Having read the Gamespot review with utter contempt, the writer with an obvious grudge against MH deserves a good slap.
Graphics: 7/10
Replayability: 9/10
Learning Curve: Probably about 2 hours solid playing to establish a good mind for strategy, materials and the weapon of choice.
Pros:
- Plenty of enemies that vary in size and intensity to decimate
- Many weapons to choose from and upgrade
- Well planned out maps and different environments that will physically test the mettle of your character
- Realistic aspects of life: fishing for food and cooking meat, as well as combining ingredients to discover more items that will assist throughout
- Amazingly fun multiplayer mode, great to play with others, be it two or four people
*SEQUEL EXTRAS*
- More weapons that are easier to craft
- Data from previous Monster Hunter can be used to help your new game
- Lots of little nags have been rectified, items can be sold at the end of a quest, some camera angle fixes, Armor can be improved and a Decoration system (to power up your equipment) are included for the first time
- More environments, species and weapon classes to enjoy
- Downloadable bonus quests, items and info.
Cons:
- Camera angles can be a bit off
- Frustration is crippling when you consistently die fighting one really powerful monster
- Missions have become increasingly harder than Monster Hunter Freedom 1
Verdict:
Monster Hunter Freedom 2 has much more to offer than it's predecessor in terms of user-friendly aspects such as more supplies at the beginning and easier-to-build weapons and is still the infuriatingly addictive game we know and love. It's like I said before: the unskilled gamers who want a quick blast on a rudimentary hack 'n slash should stick to Dynasty Warriors and the like, those who crave a deeper pleasure and a longer more enriching tale that requires copious time and strategy: step up to the mark, the Wyverns await.