Monster Hunter Stories For 3DS Will Take A "New Direction"
Monster Hunter is dead. Long live Monster Hunter. Or something to that effect. The next installment for the Monster Hunter franchise has just been revealed and its already causing a bit of a stir. First, it will be available for the Nintendo 3DS, no word yet on any plans to debut elsewhere. But perhaps more importantly, there are already hints in place that Monster Hunter Stories, as it will be officially called, will not be like the Monster Hunter that you might have grown to love, but one that its creators will take to a new direction.
First up is the trailer. which plays out in an anime-like cel-shaded visuals. Of course, it's not indicative of the actual game's appearance. The previous 3DS Monster Hunter titles have all been full 3D matching the style of their console counterparts. A cel-shaded Monster Hunter might be a very big change, perhaps a refreshing one as well, though perhaps unsettling to those who aren't fans of that particular style.
The teaser also hints at a change of perspective. Perhaps they should have also called the game Monster Riders, as it seems that players will take the role not of hunters but of riders. Sort of like monster tamers. There might also be a slight change in pacing of the game. Whereas the previous Monster Hunters can be loosely described as action RPGs, Stories is here being mentioned simply as an RPG. No modifier. Just RPG.
There are quite some big changes, and for some, perhaps concerning changes. But perhaps they are much needed changes after 10 years in the market as a franchise. Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto insists that the new story, which has been already in the making for five years, can only be told through an RPG. It's quite a bold statement and perhaps a risky undertaking given how large franchises are sometimes having problems trying to keep up the momentum, the fan base, and the money.
It remains to be seen how long-time fans of Monster Hunter will take this seeming drastic change. It is still too early to judge based on a single video clip and some statements. Well, we have a year to debate it to death. Monster Hunter Stories is expected to hit shelves in 2016. At least in Japan. International dates have not yet been disclosed.
VIA: GameSpot