Monster Hunter Freedom 2 Review

Platform: PSP
Rating:Teen
Genre: Action/RPG
Number of Players: 1 (up to 4 can co-op via ad hoc connection)
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: JPN: 02-22-2007 – US: 08-28-2007
OfficialWebsite
Writer: Natsuki

Rating : 9.0
Buy

Ever wished you could take an MMORPG style game along with you in your pocket? If so, then Monster Hunter Freedom 2 is the game for you!

Graphics:
This is simply a gorgeous game with crisp, realistic graphics. Every nook and cranny of the armor, weapons, and maps is extremely detailed and immersive. The weather elements especially are quite impressive, with snow gusts, rain storms, and even a gentle breeze making you feel as if you’re right there in the game. Monster Hunter also has some of the best character customization options ever. After you’ve chosen your name, face, hair style, skin tone, and voice style, you could spend all day selecting the right hue for your hair color! There are literally a million different shades your hair could be; any color of the rainbow in any shade and hue! Unlike most games, you can also change your hair color and style at any time! You might forget about this, however, because you’ll want to be wearing one of the dozens of awesome helms available in the game to go with your wicked cool armor.

Controls:
The controls are fairly intuitive, as long as you’re already familiar with the PSP. The start button brings up your main menu. The analog joystick is used to walk, holding R allows you to run. You’ll dodge, use items, attack, and create combos with the right hand buttons. Out in a map, holding left or right on the directional pad will allow you to navigate your items shortcut using the circle and square buttons. The directional pad is also used to manipulate the camera. My only issue with the controls was that it can be tricky to move the camera around during the heat of battle. However, if you need to center the camera to look directly in front, you can simply tap the L button.

Sounds:
While the music at home base and on the farm is pleasant, it can get repetitive if you’re spending a lot of time there. The various background music applied to maps, and even each individual area on a given map, more than make up for this. The music in these areas is not overpowering at all, but do well their job of drawing you in. For example, the music in the caves of the swamp area has a quiet but eerie feel to it, you’ll feel a little anxious walking through before you even realize their’s music playing. The battle, weapon, and monster sounds and music are perfectly cued and will change throughout an encounter making them quite useful during game play. The menu sounds are also charming and add to the overall mood.

Flow:
All areas of the game mesh quite well, rather than flowing this game has a more episodic feel with training and quests allowing you to work through areas and level up at your own pace, and taking on level appropriate quests in whatever order you desire. There are “village quests” for the single player, and also “gathering hall” quests that can either be attempted singularly, or with up to 3 additional friends via ad hoc connection. You’ll also be able to go on fun gathering side quests in search for special treasures, which will appear on your guild card as awards.

Fun Factor:
If you love the Action / RPG genre, or if you’ve always wanted the feel of an MMO in the palm of your hand, you’ll adore this game. It’s everything I love about an MMOs, like WoW, except compact and more personal. I would not be surprised if it actually did become an MMO in the future! Not only is the battling great, being challenging and skill based, but they also added just the right touch of humor, and yes, even cuteness! You have a team of cats (called Felynes) that help you tend to your farm, and who will cook you buffing meals before each quest. You’ll also get a piglet pet that can boost your rewards by downloading the piglet extra via wifi connection. Don’t be fooled by all of the cuteness though, there are also wild felynes in the wilderness that will try to pick-pocket you, or even blow you up!

Female Aspect:
Your main character can be either male or female. When customizing a character the females have the same number of options as the male characters, if not BETTER options, hehe. While both genders can wear any armor set, there are also a couple female exclusive armor sets! Also, the “Felynes” and dress-upable pet piglet will no doubt be a plus for those who have a soft spot for all things cute

Replay Value:
Since this game has no “skilling up” to do, there’s no reason to make more than one character. You can easily switch between all of the weapons and armor sets, or even to a healing set for grouping purposes. However, the solo and group training is very difficult, but a must if you intend to earn the items required to make some of the higher ranking armor sets in the game. If you group with other’s often, there’s even more to do. You will be busy with this game for a long time. If you’ve found all of the treasures, and received all of your farming and questing awards you can start hunting down the biggest and smallest of the monsters to gain gold crowns on your guild card. If you end up completing and unlocking everything, or just REALLY need more, there will be an expansion to the game!! There’s no news yet if this will be coming to the states, but in Japan it’s known as Monster Hunter Portable 2G. There will be new weapons, armor, quests, AND you’ll be able to get a Felyne companion who will fight along side you.