Hunting ban opens tonight! A review of advance information on "Monster Hunter Rise," the latest in the "Monster Hunter" series!

Kamura no Sato, the setting of this title

　

The story takes place in "Kamura no Sato," a mountain village blessed with nature. The village is home to a thriving tatara iron manufacturing industry and a variety of facilities, including an armorsmith shop, which is essential for hunters who make their living by hunting. There are various types of facilities, including a "meeting place," where multiplayer quests such as "Meeting Place Quests" and "Fighting Tournament Quests" can be ordered, and a "preparation area" where equipment can be produced and strengthened in preparation for quests.

　

Otomo Square, where facilities related to the "otomo" who accompany the player gather. In addition to the Otomo training area, there is also a departure entrance where Airou chieftain Kogarashi sends out the "Otomo Hidden Squadron".

　

The main quests take place in a variety of fields, including scorching caves, barren fields, and frigid archipelagos.

The "Hyakuryu Yagyo" disaster, in which hordes of monsters attack villages.

The village of Kamura is frequently hit by a phenomenon known as the "Hyakuryu Yagyo. The cause of this disaster, which has been continuing since ancient times, is still unknown. Fifty years ago, Kamura's village was nearly destroyed by the Hyakuryu Yagyo.

　

The Hundred Dragon Night Parade is not only an element of the story, but also a new quest in "MHRise. The objective is to intercept a massive horde of monsters led by a "big guy," and players can not only take on the challenge with weapons, but also with "hunting equipment" built for the calamity. There are three types of equipment: "boarding type," such as "ballista" and "cannon," which can be operated by the player; "automatic type," which is activated according to specific conditions, led by the "satomori ballista," which automatically attacks approaching monsters; and "limited type," which has a limited number of uses, such as "Hinoe & Minoe," which is assisted by the village's receptionist The "automatic type" is activated in response to specific conditions. Since there is a preparation time before the monster herd arrives, players use the three types of hunting equipment, taking into account the composition of the monsters and their own equipment, and place them on the installation platforms at various locations in the field.

　

Powerful equipment such as the "Gekiryuu Spear" and the "Breaking Dragon Cannon" are also available. It takes time to use them again, but a single blow can inflict massive damage.

When the "smoke of counterattack" is raised, the players' attack power is greatly increased and they have a chance to attack with their weapons. The "smoke of counterattack" can be activated during the course of the Hundred Dragon and Night Parade, or by sounding the "Dora of Counterattack" on the field.

Monsters appearing in this work

　

Monsters are an essential part of the "Monster Hunter" series and are the greatest threat to players. A wide variety of types of monsters appear in the series, from the well-known monsters such as Narugakuruga and Jin'oga to the main monster "Magai Magadot," which is new in "MHRise.

　

The Magaimagado, also known as the "Grudge Tiger Dragon," has a fearsome appearance and a hideous carapace. Its fearsome face and hideous shell give it an overwhelmingly intimidating appearance. It is covered in "demon fire," a purple gas that rises from its body when it preys on other monsters, and is said to increase the destructive power of its host.

　 　

In "MHRise," an individual called "Nushi" appears. So far, we have only learned that they appear in the Hyakuryu Yagyo, and that they are known as "Nushi Aoashira" and their appearance, but it is not difficult to imagine that the quests in which Nushi appear are quite difficult.

　

The whole body of Nushi Aoashira. The red glowing eyes and the veiny scar are eye-catching.

A more playful and action-packed hunt

　

The concept of this title is "Monster Hunter, a game that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere, with anyone. The Switch, which is easy to play both at home and outside, is a major feature of this title, and various action elements have been implemented in the game.

Run around the field in all directions with the "Kakerimushi" (flying bugs).

　

The "kakerimushi" is a symbol of the action in "MHRise". The "kakerimushi" is a unique element of this title that is combined with a wire-like "tecchuushi," which allows the player to perform a variety of unique moves, including "hayagari," which allows the player to move in the air and avoid obstacles, "wall-running," which allows the player to run along cliffs, "kakerimimi," which allows the player to regain their stance when falling on their butt or being blown off, and a total of 14 weapon combinations. The "Tetsu Mushi Ito Jutsu," which is used in combination with all 14 types of weapons to create special moves, are available in four actions. Each action consumes a "Shou Mushi Gauge" to activate, and the number of gauges required and the time it takes to recover differ depending on the type. The ability to move and evade at high speeds has greatly increased the speed of hunting, and the feeling of exhilaration is considerable.

Some of the normal attacks and iron fillet techniques can be replaced with other techniques. There are three interchangeable techniques for each weapon type, so you can combine them according to your own play style.

Manipulating dragons," which manipulates monsters with iron filaments

Using the iron thread, you can also control large monsters. This new element, called "Manipulation," allows you to guide a rampaging monster into a weak attack with few gaps, or a large, but high-powered strong attack. There are only two simple types of attacks, but they can be changed by connecting combos or inputting the stick. Also, during maneuvers, "emergency evasion" is possible. Not only can you dodge an opponent's attack, but you can also cancel an attack or flinch. If you perform emergency evasion in time with the monster's attack, you can activate "uke-narashi," which allows you to evade while frightening your opponent, giving you a great chance to counterattack. The "rush away" maneuver, which causes a monster in control of a dragon to rush forward and break away, is also powerful. By hitting another monster or a wall while lunging, it can inflict heavy damage on the target it is controlling and even bring it down.

　

Attacking other monsters while the "Manipulation Gauge" is being built up, and when it reaches its maximum level, the powerful "Manipulation Grand Move" can be activated. The method of attack varies greatly depending on the monster being controlled.

Otomo" supporting the player

In hunting, not only the player but also "otomo" attack together. In addition to the well-known Otomo Airu of the series, this title introduces the new Otomogaruku. They support the player in a variety of situations, such as cooperating with the player in attacks and carrying the player on their back. While riding, the player can freely control Garuku, and since the player does not consume stamina, the player can move around the field as he or she pleases. Some items can be used while riding, making it ideal for when you need to regroup while running away from monsters.

Otomo Airou and Otomo Garuku

　

Each field is inhabited by environmental creatures. There are a wide variety of creatures, such as the Hitodamadori, a "sustained enhancement creature" that partially enhances the player's status, and the En'enku, a "hunting tool creature" that emits smoke-like pheromones to attract nearby monsters.

　

Kigania, a trap-type creature. When placed in fresh meat, it bites and damages not only the surrounding monsters but also the player.

　

The Ittanmonshiro, an "instantaneous enhancement creature. The scales it sprinkles on the player's body increase the player's defenses.

MHRise" has the Japanese flavor of "Monster Hunter Freedom 3" released for the PSP handheld game console, and while it evokes the nostalgia of that time, it also includes many new elements, such as quests like the Hyakuryu Yagyo and actions using the Sho-mushi and Tetsu-mushi threads. Akiba Research Institute plans to publish a review of this title at a later date, so if you are interested, be sure to check it out as well.

Work information

Monster Hunter Rise

Genre: Hunting action

Compatibility: Nintendo Switch

Players: 1 player (4 players max. when playing via communication)

Price: 8,789 yen (tax included)

Release date: March 26, 2021 (Friday)

CERO: C (for ages 15 and up)

*Screen shots are under development.

*Subscription to Nintendo Switch Online (paid) is required to connect to the Internet and play cooperatively with distant players.

Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.

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