Release is set for 2025
The trailer showed up on youtube after I made this initial post: https://youtu.be/jQdFe0Wiugw?si=3U1Dt3JgMSWysiOe
I guess it’s to do with gaming trends’ evolution over the past decade or so where realistic graphics are preferred over good gameplay. Not that the gameplay of World was bad - it actually did bring a lot of net positives for franchise that have been carried over to Rise as well - but it is rather clear that World is more so catered towards new players who have never played any MH game prior and would feel turned off by MH’s inherent colourfulness and quirkiness.
Compared to MHGU, for example, that is essentially the MH game in my books and a celebration of over a decade of MH, its style, and aesthetic, World just feels kind of bland and maybe even generic to some extent.
I’m not saying don’t evolve in the slightest and leave things be as they are - 4U and Gen have brought a lot of concepts to the table that are mainstays of the franchise now - but just don’t lose your roots and upcoming, if that makes sense.
I mean, I’m not going to pretend I wont buy Wilds and give it a shot. I’m a hopeless addict after all (trying another Niantic game proves this). I just felt seemingly exactly like you where World was lacking the charm I came to expect. I still remember having an oh shit moment during that first MHW gameplay trailer with Anja. Rock effects instead of blood and this boring, milquetoast-ass straight up plain old T-Rex wannabe. Turned out to be more than that, but that was the first moment I didn’t feel like I was seeing “real MonHun.”
But RiseBreak knocked it out of the park for me. I feel comfortable calling it my favorite title now (as I make my way through the past with emulation). It was a perfect blend of old and new. And a direct evolution of MHGU mechanic cooking from the portable team.
I hold no only a small grudge against the 5th fleeters. I’m happy for the series’ success. I’m just hoping for a modern remaster of old titles now more than ever and that the portable team keeps doing portable team things.
