When I
previewed Monster Hunter Freedom Unite for the PSP, I said that it was
already looking like a bigger and better version of the last release, Monster
Hunter Freedom 2. In fact, the game looks and plays much like the last
Monster Hunter game but it still manages to be just what Capcom promised us
in a game that definitely is a more complete version of the game that is, by
far, the best game in the series.
On the
surface, nothing has changed from Monster Hunter Freedom 2. In
fact, the game begins the same way with your character on a dangerous hunt in
the merciless tundra when you suddenly figure out that you’re no match for a
massive monster. You wake up a few days later resting comfortably in a little
shack in a village that is home to a monster-hunting guild. This is exactly
where you want to be seeing as you haven’t given up on the monster hunting game.
In the
village, you’ll find all the necessary tools to begin your career as a monster
hunter and, as I mentioned, there’s the guild hall that posts a number of
missions of various difficulty grades. This time around, you’ll find some harder
mission classes that make up a few of the extras that make up Unite’s new
content. The tougher mission classifications deliver just what they promise …
tougher missions that require you to fetch items that are too hard to get or
take down monsters similar to the one that almost killed you.
If you
missed Freedom 2, you can start the game fresh with a new character you
can create from scratch. You can also import your character from said game so
you can have a powerful hunter from the very start. While you do start with the
basics, the more missions you accept the more money and parts you get to buy or
design various weapons or armor. I once made a shield with the scale of a dragon
and a lance made from the jawbone of a beast that resembles a velociraptor. This
time around, the number of upgrade sets is numerous so it’s possible to have
hundreds of different armor or weapon types.
The number
of missions has also increased, although the majority of them are taken directly
from Freedom 2. These extra missions range from simple (find a rare herb
or monster egg) to the more difficult missions that have you hunting big
monsters. While it’s possible to tackle the missions solo, there are times when
you will wish you had a friend or two lending a hand … but I’ll get to the
multiplayer a bit later. With over 400 missions, there is certainly a lot to do
in this game so you’ll be glad that there are plenty of weapons to use. This is
certainly not an easy game.
Thankfully,
there is help for those who are tackling the missions solo and this help comes
in the form of cat-like creatures called Felynes. In past Monster Hunter
games, Felynes played minor roles in the games but here you can actually take
one in as a traveling and hunting companion. There are a few Felyne training
options that allow you to make the best of your furry companion. You can have
your Felyne act as a distraction when you’re going up against a monster or even
have your cat friend pick up useful items along the way. You can even have a
Felyne perform some tasks that normally take up much of your time.
There’s also
a lot of ground to cover in the game. It’s impressive to see the various areas
you can move through but I still wish the map were more understandable. You’ll
still be able to perform tasks such as cooking (which opens up a cooking
mini-game). Battle still remains the same as the console version, although, on
the PSP, the camera can occasionally get in the way of the view of a charging
monster. Thankfully, the controls are responsive enough to make combat
entertaining.
As a
single-player game, Unite is a fun and lengthy adventure. What really
makes the game shine, however, is the Ad Hoc multiplayer mode that allows you
and up to three other friends to meet in the Guild Hall and take on missions
together. With other players, you will be able to coordinate attacks against the
bigger enemies or have your friends complete one part of the mission while you
complete the second half. This is definitely the way to play the game.
Unite
also looks really good on the PSP widescreen. The level of detail is quite
impressive seeing how close the game comes to making this game look like it
would feel right at home on a console. With some sharp-looking character models
and gorgeous backgrounds, this is a game that won’t fail to surprise.
The game
doesn’t have any voice acting. In fact, the dialogue is made up of text and some
gibberish that comes from the characters when they speak. There is a great deal
of sound effects, though, and all of it sounds great … especially if you’re
wearing earphones. The soundtrack is good but a tad on the repetitive side.
Monster
Hunter Freedom Unite
for the PSP is indeed a
bigger and better game than Freedom 2, although the core game is still
the same no matter what extras are included. Still, the new content does make
for a far richer experience that should be worth the purchase price for fans who
did buy Freedom 2. For those who missed out on the last title will
definitely be surprised by all the things that make this such an exciting and
deeply involving Monster Hunter game.
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Gameplay: 8.5
Played as a
single-player game or with a hunting party composed of friends, this is
Monster Hunter game that gives even the console original a run for its
money. Unite doesn’t really change the story introduced in the last
Monster Hunter game but there are more missions and extras to make this a
much bigger game.
Graphics: 8.0
Visually
speaking, Unite looks just as sharp as it would if this were on the PS2.
The backgrounds are beautifully detailed and the monsters look amazing. It’s
just too bad that there are some awful clipping issues.
Sound:
8.0
The background
noises are impressively detailed to the point that you’ll hear the buzzing
insects and the sounds of a monster breaking twigs as it makes it your way. The
music in the game is actually really good.
Difficulty: Medium/Hard
The minute you go
up against a giant monster or fire-breathing dragon you know you will be in for
one challenging battle that will often require you to reload a saved game. Sure,
you can take on the tough monsters on your own but you’ll definitely appreciate
the help if you like playing with a friend or two.
Concept: 8.5
Unite
brings more of everything to the table including extra missions to extend the
monster hunting experience, more pieces to use as armor or weapons and bigger
monsters to go up against. The new Felyne companions are actually great to have
around and are actually helpful.
Multiplayer: 9.0
A far more
rewarding experience than playing solo, Unite is definitely the right
word to describe the multiplayer action that allows you and up to three other
players to take on monsters together. The wireless multiplayer runs smoothly and
with enough equipment to trade and missions to tackle together, the multiplayer
option is the reason you’ll be playing this game for quite awhile.
Overall: 8.5
Surprisingly
enough, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite has more than enough extra content
to bring returning Monster Hunter fans back into the savage hunting
grounds. For those who missed it the first time around, however, this is the
real Must Have version you have to own.
