Monster Hunter Generations review - Better than Freedom Unite?!

Monster Hunter Generations is a celebration of all the past Monster Hunter games tied up into a neat little package.

You'll recognise many of the stages and monsters if you're an old hand with MH3U and MH4U, but there's plenty to discover if you missed out on the PSP games.

This series is all about hunting bigger and badder monsters, nabbing their spoils, and making gear and weapons to make you stronger. If you're looking for one heck of a time sink with tons to work on, this is the game for you.

Monster Hunter Generations

Generations doesn't ease the player in quite as slowly as MH4U, which could be disconcerting to new players as there's a lot more to take in compared to earlier games in the series.

That said, everything that's been added to the formula is a great help, and returning systems have been heavily optimised.

Falling with Aerial Style

Here we have all the same weapons we found in MH4U, but with the addition of Hunting Styles and Hunter Arts making your loadout more heavily customisable.

Want to fly around the stage, mounting as many monsters as humanly possible? Try Aerial Style with the Insect Glaive or Lance. Handier with the Charge Blade? Equip the Striker Style to have access to three Arts that'll beef up your blade in the battlefield.

Monster Hunter Generations

The first several hours of Generations focus a little too much on gathering quests and hunting small monsters, rather than throwing you into battle with big ol' beasts.

While it's interesting to learn you can collect different items from a giant peaceful monster by attacking it as it eats or drinks, being told to collect something like 20 unique ferns is overkill for a gathering quest.

Pali-go

Palicoes - your feline helpers on the battlefield - remain a blessing to single player mode and two player co-op.

And, thanks to the Meowstress, they're incredibly easy to search for now. The Meowstress will scout out six Palicoes based on their abilities or looks, rather than leaving you to traipse around yourself for them at random.

Generations also boasts an all-new playing style where you can switch from your Hunter to your Prowler (Palico).

Monster Hunter Generations Talking 'bout my Generations

With endless stamina, nine lives, and infinite gathering equipment, these cool cats not only make gathering items a breeze, but also hold their own compared to the average Hunter.

Monster Hunter Generations is the most complete game in the series yet, and the best one at that. If you have friends or family you can hunt with regularly, this is an absolute essential for 3DS.

Monster Hunter Generations review - Better than Freedom Unite?!

The best bits from the past 10 years of Monster Hunter fuse together to make a multiplayer masterpiece
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Danny Russell
Danny Russell
After spending years in Japan collecting game developers' business cards, Danny has returned to the UK to breed Pokemon. He spends his time championing elusive region-exclusive games while shaking his fist at the whole region-locking thing.