PSA: Most negative reviews are trying to run the game at 60 FPS without outclassing the recommended specs. Their fault for not being able to read.

So, I'm running this game on literally the minimum specs listed on the store page. Except for the GPU, it's the same but with 2GB VRAM more. The settings are set to mostly the lowest, a few are set higher. Resolution at 768p.

And the game runs perfectly smooth at 30 FPS. Well, as smooth as 30 FPS can be, anyway. I might try to put a few settings a bit higher, but would have to try in rain with large monsters firing fire and stuff. Not something I can do reliably where I currently am in the game.
Only reason I'm making this review this early is to combat the negative score.

On the game itself? It's Monster Hunter, so, if you've never played a Hunting Action Game before, the genre might not be for you. If you have, however, and liked it, chances are good you will LOVE this.

For those that don't know to expect: The game is grindy, through not as much as for example Warframe or a lot of MMORPGs. That is, unless you want all weapons from a certain monster, but there's no real use to that usually. Also, the game is more skill-based than anything, with no levels. Gear progression is important however, but for armors can be mostly ignored if you're good enough to get barely hit at all. Better weapons are a must over time however.



Pros:

- All weapons now play properly differently, not like in Tri or 4G, where Switchaxe and Great Blade were way too similiar.

- weapons seem more balanced than in 4G or Tri (far from expert on all weapons, so can't judge 100%)

- good variation of monster, not best in the series, but still a very good one

- bounties are nice to have and give more sense to collecting whatever you come across

- investigations make grinding materials from monsters a bit easier and give more quests to do with little modifiers here and there (time- or faint-limit or capturing instead of hunting in whatever way)

- lots of small QoL improvements overall(faster collecting, walking while drinking healing pots, etc.)

- No more zones making everything feel way more alive and going after monsters trying to run away more fun, especially since you can stop them now.^

- slinger and using environment against monsters

- Large monsters often fight one another as well now, which makes them run away often and even gives you research points at times.



Neutral:

- nice character customization, with heterochromatic eyes being an option, could be better through

- Weapon-upgrade system is modular, meaning the optical variation for most isn't as large, but they can also be downgraded to reacquire the materials used.

- No more difference between gunner and blademaster for armours. meaning less variation, but no 2 armors needed for playing both.

- Scoutflies are a neat addition in the way they were added, imho, but they tend to hover where you have gone by already when leading you towards something, making it difficult to see traces/tracks other scoutflies point to at times.

- lots of menus with lots of submenus (standard for Monster Hunter through)



Cons:

- quests with cutscenes can't be played together

- palicos and partners can knock you off of monsters you ride

- The online system is a bit old school, but still perfectly useable.

- no more pause-option in the menu

PSA: Most negative reviews are trying to run the game at 60 FPS without outclassing the recommended specs. Their fault for not being able to read. So, I'm running this game on literally the minimum specs listed on the store page. Except for the GPU, it's the same but with 2GB VRAM more. The settings are set to mostly the lowest, a few are set higher. Resolution at 768p. And the game runs perfectly smooth at 30 FPS. Well, as smooth as 30 FPS can be, anyway. I might try to put a few settings a bit higher, but would have to try in rain with large monsters firing fire and stuff. Not something I can do reliably where I currently am in the game. Only reason I'm making this review this early is to combat the negative score. On the game itself? It's Monster Hunter, so, if you've never played a Hunting Action Game before, the genre might not be for you. If you have, however, and liked it, chances are good you will LOVE this. For those that don't know to expect: The game is grindy, through not as much as for example Warframe or a lot of MMORPGs. That is, unless you want all weapons from a certain monster, but there's no real use to that usually. Also, the game is more skill-based than anything, with no levels. Gear progression is important however, but for armors can be mostly ignored if you're good enough to get barely hit at all. Better weapons are a must over time however. Pros: - All weapons now play properly differently, not like in Tri or 4G, where Switchaxe and Great Blade were way too similiar. - weapons seem more balanced than in 4G or Tri (far from expert on all weapons, so can't judge 100%) - good variation of monster, not best in the series, but still a very good one - bounties are nice to have and give more sense to collecting whatever you come across - investigations make grinding materials from monsters a bit easier and give more quests to do with little modifiers here and there (time- or faint-limit or capturing instead of hunting in whatever way) - lots of small QoL improvements overall(faster collecting, walking while drinking healing pots, etc.) - No more zones making everything feel way more alive and going after monsters trying to run away more fun, especially since you can stop them now.^ - slinger and using environment against monsters - Large monsters often fight one another as well now, which makes them run away often and even gives you research points at times. Neutral: - nice character customization, with heterochromatic eyes being an option, could be better through - Weapon-upgrade system is modular, meaning the optical variation for most isn't as large, but they can also be downgraded to reacquire the materials used. - No more difference between gunner and blademaster for armours. meaning less variation, but no 2 armors needed for playing both. - Scoutflies are a neat addition in the way they were added, imho, but they tend to hover where you have gone by already when leading you towards something, making it difficult to see traces/tracks other scoutflies point to at times. - lots of menus with lots of submenus (standard for Monster Hunter through) Cons: - quests with cutscenes can't be played together - palicos and partners can knock you off of monsters you ride - The online system is a bit old school, but still perfectly useable. - no more pause-option in the menu