Capcom is directly working with augmented reality (AR) development specialist Niantic to give fans theMonster Hunterexperience on mobile devices withMonster Hunter Now. The latter is known for making the popular AR gamePokemon GO, which continues to be updated and played by millions of players worldwide. As such, there are big expectations ahead ofMonster Hunter Now’s release in September 2023. To keep the hype train going, the developers have revealed a few key features that players should expect to experience at launch.
TheMonster Hunterfranchise started on the PlayStation 2. Its core gameplay involves capturing monsters for missions that reward the player with loot and money that they can use to create incrementally stronger armor and weapons.Monster Huntergenerally supports multiplayer, but hunters are also often accompanied by sentient cats, which are calledPalico companions inMonster Hunter. These cute critters offer various defensive and offensive support abilities during combat. Capcom seems to be doubling down on the multiplayer aspect of the series withMonster Hunter Now.
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All Features Confirmed for Monster Hunter Now
The official press release for the game, published by Niantic on their website, hints thatMonster Hunter Nowwill focus heavily on co-op play. The trailer also showed players teaming up to take down one ofMonster Hunter’s Elder Dragons. The game, according to producer Ryozo Tsujimoto, focuses on the “here and now.” Apart from taking advantage of Niantic’s AR technology to render the franchise’s most fearsome creatures in the real world, it will also require players’ devices to be physically present at the monsters’ locations to defeat them.
Party members need to be in the same place for co-op battles, too. Combat is simplified for mobile in this game, which consists of tapping and swiping on the screen to perform various moves. Each encounter will last about 75 seconds, which is quick compared to the usual 40-minute combat in mainline games. If it’s going to followPokemon GO’s successful exploration format,Monster Hunter Nowmay scatter common monsters around everyday locations and place resources and shops on important landmarks like parks and monuments.
Monster Hunter’s Palicos are Back in a Big Way
Palicos are integrated intoMonster Hunter Now, and they’re as supportive as ever. The players can command their cats to mark a monster with a paintball, which causes it to leave a trail. The hunter can then fight the creature at a later time. This is especially helpful when the player encounters a rare monster but they’re too busy to keep playing They can just mark the creature and battle it once they’ve got free time. It’s a convenient way to reduce the fear of missing out. The Palico can even mark every monster a player encounters while the app is inactive, so players can get into battle as soon as they have time to openMonster Hunter Now.
Players can also ask their Palico to gather materials for them, according to an article published by Niantic Tokyo. Players can then use the materials they receive for item crafting.Crafting is a core feature inMonster Hunter Now, which lets players create and upgrade their weapons and armor.
Monster Hunter Nowmay offer an easier and more simple gaming experience compared to its mainline siblings, but it retains the essence of the franchise. The monsters are as fearsome as ever, as players get to see them tower over houses and skyscrapers. They also get to craft and use the franchise’s iconic weapons like greatswords, axes, and bows. Palicos are as helpful as ever in this game, too, taking on mundane tasks, so players can focus on hunting and battling monsters. It’s obvious that Capcom and Niantic worked hard to make these signatureMonster Hunterfeatures fit perfectly in a mobile package.
Monster Hunter Nowis set to release on September 2023 for Mobile devices.
