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Monster Hunter 3 (tri) G

by Danny Bivens - December 8, 2011, 5:12 pm EST
Total comments: 8

Hot off the eShop, and probably not onto your 3DS.

Although Monster Hunter 3 (tri) G is set to release on the Nintendo 3DS on December 10, since December 7, 3DS owners have had access to a downloadable demo of the title via the eShop in Japan. Players can play the demo a total of 30 times before it becomes disabled. The demo is divided into two parts—an easy quest and a hard quest. The easy quest takes place in a cold, snowy area and has the player on the hunt for a beast called Uluksus (the katakana reads “Urukususu”). The hard quest takes place in a tropical, water-laden area and has you searching for a creature called Ganototos. Each quest has a 20-minute time limit, though you can replay each of them multiple times and still not have it detract from your overall plays of the demo. Being relatively new to the Monster Hunter series, I decided to go with the easy quest to ease myself into the experience.

Working my way through the demo, it was soon apparent that this iteration of Monster Hunter is quite a pretty game. The environments are lush and detailed, and the 3D effect only adds to them, providing a better sense of depth and immersion. The character models are meticulously detailed, with much of the effort going toward the weapons and armor. Fans of the series know what to expect when it comes to these things, but it is still nice to see Capcom putting in a lot of effort to making the 3DS version the best looking Monster Hunter title to date.

The controls in tri G on the 3DS are slightly different from what users have been exposed to in past iterations. One of the main differences comes in the ability to control the camera via the touchscreen. Like the previous handheld Monster Hunter titles on the PlayStation Portable, the camera can also be controlled by the D-Pad, which works but can at times be uncomfortable. Now, with another D-Pad mapped to the right side of the touch screen, camera control is more bearable, but definitely far from perfect. Thankfully, hitting the L buttons also resets the camera behind your character, which can be a bit of a relief. Wandering around during my quest, though, I found myself fumbling with the camera, as it feels a little eccentric and unintuitive.





The game does feature a new lock-on system that can be activated by pushing the corresponding section on the touchscreen. Unfortunately, it is not like most modern lock-on features. The camera does not stay focused on the target creature, and only briefly appears every time you face the monster. While it is a bit of a step forward for the series, there is still a quite a way to go before the control scheme feels more modern.

Combat is essentially the same as in previous Monster Hunter games. In the demo version, players can choose from one of twelve character types, ranging from sword users to lance-gun hybrid users. Veterans of the series will be able to jump in easily and get straight to work. On the other hand, new players will have to put significant time and effort into the game to get used to the control scheme. Fighting monsters is also something that gamers cannot approach haphazardly. Going into the quest with not enough items or without a plan could end your quest in utter failure. Thankfully, during the demo you have access to plenty of items and preset weapon and armor layouts to help you on your way to victory. I chose the standard lance-wielding character and destroyed any small monsters I found my way to the target creature. During my first time playing through, after reaching the ice creature, Uluksus, I was defeated promptly after running out of my healing potions. Playing Monster Hunter is definitely a learning experience, as you figure out that blocking and dodging can really help you progress in the game. Each time I played, I got progressively better.

Monster Hunter is the kind of game that you either love or you despise. The same can be said about the new 3DS version. Fans of the series will likely find loads of familiar aspects, with fresh visuals enhanced by the 3D effect. Newcomers will find it difficult at first to delve into the game due to the complexity and the problems with the archaic control scheme and camera system.

Talkback

famicomplicatedJames Charlton, Associate Editor (Japan)December 09, 2011

I agree with these impressions completely.
Somehow I don't think the play count for this demo will be anywhere near pushing the 30-time limit!


Does look really nice though, it's basically the Wii game in 3D!

CericDecember 09, 2011

Quote from: famicomplicated

...
Does look really nice though, it's basically the Wii game in 3D!

The Wii game is a pretty game.

Fatty The HuttDecember 09, 2011

Hope the demo comes to NA. I missed out on the Wii demo disc (stupid Canada) and have been itchin to see what the fuss is about. From descriptions, I do not think this is a game for me but I am willing to let a demo attempt to convince me otherwise.

I don't know if there are concrete plans for a MHTG release outside Japan. I'm sure it will, but not sure they've said anything.

As an aside, there is a staffer who loves to point out that its a pun: Tri G > 3G > 3D.

All of my hate.

ejamerDecember 12, 2011

Quote from: Fatty_The_Hutt

Hope the demo comes to NA. I missed out on the Wii demo disc (stupid Canada) and have been itchin to see what the fuss is about. From descriptions, I do not think this is a game for me but I am willing to let a demo attempt to convince me otherwise.

The Wii demo was available in Canada: you could order one (for free) directly from Capcom, although I'm not sure if they were given out at EB Games stores. Don't worry if you missed it though. The demo seems to work best for people who are already familiar with the game, because dropping you into a timed battle without first teaching you how you how to fight isn't necessarily a great experience. Later I tried playing the real game, and even though it starts off very slowly it is much more engrossing after you put some time in to learn how the world works. Ended up being my most played Wii game...

DanielMDaniel Mousseau, Staff AlumnusDecember 13, 2011

I'm a huge fan of the franchise, so it better come to NA or I'm going to have a bone to pick with Capcom!

You know, even if 3G doesn't make it stateside, it's could be a similar situation to what happened on the Wii, when Monster Hunter G made it to the Wii in Japan but not in North America or Europe. Afterward, NA got Tri. Maybe Capcom will skip out on 3G and just release 4. It probably just depends on how far out MH4 is from releasing.

Quote from: The_Dan_x

You know, even if 3G doesn't make it stateside, it's could be a similar situation to what happened on the Wii, when Monster Hunter G made it to the Wii in Japan but not in North America or Europe. Afterward, NA got Tri. Maybe Capcom will skip out on 3G and just release 4. It probably just depends on how far out MH4 is from releasing.

This is exactly what I expect to happen.

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Monster Hunter 3 (tri) G Box Art

Genre RPG
Developer Capcom
Players1 - 4

Worldwide Releases

na: Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Release Mar 19, 2013
PublisherCapcom
RatingTeen
jpn: Monster Hunter 3 (tri) G
Release Dec 10, 2011
PublisherCapcom
Rating15+
eu: Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Release Mar 22, 2013
PublisherCapcom
aus: Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Release Mar 23, 2013
PublisherCapcom
RatingMature
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