Maybe it's not even real, just a figment of our imaginations. Maybe this isn't real. Maybe we're all sitting in pods somewhere in the future being farmed for our memories. Eh? Yeah, maybe...

Managed to get the credits, didn't take all that long. The only complaint I really have is that everything feels a lot easier than usual, it's a step down even from world. That said, part of that is my own familiarity with the series baking in over the years. All the gunlance stuff is second nature to me now, and the wirebug stuff they've added only makes it more powerful. I fainted... once prior to Magnamalo, but I guess that's low rank for ya. I look forward to digging into HR, and seeing what stuff they add.

The new roster this time around really is the best the series has had, only 4U I think comes close to the charm and variety of the monsters. Magnamalo is pretty cool, though he's a damn sight meaner than everything that comes before him, so it caught me off guard. The aesthetic and the general Japan-centric feel of the game makes it feel fresh after a few years of it circling loosely around different cultural touchstones. It's always relied on that stuff, but this time we have a bird that looks like a cursed umbrella spirit, and a yokozuna turtle. Couple that with the noh theatre style intros and it's a big delicious ball of personality.

Gone have a big marathon session tomorrow, see how far I can get through the 5 and 6* village stuff.

The village is the easiest Monster Hunter to date - by quite a distance. Monsters don't hit very hard and the wire bugs are a get out of jail free card if used correctly. Hunter mobility is massively increased.

Hub is meant to be tougher but I've not tackled that yet - apart from the first licence test in the village (good idea that).

I'm in v6* and still with my rare 2 weapon and 44 defence. I don't think I'll need to upgrade either as I only have 2 or 3 fights left.

So far I like most of the fights apart from Almudron, and Rathalos is back to being really annoying. I'm not 100% sure about Diablos' hip check either. I haven't fought everything yet though.

You will need it later, if you choose to fuck around with classes. That's all I can really add.

Everyone is saying the credits rolling means you beat the tutorial, so i wouldn't be too quick to judge.

Low Rank don't mean dick, you must know that by now.

Chalice, are you making sure you're taking all the items in your shortcuts with you in the item pouch before a hunt? Could be why they have a red cross. Check if they're there by checking your items pouch, or scrolling through your items the old school way (L + y or a).

If you have too many items, you're not making enough things! It's very important to make loads of things you're never gonna use.

Blue Swirl wrote:

Nina wrote:

If you have too many items, you're not making enough things! It's very important to make loads of things you're never gonna use.

True this. Full sets of armour I'm never going to wear just because I happened to have the materials is my specialty.

I'm digging MHR so far. A nice blend of old- and World-style MH. The only bugbear is the easiness. You can even sharpen your weapon on the move if you're riding your Palamute. When does a quality of life improvement take away from the experience? I appreciate not flexing my muscles every time I use a health item, but does being able to harvest mushrooms whilst sprinting not make things a tad too simple?

They introduced harvesting on the move in World but yeah, it’s a step further here. Stuff like harvesting all ore with one stroke of the pickaxe I don’t mind either way - I’m fine with one hit, fine with three. Also don’t wanna go back to breakable pickaxes, nets etc, that can all stay.

But stuff like hot / cold drinks or armour sets with environmental protections being gone I’m not so keen on. Yes it’s more faff, but at least it forces you to prep a little before a fight. Now I can take pretty much identical load outs every time because it’s all been streamlined.

Monster tracking now completely gone too and once you’ve fought an enemy all weaknesses are given to you. It’s just a bit too streamlined for me, even though I know these changes will be welcomed by most, and that’s fine - different strokes and all, I’m still really enjoying this and had some more great lunchtime hunts with Nina today so the bread and butter (hit monsters with things, alone or with friends) is still solid. Better than it’s ever been, truly.

I just hope World 2, or whatever it is called, doubles down on some of the strengths of World - environments that feel like animals live in them, and interactions between flora and fauna. Gorgeous environments filled with secrets where you have to consider traversal. Environmental hazards that can screw you up, or be used to your advantage. That kinda thing. Until then, though, Rise will most likely prove a very enjoyable instalment, regardless of whether it’s a little over simplified and flashy or not.

The limit on wirebugs for traversal can be annoying. Out of combat they should just let you wirebug all you want.

I feel pretty stupid honestly but at the same time why on earth would you need all those shortcuts for the village??? WTF were they thinking?? Thanks Haak. I thought it was for SP and MP. Another bonkers idea that could've been better thought out...

Cover Boy down.

Hey, we #ProGamers

All village stuff done, apart from finding all sub camps.

Rampage quest to unlock HR next up.

That's me and Cinty and Nina in High Rank. Have swapped to the Great Sword for tail choppin' times. Love all the new movement stuff the wirebugs have unlocked, though for GS and GL, I've found that the second set of wirebug skills is far better than the first!

The health pool of HR is too high. Khezu has 4 times the health of the village version (increases due to Hub and HR). I do more damage now than village but it's a bit tedious fighting slightly modified, tankier versions all over again.

mrsmr2 wrote:

The health pool of HR is too high. Khezu has 4 times the health of the village version (increases due to Hub and HR). I do more damage now than village but it's a bit tedious fighting slightly modified, tankier versions all over again.

Yeah, some of the HR monsters are very spongey, but I wasn’t sure whether to put that down to health pools or the fact I still hadn’t properly upgraded from some LR stuff (you’ll pry that LR Nargacuga LBG from my cold, dead hands...or when I finally unlock the HR version).