As Monster Hunter Wilds promises further streamlining of the series’ compelling formula, I’m surprised a Stardew Valley-like spinoff hasn’t happened yet

Again within the PSP days of Monster Hunter, I used to be fairly aggravated by the necessity to grind and farm the farms to essentially maximize development between one hunt and the subsequent. Greater than 15 years later, I need them again… elsewhere.

The thought of fully totally different city areas which you needed to micromanage and had been cozy initially survived till the 3DS entries of the sequence, however it’s one thing that is been steadily pushed apart in favor of extra streamlined looking experiences with little to no fats. As Monster Hunter Wilds prepares to pounce on us in late February with extra instruments of killing and methods to navigate the wilds seamlessly, one has to surprise how lengthy it will be earlier than the idea of a everlasting city/village is dropped altogether or diminished to a very brief downtime.

Disclaimer: I do not thoughts Monster Hunter’s large latest steps in direction of changing into extra accessible. The builders have truly excelled at making the sequence extra palatable through the first 20 hours or so with World and Rise, and the brand new entry is doubling down on such additions and QoL adjustments. It is a good factor so long as it does not dilute what makes the core video games so distinctive.

This strategy, nevertheless, instantly collides with the aforementioned ‘farming’ aspect components of older video games. Monster Hunter has at all times been about mankind’s relationship with nature and the frictions born out of it even when it takes place in a completely totally different world that is not impacted by rampant industrialization (but). Even when the precise farming components had been a little bit of a slog, particularly after dozens of hours of playtime, that they had a spot inside the sequence’ voice and really soul. Whereas my ‘gamer mind’ appreciates having much less busywork so I can spend extra time smacking wyverns on the pinnacle with large weapons, my extra considerate aspect is sorta bummed out by the dearth of farmsteads within the more moderen installments.

A possible resolution? Placing a small city sim spinoff in improvement. It is a style that is been booming for fairly some time however fairly often lacks an identification past ‘have a look at the lovable artwork model’ and riffing on Stardew Valley with small twists. Monster Hunter, however, looks as if the right match for the essential premise of cozy life sims. The worldbuilding and philosophy are already there, and we have performed a primary model of that potential recreation earlier than. A number of instances, truly. Let my Felyne work extra jobs than administration, looking, and cooking once more!

The Monster Hunter IP isn’t any stranger to off-beat spinoffs both. Monster Hunter Now seems to be thriving on cell; Monster Hunter Puzzles is a pleasant little experiment; and Monster Hunter Stories has already turn into a decent RPG subseries of its personal. At this level, a city sim does not sound like a distant chance. As a substitute, it is the kind of undertaking that ought to be imminent if Capcom is taking note of the correct developments.

That is when the Monkey’s Paw curls and we do get a MH city sim… only for cell. Nah, I need a totally featured, premium recreation. Give it a definite artwork model, work exhausting on the visible presentation, give you an attractive loop that makes the a lot of the universe’s uniqueness and wackier aspect. Searching does not even should be unnoticed of the components. What about hiring some veteran hunters to guard the city from wyverns and different monsters? Allow us to enhance and customise gathering halls! There are such a lot of prospects past farming, mining, fishing, bug gathering, beekeeping, and whatnot as offered within the traditional titles.

Rejection of cellphones as goal platforms and gacha-like components apart, it is the kind of pitch that may be killer for moveable {hardware}, sure. With the mainline Monster Hunter entries now specializing in the ‘robust {hardware}’ Xbox-PS-PC trio, may such a recreation be a implausible third-party Nintendo unique? Animal Crossing’s reputation is at an all-time excessive after New Horizons, and I’ve little doubt we’ll see one other entry for the Switch 2 sooner moderately than later, however that does not imply there is no house for one more winner.

I is likely to be wading into ‘armchair developer’ territory right here, certain, however hear me out: I am simply an excited fan who’s not simply eager about what’s in entrance of them, but additionally in regards to the doable futures of a franchise that is given them nothing however happiness. I like Monster Hunter and would like to see it develop not simply as an action-RPG sequence. It is actually in the correct path to changing into greater and extra appetizing for all, and the previous spinoffs talked about right here show that in addition to my foremost level.

Or maybe I am simply utterly misreading the franchise’s present standing and the precise affect its spinoffs have had on the overall sentiment. Perhaps people would moderately stick with killing mighty beasts and outsized pests. However it’s kind of of a miserable thought. I consider Monster Hunter is far more than that, and I will be first in line and able to bat for extra peaceable makes an attempt to increase its world and lore.