Every new Monster Hunter generation (at least since Tri) has brought with it a major revision to the gameplay. 3rd generation had underwater combat, introduced some new mechanics like monster stamina, and more. 4th generation shifted the focus to aerial attacks and a more verticality focused level design - axing underwater combat entirely. Monster Hunter World expanded on the actual world of the game, making maps seamlessly interconnected instead of the old zone-based system from the prior games. We also had even more of a focus on verticality and environmental interactions, with stuff like slopes, wedge beetles, and flora/fauna that could be used to help players in the middle of hunts.
Monster Hunter World was such a huge jump from the previous games, and has added so much to the formula, that I actually struggle to think about what else the series could add to spice things up again - the only thing I could think of is that maybe it might be time to give underwater combat another shot.
We already have a pretty good idea that Leviathans like Lagiacrus will be back in the next games, but it goes without saying that Lagiacrus without underwater combat is just half a monster - despite all of the changes that it received in MHGen/GU. I also feel like that part of the "problem" with underwater combat may be fixed thanks to maneuverability improvements in MHWorld. Stuff like the clutch claw from Iceborne feels like it could go a long way towards making underwater easier to swallow for weapons that aren't just Lance. I also think it's fair to say that some of the complaints about underwater combat might've been exacerbated by the default control schemes for Tri and MH3U on Wii and 3DS respectively. I know that I'm not the only one that enjoyed water combat much more once I found out about dodging up and down in the water using the ZL/ZR buttons in Tri/MH3U - having functions like that in MH6/MHW2 along with everything else might go a long way in helping water combat comes across better if it's better explained.
I really don't know what else could be added that would feel like a paradigm shift, and with how well MHW sold it feels like MHW2 deserves just as much of a paradigm shift, too. I always liked underwater as a concept and I really do feel like it's time for the series to give it another shot. What does MHEra think?
Monster Hunter World was such a huge jump from the previous games, and has added so much to the formula, that I actually struggle to think about what else the series could add to spice things up again - the only thing I could think of is that maybe it might be time to give underwater combat another shot.
We already have a pretty good idea that Leviathans like Lagiacrus will be back in the next games, but it goes without saying that Lagiacrus without underwater combat is just half a monster - despite all of the changes that it received in MHGen/GU. I also feel like that part of the "problem" with underwater combat may be fixed thanks to maneuverability improvements in MHWorld. Stuff like the clutch claw from Iceborne feels like it could go a long way towards making underwater easier to swallow for weapons that aren't just Lance. I also think it's fair to say that some of the complaints about underwater combat might've been exacerbated by the default control schemes for Tri and MH3U on Wii and 3DS respectively. I know that I'm not the only one that enjoyed water combat much more once I found out about dodging up and down in the water using the ZL/ZR buttons in Tri/MH3U - having functions like that in MH6/MHW2 along with everything else might go a long way in helping water combat comes across better if it's better explained.
I really don't know what else could be added that would feel like a paradigm shift, and with how well MHW sold it feels like MHW2 deserves just as much of a paradigm shift, too. I always liked underwater as a concept and I really do feel like it's time for the series to give it another shot. What does MHEra think?
