Monster Hunter Now’s mobile approach has a unique opportunity to try new weapon types for the series at large. With the wayMonster Hunter Nowis designed differently from Capcom’s mainline entries, there is a chance for the game to try new things before they get introduced into another ecosystem. If Niantic makes the most of this opportunity, it could change laterMonster Huntergames with some stand-out additions.
For many players,switching between weapons inMonster Hunteris one of the series' best attributes. Different hunts can be approached with different loadouts, andMonster Huntergames let players collect and upgrade a variety of tools so that they always have a good option available. The way the games are created lets players experiment with all the available weapon types if they wish. From quick melee weapons like the dual blades, heavy weapons like the hammer, and ranged options like the bow, there is something for any sort of player - although there is still room for more.
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Monster Hunter Now May Be The Series' Best Chance to Introduce New Weapons
It has already been revealed thatMonster Hunter Nowhas new customization options, and it could introduce more weapons alongside it. The list of weapon types inMonster Hunterhas expanded over the years, so making some additions to that list could fill additional niches. There are several quality ideas for weapons that have yet to grace the series, such as scythes, daggers, and clubs. Normally,Monster Hunter’s intricate mechanics would require a lot of design iteration for a new weapon, butMonster Hunter Now’s more simplified design could make testing new weapons easier than ever.
One necessary change is the length and difficulty of hunts being scaled back in order to suitMonster Hunter Now’s mobile gameplay concept. Normally, hunting a large monster takes upwards of half an hour if the player has bad luck or underpowered gear.Monster Hunter Now’s approach drastically reduces the length of hunts to work in bite-sized portions for a mobile game. With these shorter, simpler hunts,Monster Hunter Nowcould introduce new weapons with a small set of mechanics that the next console release could expand into a proper move set.
New weapons debuting inMonster Hunter Nowmay seem unlikely, but the idea is not completely far-fetched.Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Passbrought some tracks from the mobile gameMario Kart Tourinto the main series, and most of those tracks were well-received in their new forms. AlthoughMonster Hunter Nowmay not be seen as a part of the main series due to its status as a mobile spin-off, it can still add toMonster Hunter’s future. This includes any new weapons varieties or designs that may end up debuting as a part ofMonster Hunter Now’s arsenal.
Monster Hunter Now’s unique circumstances put it in an interesting position, especially considering the time-consuming series that it is a part of.Monster Hunterneeds more ranged weapon options, andMonster Hunter Nowcan take the first steps toward solving that while also offering new melee options. Although the gameplay will not be a perfect replica of typicalMonster Hunterfare, it can at least act as a proof of concept for future plans.
Monster Hunter Nowreleases on mobile devices in September 2023.
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