Excellent, with room for improvement.
Sun Sep 17 2023 Prevatt780I am a big fan of the Monster Hunter series and when I saw this game finally released I downloaded it immediately. The very start of the game is a little bumpy but once you get past that it’s pretty fun. Unlike other Niantic games, monsters and resources spawn anywhere, allowing you to play this pretty much anywhere at any time, with locations of interest having extra resource geodes. The fights are short and fun, yet demanding enough on your part to keep you glued on the screen. Overall the core gameplay is pretty fun, but there are some problems.
First, spawn rates are kinda slow and your circle could be larger. This wouldn’t be too big of a deal normally, but since later upgrades require rare materials, it gets a little annoying, especially if that one monster you need for your gear is behind private property. Second, the pricing on the items seem expensive. A single paintball costs you 1$ USD worth of gems, and all it does is mark a monster so you can battle it later. Finally, if you’re going too fast, you’re pretty much entirely locked out of playing the game. I understand this is to discourage people from gaming and driving, but it is annoying.
Overall, this is a really solid game, especially considering it is brand new. I’m sure it will only improve with more updates! Hopefully Niantic doesn’t over-monetize the game into the ground. So far, this is definitely my favorite Niantic game so far and I would highly recommend it!
Just as Fun and Addicting as Pokémon Go!
Tue Sep 26 2023 UPSbroIf you’ve been following Niantic for any amount of time, you’ll know what to expect. Just like with “Pokémon Go!,” they pack in an addictive gameplay loop revolving around quick interactions. Now if you are a fan of the main series Monster Hunter games, this previous statement may worry you. The point in the main series games is to prep for extensive, intense hunts against really tough monsters. I too was worried.
But having played this game for about 3 days now, I can see where this spin on the franchise can have its own seat in the series. The battles last less than 75sec, as that is the allotted goal to complete the hunt. It’s fun to conquer new monsters, and upgrade weapons and armor just like in other games.
I think where the “fun” really begins is when meeting with other players to take on these foes. That’s where the magic of Niantic shines the brightest.
Accepting that this is not a main installment, and just another creative avenue for Capcom to explore and expand its Monster Hunter influence to more potential fans is key. There certainly is still a lot of work to be done to flesh out the game, but I can see the potential; and I am fully confident in Niantic’s ability to build upon their games over time. Even to this day, I fire up Pokémon Go to take a look at what’s changed in the areas near me. I know this Monster Hunter game will be another one I come back to time and time again for a casual play for years to come.
Great Callback to Mainline Series
Wed Sep 20 2023 wilsonseaMH:Now is an awesome interpretation of the mainline games, cutting a few corners to make it work as a mobile game.
The inclusion of multiple weapons is a must, but Niantic should’ve included all 14 weapons from the start, or at least at HR15 like they did. Only having 6 to choose from is a bit of a disappointment. The weapons we do get include many of the mechanics that the regular series does, requiring directional swipes of your thumb to execute. However, not all weapons feel as robust. The Light Bowgun, without a manual reload or even a melee attack, feels like an after thought. For the weapons that do have these mechanics held over from the mainline games, the lack of a Training Dummy means you can’t practice or learn them. This feels like another oversight. The last mention is the lack of an online party. I’m not sure the requirements behind this, but many of my friends are states and countries away. It would be nice to hunt with them and vice versa, as this would allow us to benefit from each other. As it stands now, the friends list looks more like competition between friends rather than co-op.
Aside from these few complaints, I was delighted with how much they did add to the game. With enough marketing, it might even pull in a bunch of new players. I hope it does, so that when the new title releases after MH:Rise, more people will be familiar with it.
Extremely fun, few minor hiccups.
Thu Jan 18 2024 Eva UnitI am around HR 70 and have been playing since release day and have also played and completed every MH game since it’s inception. While I have thoroughly enjoyed this game and everything it has offered I have 2 glaring issues with it. Positives first, all of the monsters are fantastic additions and I love how fluid they are majority of the time. I love the weapons, and especially the new additions with a recent update with the DB and Lance. I love the armor sets and being able to mix and match them to your liking of your specific weapon of choice to enhance its abilities. The theme music I enjoy and have always let it play when launching it. All of the settings and options to hunt at your comfort and your phone’s abilities. The only 2 negatives I have are the shop and the circle around you to find various monsters in your vicinity. I think the shop is very pricey for what you receive and impact the gameplay a lot more than I’d like and I also feel the circle is a little smaller than it needs to be, even if it’s expanded slightly. I would like the addition of weapon tutorials, and learning how to use your weapon to your fullest potential. Thank you if you read this review and I look forward to further updates and what amazing things this team has brought to this game. Happy Hunting!
Love it but…
Thu Sep 28 2023 BradylogyThough I am a huge fan of the MH series, I have enjoyed this game as well just a few recommendations i have to make the game more enjoyable; 1. Add free items to resource outposts such as potions and paintballs. Like pokemon GO the pokestops give items this would be a wonderful feature. 2. More content. Add more stuff to do than just “kill monster make equipment”. In other MH games they offered stuff such as upgrading facilities by collecting certain items. Why cant we have a “bug” or “plant” box that we can grow items in over time that can be upgraded, even if we get low amount of items back at first, it offers another option for content. 3. More cosmetic options, such as a “transmog” or “glamor” system. Let us wear different things or outfits than whats currently equipped. Other MH games offer outfits, i know you guys can do it based on your previous games. Though the content is somewhat enjoyable it gets boring after awhile. Even spending money isn’t going to make it more enjoyable. Offering more things in game would make me want to spend more money. Pokemon GO has way more options. I will keep an eye on this game and play it once in a great while. Hopefully you release more content. You have alot of potential for this game. I will increase rating when and if more content is available.
I love the game but…
Sun Oct 22 2023 Jello_migueloI absolutely love the game but It has some issues for example the pelico, it is pretty useless right now it paintballs monsters that are sometimes totally useless, like I need to hunt a four star puki pukki and he paint ball’s a one star kuli-ya-ku like come on there should be something so you can tell him what to prioritize and what to ignore. the shop, I feel like it’s lacking in things to do with it, it would be good if we could use our coins to buy things and maybe have a trade system with friends, imagine you have something that you’re friend needs and he has something that you need you can trade and progress instead of suffering to the terrible drop rates from the monsters. The drop rates, good lord is this irritating, I’ve been slaying so many pukki puki to get 1 QUILL and I’m yet to get one, I do have a bunch of scales I don't need about 50 of them please don’t be the second coming of fate grand order with terrible drop rates, if you are then make the healing speed faster and give us ten potions instead of five I love playing the game so it’s a real buzz kill when I I have to wait so long to be able to fight again because a diablo refused to go down. Aside of these things the game was made well there is little to no lag and it’s a ton of fun.
Niantic
Wed Sep 27 2023 Nightmare510Another great game runied by the greed of Niantic. The game at the start is great there is so much to do and the monsters are easy to hunt. Although as you progress monsters health begins to ramp up on top of that their attacks ramp up too. Without proper gear you will likely get one shot by most attacks and this is where the game falls flat. Lack of resources due to the only way to get them is to go to a resource area that refreshes once per day. Also progression is rng is depended on what the monster drops when you kill it. But wait you can carve the monster… WRONG you can have to pay to carve the monster to get extra parts. Also remember how I said monster will start getting stronger well you only get 5 potions a day which at the start is fine, but when you progress monsters attacks will start doing so much damage that after a fight you are using 1-2. Progression after rank 30 is hard at monsters that I need in order to upgrade my weapons don’t spawn and when they do I can’t carve them because I’ll need to spend gems in order to do that which are unobtainable without spending money. Niantic is known to be money hungry and has done similar things with Pokémon go and they of course are doing it with this game and it’s sad it’s at the start maybe if they allow 3 carves a day just like Palico paintballs it would make the game much more appealing for higher rank hunters and increase the time for fights cause 1:15 is not enough.
Needs serious work.
Sat Sep 30 2023 ZmeyetI’m going to start off by saying, I’ve been a fan of the franchise for a long time. That said I went into this game with a lot more hope than I should’ve had. There were several issues that were obvious from the start but I still gave it a chance to see if it got better at a higher level.
My account is at almost level 30 now but none of the issues improve as you level. The drop rates for materials are horrible and spawn rates for large monsters are also very limited. The reach of your circle is tiny which doesn’t help accessing monsters/materials and the only way to increase it is expensive items you have to pay real money for. If the game actually rewarded you with some of the in game currency on occasion it might work better.
Another problem is that I’m not even sure what occasions they give out the in game currency for, unless it’s glitched currently. So without the currency you’re stuck paying for anything you need from paintballs to potions if you run out of the small daily amount provided.
Basically, as the game stands, you’re stuck behind a paywall if you want to play for more than five minutes a day. This is really disappointing as I think the gameplay/hunting is pretty enjoyable and overall the concept has a lot of promise. If they listen to player feedback and make some big changes I think it could actually be a lot of fun.
Needs improvement, then it’ll be a 5 star game.
Fri Sep 22 2023 Mad PriestAs a veteran Monster hunter player, the time you have to hunt a monster and how much the monster attacks and the time you spend evading. You actually only have 60 seconds to fight. Which on the lower tier monsters it isn’t that big of a deal. But when you get to the part of the game where you get to 4-5 star monsters. Their health, attack rate far exceeds your ability to hunt them in under two mins. Plus not to mention the lack of farmable resources and how much this game demands you need to further craft your gear to get it up to par with the monster to stand a chance. For instance the Legiana has maybe a 10% chance you’ll find one maybe two in the swamp area if you are lucky! So good luck walking to hunt the one if it’s available.
Now on to the drop rates for rare materials. It’s worse than a console or pc monster hunter game. Like they really want to to walk, walk some more and fight and fight. Just to be denied the parts you need. Nothing like fighting a 5 star, slaying it and getting tier one or tier two parts. Maybe even a tier three part. Absolutely a disappointment to monster hunter so far. Like y’all have plenty of time to make this game. Pokémon Go has better rates than this game and it’s been out for years. Just take what you have in polemon go and apply it to this game. Seriously don’t disrespect the monster hunter franchise with a game like the you just released do better Niantic! We deserve more than this crap.
A Really Good Game, But One Issue…
Wed Sep 13 2023 Darkfire238This game is really good! It’s essentially just Pokémon Go, but there’s monsters instead. I love the gameplay of it! The one thing that’s annoying me is the gameplay restriction. Essentially, when you go up to a certain speed (I.e Driving), it locks up your gameplay and it won’t unlock until you get the speed down.
I understand that it’s supposed to prevent people who are actually driving from playing the game (Some people are actually idiots who does that), but it’s really annoying and frustrating for players who are actually in the passenger seat playing the game. There is a menu that pops up that has a button with, “I’m not the driver” written on it. Even though I press it (because I’m not driving while playing it), it doesn’t do anything. It still locks your gameplay. I understand the reason and purpose for this, but I wish that it could be removed. Or at least fix it to where it won’t lock your gameplay when you tell the app that you’re not the driver.
If it does get fixed in the future, I would be more than happen to change my review because as I said before; it’s a really, really good game and I’m having a blast playing it! I know the game was just released and it’s not gonna be perfect immediately. It’s just something to maybe consider for the future updates. 🥰🥰
