Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is finally making its way to stores, and game critics are already racing to get their reviews out just in time.
After almost a year of anticipation, the first major expansion to Capcom's epic adventure game is about to become available over the weekend. Fans can pick up their copies of MHW: Iceborne for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One for $39.99 for just the expansion or $59.99 for the base game and expansion bundle.
Expanding 'The Monster Hunter: World' Universe
Prior to Iceborne's release, game developers have already teased about the boatloads of new content set to be included in the expansion. It features a brand-new narrative centered on a mystery discovered by the Hunter's Guild and Research Commission in the snow-covered land of Hoarfrost Reach.
The introduction of the New World adds a wide array of new monsters to hunt and quests to conquer. While veteran Monster Hunter players will encounter some creatures that they've already met in earlier installments in the franchise, they will still see many others that they haven't even come across before such as the vicious, ice-encrusted elder dragon known as Velkhana.
Iceborne updates the original gameplay featured in Monster Hunter: World, making quests much more challenging even for seasoned Hunters.
Even before players can set foot on Hoarfrost Reach, they are required to clear the base game first until they reach Hunter Rank 16. This is crucial to help prepare them for the sudden ramp up in the game's difficulty.
MHW developers have even added a new gameplay known as Hunter Helper to help low-ranked players to catch up with veteran Hunters. Those who will lend a hand to others will receive rewards in the game, though it's still not yet clear what exactly those incentives will be.
Early Reviews For 'MHW: Iceborne'
Some well-known video game journalists have already shared their early thoughts on MHW: Iceborne.
Tom Marks of IGN called Iceborne a "true beast of an expansion," praising the title's inclusion of new and returning monsters, as well as several improvements to Monster Hunter: World's gameplay.
While Marks took note at the expansion's reliance on subspecies and variants of familiar monsters at certain points, he said it still offers enough new content to consider Iceborne a genuine sequel.
Heather Alexandra of Kotaku hailed the title as a "remarkable celebration" of the Monster Hunter franchise. She particularly welcomed the expansion of the game's roster of creatures.
"In bringing back a slew of fan-favorite creatures (including two of my favorites: Glavenus and Nargacuga) it's clear that this expansion is as much a nod to series veterans as it is a chance for fresh-faced hunters to cut their teeth and become truly elite hunters," Alexandra said.
Meanwhile, Mick Fraser of God is a Geek compared Iceborne to a much-needed "shot in the arm" of the Monster Hunter series. He said the expansion might just be business as usual for veterans of the game, but for gamers who are coming into MHW fresh, the title offers a genuine treat.
