conclusion – The Art of the Perfect Hunt

This week, our Pixel Sundays article is all about Monster Hunter—a franchise where, as the name suggests, you hunt monsters. These monsters vary greatly, and over time, the series has introduced many games with unique mechanics. I’ll take you through the origins of the franchise and how Monster Hunter has evolved over the years.

The Origins of Monster Hunter – A Risky Attempt with Huge Success

Capcom released the first Monster Hunter game for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. The game was part of an online initiative by Capcom’s Production Studio 1. The goal was to develop a game that utilized the PlayStation 2’s online functionality and aimed for at least one million sales. Spoiler: The game achieved that, just like Resident Evil Outbreak, which was also part of this initiative.

The development of Monster Hunter was an ambitious project for Capcom at the time. The focus was on cooperative gameplay, where players would hunt monsters together. This was a brand-new approach, as cooperative action games were rare back then—most games focused on single-player experiences or competitive multiplayer. Monster Hunter aimed to create a cooperative experience that stood out from the crowd.

Monster Hunter emphasizes strategic preparation and team-based hunting. You have different weapon classes, and each player in the group plays a specific role. This makes the franchise famous for its challenging and epic boss battles, which require teamwork and patience, as enemies have a lot of health.

However, despite all its innovations, the game’s success initially remained limited to Japan. In Japan alone, the game sold over one million copies, but in the West, it was considered a niche title. This was partly because online gaming was much less established in Europe and America at the time. It was also something completely new and unfamiliar, which made many players hesitant to try it.

But as we all know, the series eventually achieved great success in the West. This breakthrough came with the release of Monster Hunter Freedom for the . This allowed players to enjoy local multiplayer sessions with friends, which became incredibly popular. Meeting up with friends to hunt monsters together digitally strengthened the game’s social aspect.

With the sequels Monster Hunter Freedom 2 and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, Capcom further solidified the franchise’s success. The handheld versions sold millions of copies and helped transform Monster Hunter from a niche title into one of Capcom’s flagship franchises.

The success of the series laid the foundation for the expansion of Monster Hunter games. This led to the release of fan-favorite titles like Monster Hunter 3, Monster Hunter 4, and of course, Monster Hunter World. With this game, the franchise reached a new peak—but we’ll get back to that later. None of this would have been possible if Capcom hadn’t taken the risk of creating a groundbreaking online co-op game.

The Gameplay Concept – Hunt, Craft, Repeat

The Monster Hunter franchise follows a unique gameplay formula that has barely changed over the years. You take on the role of a hunter, either alone or in a group, and engage in battles against monsters in vast areas. By collecting materials from these creatures, you can craft stronger gear. This loop of hunting, crafting, and hunting again is the core of the Monster Hunter franchise and the key to its long-lasting success.

There is no such thing as a level system in Monster Hunter. You only become stronger through new or upgraded equipment. To defeat enemies, you need to study them a bit. There are certain weak spots that allow you to take down your opponents more effectively. Often, you can even cut off their tails to obtain unique materials needed for crafting.

One of the core elements of Monster Hunter is the wide variety of weapons. The Great Sword, for example, offers slow but powerful attacks, whereas the Dual Blades are designed for fast and frequent strikes. With a large selection including War Hammers, Crossbows, Bows, and many more, everyone should be able to find a weapon that suits their playstyle.

You can, of course, play the Monster Hunter games solo. However, this makes things significantly more difficult. There are various traps you can use to bring down monsters or deal extra damage, but without a distraction, it becomes quite challenging. When fighting in a team, it’s important to coordinate your weapons and try to create the best possible team. For example, four archers might not be the most optimal setup.

The Rise in the West – Monster Hunter World Changes Everything

As previously mentioned, Monster Hunter was primarily popular in Japan for a long time. However, everything changed when in 2018, Monster Hunter World was released. This title marked the franchise’s breakthrough in the global market, making Monster Hunter one of the biggest names in the gaming industry.

Monster Hunter World modernized the game significantly. It was developed for high-performance consoles such as the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, allowing for much improved graphics. Alongside the enhanced visuals, the loading screens between different areas were removed, making the gameplay feel 100 times smoother.

The controls were also refined, and the tutorial was made more accessible. This made it easier for new players to get into the game. Some game mechanics were also made more intuitive, while ensuring the depth of the gameplay remained intact. Additionally, the world became significantly larger.

All these improvements led to Monster Hunter: World breaking sales records. The game sold over 22 million copies (including the Iceborne DLC), making it Capcom’s best-selling game. Previous Monster Hunter titles sold around 3 to 5 million copies, but World completely surpassed that. This propelled Monster Hunter into one of the biggest gaming franchises in the world.

Following this incredible success, Capcom decided to further develop the gameplay and adapt it for different platforms. In 2021, Monster Hunter Rise was released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, later coming to PC and consoles. The game retained many elements from Monster Hunter World but introduced new mechanics, such as the Wirebug system. With Wirebugs, you can launch yourself into the air, attack enemies from above, land on their backs, and even control them. These bugs are also useful for dodging attacks.

The focus of Monster Hunter Rise was more on mobility and flexibility, shifting slightly away from the emphasis on stunning graphics, a vibrant open world, and epic battles. However, since it was a Switch game, it was portable, allowing players to bring it to friends and play locally. This was especially popular in Japan, leading to the game selling 14 million copies.

Monster Hunter Wilds – The Next Generation of Monster Hunting

On February 28, 2025, the time will finally come with the release of Monster Hunter Wilds. With this game, Capcom aims to take the series to a whole new level. It will introduce numerous innovations that make the hunting experience more dynamic and immersive.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, we will find ourselves in a completely new ecosystem. This environment is constantly changing depending on the time of day and weather conditions. These dynamic factors will also affect monster behavior. These living biomes make each hunt unique, requiring players to prepare strategically.

Building on the systems from Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise, the combat techniques in Wilds have been further refined. There are many new movement options, and with the introduction of the Focus Mode, hunters can now target enemy weak points more precisely.

Perhaps the most significant addition is the introduction of the Seikret, a rideable creature. This can be used for fast travel in the open world but also assists in combat. This opens up entirely new strategies, making it much easier to chase monsters.

Monster Hunter Wilds also places an even greater focus on narrative elements. In this game, you’ll experience a well-crafted story with many different characters. Each character has a backstory and is seamlessly integrated into the game. The story revolves around the relationship between humans and monsters in the Forbidden Lands. This captivating story complements the gameplay perfectly but does not disrupt the familiar and beloved gameplay loop.

Since the game is designed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series, there is little to complain about in terms of performance. You can expect realistic animations in a seamless open world. Both the monsters and the environment are highly detailed, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this world.

The Variety of Monsters – Giants, Dragons, and Nightmares

The monsters in Monster Hunter games are incredibly diverse. There are gigantic dragons and nightmarish beasts. Each of these opponents is entirely unique and presents its own challenge. If the monsters were boring, the game would not have been so successful.

Some monsters are, of course, more well-known than others, with the most iconic being:

• Rathalos: Known as the “King of the Skies,” this fire-breathing wyvern has been a recurring enemy since the first game in the series.

• Nergigante: An elder dragon with regenerating spikes, feared for its aggression and destructive power.

• Zinogre: An electric wolf wyvern known for its lightning-fast attacks and impressive agility.

• Magnamalo: The flagship monster of Monster Hunter Rise, a fearsome wyvern with purple flames inspired by Japanese demons.

All monsters exist within their own unique ecosystems, which influence their behavior and abilities. There are dense jungles, arid deserts, icy tundras, and much more. Understanding the type of region a monster inhabits can give you hints about its weaknesses, helping you better prepare for the hunt. However, factors like weather and time of day also affect monster behavior.

Since Monster Hunter World, monsters have also begun interacting with each other in the world. This feature is called Turf Wars. When two rival monsters encounter each other, they may engage in a battle. These fights are presented in cinematic sequences. As a result, monsters take significant damage, making them easier for you to defeat.

There is already some information about the new monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds. Of course, the game introduces many new creatures for you to hunt and loot.

• Doshaguma: A bear-like creature with impressive strength and aggressive territorial behavior.

• Balahara: A predatory monster that hunts in packs and overwhelms its prey through coordinated attacks.

• Chatacabra: An amphibious creature with a long tongue, dangerous both on land and in water.

• Rey Dau: A wyvern-like monster that uses electrical attacks and executes lightning-fast movements.

These new creatures introduce fresh challenges and further enrich the world of Monster Hunter. You must adapt to each monster individually. With the continuous addition of new monsters, the Monster Hunter games never become dull.

Monster Hunter Stories – A Different Kind of Hunt

Besides the main series of Monster Hunter games, there is also a spin-off called Monster Hunter Stories. This game takes a completely different approach compared to the main series. Instead of action-packed battles, it features turn-based RPG gameplay with a strong emphasis on storytelling. In these games, you can even tame monsters. You take on the role of a Rider, who does not hunt monsters but instead tames them and embarks on adventures with them. While it is a different approach, it might still be something for you. We have a dedicated Pixel Sundays article about Monster Hunter Stories, so if you’re interested in this spin-off, you can easily read it here.

Conclusion – The Art of the Perfect Hunt

Monster Hunter is more than just a game. It is an experience and a challenge for you and your friends. Since its beginnings on the PlayStation 2, the franchise has continued to evolve while staying true to its roots. The game has remained consistent in its identity, which is why it continues to thrive and captivate millions of players.

With Monster Hunter World, Capcom achieved a major breakthrough for the franchise and has maintained this momentum. Monster Hunter Rise stood out with its mobility and dynamic gameplay, while Monster Hunter Wilds now combines all these elements. It introduces an even more vibrant and dynamic world filled with monsters. The hunt is becoming more complex and thrilling than ever before.

But one thing remains unchanged—the adrenaline rush when you face a gigantic monster for the first time. And starting from February 28, you can experience this once again in Monster Hunter Wilds. Choose your weapon and head into battle with your friends.

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