Monster Hunter Outlanders Successfully Translates the Hunts to Mobile | IGN Preview

Monster Hunter Outlanders is a mobile game developed by TiMi Studio Group and officially licensed by Capcom, aiming to blend the core Monster Hunter experience with free-to-play live service mechanics. Initially skeptical about a skill-based action game on mobile with live service elements, the reviewer found that Outlanders carefully balances these two formulas. The development team comprises dedicated Monster Hunter fans, with a focus on preserving the series' core combat feel, even bringing in composer Tadayoshi Makino. The game follows the familiar Monster Hunter loop: hunt monsters, craft gear from their parts, and hunt stronger foes. It incorporates quintessential Monster Hunter moments, alongside extensive customization and growth systems common in free-to-play RPGs. The open-world exploration, crafting, and progression systems are reminiscent of games like Wild Hearts and Genshin Impact. A significant challenge for the developers was balancing the Monster Hunter feel with the free-to-play mobile market, a balance they believe players have acknowledged. Monster Hunter Outlanders introduces gacha monetization, a new element to the Monster Hunter series. This includes "adventurers," unique playable characters that can be added to your party alongside your custom hunter. Other monetization will focus on purely cosmetic items like weapon skins, allowing for "fashion hunting" without premium currency. A third monetization aspect is "flexibility," though its exact meaning remains unclear, possibly involving purchasing items for progression. The developers aim for the game to be as free-to-play as possible, with non-spending players able to experience 100% of the core content. While gacha was not active during the closed beta, the reviewer anticipates earning SSR adventurers for free occasionally, though competitive players might have a different view. Playing different adventurers offers gameplay variety, adding to the already diverse weapon selection. The combat mechanics are nuanced and combo-focused, with small changes in weapon or character abilities significantly impacting gameplay. Controls have been simplified for mobile, with features like monsters glowing red before attacks to improve telegraphing on smaller screens, though these can be customized. The game ran reasonably well on a high-end iPhone, though demanding environments with multiple effects and character models caused occasional frame drops. The game begins with character customization and an introductory narrative before players land in a village and undergo further tutorials. Outlanders presents a complex system of mechanics, which, despite the reviewer's extensive Monster Hunter and gacha game experience, initially felt convoluted but eventually became engaging. The game streamlines the crafting and progression loop, allowing players to easily find materials needed for equipment and even directly start hunts for them. Exploration extends beyond just hunting, with discoverable watchtowers, mini-games, chests, NPCs, endemic life capture, and exploration-specific skill trees. Crafting camps and mobility equipment like Ballista are also present. Mini-games and events, like the Dance Night Party, offer enjoyable diversions, even when played solo. While the touchscreen controls can be challenging, especially for those new to mobile action games, a simplified control format called "adventure" is available. Controller support is confirmed as a highly requested feature, though the game is currently mobile-exclusive, disappointing the reviewer who hoped for potential PC or console releases. Multiplayer features like guild challenges, co-op hunts, and arena challenges are anticipated to be fun, especially with a coordinated team, potentially featuring distinct roles similar to those seen in Monster Hunter World's Behemoth hunt. Overall, Monster Hunter Outlanders offers a blend of story, exploration, events, and co-op play, making it worth considering for fans of Monster Hunter or free-to-play action RPGs. The game requires an investment to learn its many systems, but the rewarding nature of mastering complex mechanics is a hallmark of the Monster Hunter series. Playing with a community is recommended for a fuller experience.