Monster Hunter has never been very popular west of Japan. This has been true for as long as the series has been alive, but with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Capcom is looking to change that. By releasing the game on both the 3DS and Wii U, as well has having cross-platform save files and online play for the Wii U version, Capcom hopes for a “breakthrough” with the Western audience.
In an interview with Eurogamer, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto shared the company’s thoughts on the upcoming titles:
“Monster Hunter in Japan started and developed in a very different way to how it’s been in Europe so far, Japan being a rather densely populated place with a quite prominent culture of visiting each other’s places to play games together. You see kids carrying their consoles taking them to their friends. They already had this basis of playing games through local network, whereas it’s a bit more difficult in the US and Europe where your neighbour is seven miles away.
“With Wii U, which is online compatible, and with 3DS with its portability, releasing both of them together, we’re giving opportunity and options to consumers to really pick up the version they want and the one that suits them.
“By doing that we might be able to actually have a breakthrough. That’s definitely our intention.”
Capcom also looks to hook the Western audience by making several improvements to the game without taking away from the tried and true Monster Hunter formula. Most notably, they have finally added a lock-on feature to the camera, as well as improving the entire camera system as a whole:
“At the end of the day, the Monster Hunter difficulty is in the action element, not the camera control. We don’t want people to be hindered because the camera control is awkward. We wanted to provide a comfortable environment for the players without spoiling the solidness of the game itself.”
What do you think? Will Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate be what puts you over the edge? Sound off in the comment below!
Source: Eurogamer
Monster Hunter is the main reason I bought the wiiU at launch. I actually SQUEALED liked a little girl when it was announced via Nintendo Direct.
Im buying Both versions (3ds digitaly), the Circle Pad Pro XL, and Nyko Power Pak for wiiU to extend the gamepad battery life, Capcom’s own Monster Hunter XL hardcase AND the turtle beach Wii U headset.
I dont think it needs to be said how much I like this game. Its the #1 played game on my Wii.