Monster Hunter Freedom

It’s literally an Action-RPG with Harvest Moon elements. Not to mention the atmosphere of the game is very well created with the feeling that you actually are in a world of dinosaurs and there is a chance you will die.

The devil may indeed be in the details, but if you dive into Freedom with the mind-set of "knowing is half the battle," you'll be rewarded with a game that will provide you with--no lie--over 100 hours of truly compelling gameplay. [Jun 2006, p.100]

It's a lot more game than you'd expect from your average handheld title, and one that transcends the usual, disposable nature of portable games.

Monster Hunter is certainly an acquired taste. But if you can appreciate the appeal of crafting, if RPGs aren't just about you leveling something, and if you're willing to try something completely different, you're in for a long, open-ended treat.

A great game that could have been much better had there been a real online mode (especially with that VoIP headset, damn it).

The game's short-burst quests and small-scale exploration are perfectly suited to a handheld game, and while it's easy to get into, it gets more fun and involving the more you play.

There are hundreds of ways to style your character at the beginning.

It's Capcom's welcome variation on conventional RPG's, the difference being that you don't really go anywhere. [Sept. 2006, p.81]

It's obvious that the developers spent a long time adapting the single-player mode to compensate for the lack of the online mode. The four-player co-op mode is played via the ad-hock wireless system. Having players equipped with different weapons, both Blade and Gunner style, you will be able to hunt effectively as a team by ambushing the creatures, flanking them or forcing them down paths loaded with traps. [JPN Import]

While it’s unfortunate that Freedom shipped without an online mode, the single-player campaign and multiplayer mode have enough content to produce more than 100 hours of gameplay. It’s one of the longest, most involved titles on the system.

There might not be any online multiplayer, but Freedom makes sure that the player never runs out of things to do. And where else can you find cats who cook for you?

Its sharp visuals, lengthy quests and interesting concepts make this a delightful romp well worth taking if you like hunting and action.