Monster Hunter Generations

 3DS
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Release Date: Jul 15, 2016
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 72 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 72
  3. Negative: 0 out of 72
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  1. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Aug 23, 2016
    72
    It has its ups and downs. On one hand, there’s a lot to do and graphics are top-notch by 3DS standards; on the other – there’s basically no story and virtually no new ideas. It’s up to debate what outweighs what, but there’s no doubt that in its genre Monster Hunter has no real competition on 3DS. [Issue#211, p.61]
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  2. Arcade Sushi
    Jul 12, 2016
    70
    We feel the same way about Generations as we did about Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate last year: it's a fun game that requires far too much grinding. We only wish there were more new things to talk about instead of just the same old hunter's song and dance.
  3. 4P.de
    Aug 12, 2016
    65
    I still think that Monster Hunter belongs on a big screen. Having said that, even without a lot of innovation and relying on well-known mechanics this hunt still manages to entertain.
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  1. Ars Technica
    Jul 19, 2016
    Generations is a last, wonderful gasp of life for this aging Monster Hunter engine. If you’ve been on the fence, now is the perfect time to hop aboard.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best 3DS Game of 2016
9
#9 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2016
6
#6 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 164 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 126 out of 164
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 164
  3. Negative: 21 out of 164
  1. ZRaiyne
    Jul 20, 2016
    7
    Strange. Reviewers say this game is awesome, but i would have to disagree. It is indeed solid, but nothing close to the experience and theStrange. Reviewers say this game is awesome, but i would have to disagree. It is indeed solid, but nothing close to the experience and the polish MH4U had.

    If you are a veteran of older titles prior even to MH4U, then you'd know what i mean. From what I've played so far, the game takes two (2) steps forward in terms of gameplay, but takes three (3) steps backwards in everything else.

    I am no newbie to the title, but i am no extreme veteran either. My current record in this genre:

    MH2 - 90 hours
    MHFU - 550 hours
    MH3rdP - 320 hours
    MHTri - 200 hours
    MH4U - 470 hours (and counting)
    MHGenerations - 40 hours (and counting)

    Let's get down to it.

    Story: 3/10

    - "What the hell is going on."

    What MH4U accomplished as a great narrative of a hunter traversing locations with NPC's that feel involved in your world and with monsters that fit into the context - MHGen completely erases.

    There is no story here. You are in a map. You are given quests, a butt load of dialogue with vague descriptions, minimal (recycled) cut scenes, and no milestones for progression aside from a text bubble here and there. Eg. I was given access to ALL towns on the get go and am given tons of filler dialogue that i just got tired of reading.

    Palicoes aren't even introduced properly. You wouldn't even know you had to hire a cat if you haven't played MH4U or the older games. Transitions are just too clunky.

    Graphics: 8/10

    - "Looks awesome, but MH4U looks better and shows more creative effort/production value."

    Same graphics, but the new Jungle area feels abysmally generic. Those big Brontosauruses, in spite of their sheer size and armor plates, provide nothing but RAW meat. The towns from the older titles (which is accessible for all immediately) haven't been touched nor retouched, so they feel VERY out of place and provide nothing but nostalgia factor.

    The hunting areas from the previous game don't blend well with how the new content looks too. Textures though of higher quality now appear to be extremely generic and barren, not to mention if you look at cave walls it is impossible to miss the recurring patterns of bad texture maps. CAPCOM did not even make any attempts at re-texturing the old content to use the potential of the 3DS.

    Gameplay: 10/10

    - "Hunter arts are awesome! No, really they are awesome."

    Hunter Arts are awesome. (period) The variety they provide in terms of gameplay feel fresh. However, you cannot configure the menu on the second screen for only two (2) arts. So if you only use two (2), you have a dead square that should've been used for other utilities. You could use one (1) tile but you have to switch it often to know if the arts are triggered. NO other more efficient notifications of charged arts.

    Interface: 7/10

    - "What's up with the that bright glaring background on the 2nd screen?"

    When MH4U came out, i saw the potential of clearing your screen and move all distracting elements to the bar below. However, in MHGen despite being able to do that, you are faced with a BRIGHT background that is a pain for the eyes on dimly lit situations. Your second screen is brighter that your main screen for crying out load.

    Overall: 7/10

    - "This game is good, but MH4U is awesome."

    MHGen gives too much homage to nostalgia. Content and polish are there, but are there on a selective basis. Game lacks a workable story and G-rank making it rather short. It seems they just stitched 35% of the older titles for no reason and that's it frankly. You as a hunter have no role in this world.
    Compared to MH4U, this game feels like a bridge to the future MH5 . No effort on immersion has been done unlike MH4U that introduces the genre to new players and veterans alike. In fact, if you are a new player, i would highly recommend you pick-up MH4U first before deciding to play this game. Killing monsters is always cool mind you, but I've been playing monster hunter for so long, a few tricks like moves and stuff don't impress me compared to polish, accessibility, and simply the quality that is present all throughout MH4U. Again, with this game out, Monster Hunter 5 should be just around the corner. Hopefully that game brings the same polish as MH4U has.    … Full Review »
  2. TemplarGR
    Sep 10, 2016
    0
    Greatly overrated. Monster hunter is only good if you are a kid with tons of free time and have a close circle of friends to play multiplayerGreatly overrated. Monster hunter is only good if you are a kid with tons of free time and have a close circle of friends to play multiplayer with. Otherwise, there is nothing of value here.

    As a single player experience, this is a boring grind with no story. There is no real challenge, you don't need to be smart to win, just have a lot of time in your hands to grind and gather stuff.

    The graphics are meh and the controls on the 3DS are total garbage without the add on.

    All in all, totally overrated. Get this if you are a japanese fanboy and don't know any better about good western games, otherwise, skip it.    … Full Review »
  3. Zaiaku
    Aug 10, 2016
    5
    Honestly, this game is an insult to anyone who is a fan of the series. Far too easy, weapon upgrading has been unnecessarily complicated,Honestly, this game is an insult to anyone who is a fan of the series. Far too easy, weapon upgrading has been unnecessarily complicated, palicos are all but useless and the Hunter skills/arts are pointless and clunky... It has a few good points such as the roster, Prowler mode for a change of perspective and nice graphics but outside of that... its the worst game in the MH series.

    I keep playing it sometimes...And by sometimes i mean rarely. Every time I do, it pisses me off more. there is no challenge to this game at all. And the weapon upgrade system is worse then I thought it was. It gimps your weapon until you can level it up.

    Every time i play this game, my score of it goes down...    … Full Review »
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