Monster Hunter has always been one of those series that should be more popular than it is. The games have and continue to be huge successes over in Japan, but in the United States, Monster Hunter hasn't been able to hit critical mass quite yet.
It's a shame, too, as Capcom's action-RPGs are consistently excellent. The various creatures of Monster Hunter are almost enough to justify a purchase on their own — combine that with a combat system that's both easy to understand and difficult to master, and you've got a recipe for something unique.
Then again, there are a few possible reasons as to why Monster Hunter hasn't taken off in the States: the games can be notoriously obtuse, with hidden mechanics buried under multiple layers of hard-to-navigate menus. The combat is almost always fantastic, but everything in between can be rough.
For better or worse, Monster Hunter Generations is no different. The game is great, but it has its fair share of moments that will likely have new players trying to pull their hair out. That's where our guide comes in. With these 10 tips, new fans and old pros alike should have no trouble navigating the first few hours of Monster Hunter Generations.
Take It Slow
Most of Monster Hunter Generations quests are relatively straightforward, but there are a few with more nuanced mechanics. If you're having trouble figuring out what to do, just consult the Quest Info section of the Start menu — trust us, it could end up saving you quite a bit of time.
Play With People
Monster Hunter may seem like the kind of series that requires a group of friends to play with, but that's usually not the case. There's no denying that having people to actually talk to certainly helps, but for the most part, the Monster Hunter community is a helpful, friendly bunch — don't be scared off by the idea of playing with a group of strangers.
Customize The Game
Playing Monster Hunter can feel a little clunky — but it doesn't have to! Buried in the game's menus are a number of different customization options: different camera configurations, control options and button layouts can all be fiddled with until you land on something that works.
Panels are also worth changing around. Generations offers up two presets when the game starts, and neither are great. Again, just mess around with the layout until you find something that works — it'll go a long way toward making the experience smoother.
Finally, there are Hunter Arts and Styles, which subtly change how each Hunter controls. The game will constantly hint at the idea of different styles, so this one is hard to miss — plus, it adds yet another layer of customization.
Play With The Animals
Every world-famous Monster Hunter needs a break every now and then — why not take a load off and pet one of various moofah wandering around the village?
If you're looking for more on Capcom's long-running action-RPG series, make sure to check out our first impressions of Monster Hunter Generations' opening hours!
