http://psp.ign.com/articles/996/996630p1.html
Closing Comments
There are few flaws. It's incredibly addictive, sure, but that's not a bug; it's a feature. Likewise, you can't save, or even pause the action mid-mission. Thus the stakes are raised, and the experience heightened. Each new challenge is maddening at first, and a cakewalk in hindsight — and each hunt is a thrill. Yet Australian gamers may hit a snag in enjoying this game to the full. The problem is multiplayer. Make no mistake, this is how the game was meant to be played. Missions that are engrossing solo become sublime as a team effort, and on the technical side, Ad-Hoc wireless games of up to four hunters run like a dream. It's in these sessions that genuine tactics emerge, with melee specialists distracting wyverns while hunters with bowguns pick off body parts at a distance. If a team of four were to, say, each attack a different leg on a dragon, it becomes that much easier to bring its huge bulk down and score some damaging blows on its noggin. As a team, you can face greater risks, and net greater rewards — and because it's a social game at heart, these matches are also a chance to show off all your ultra-rare gear. But that's if you can find someone to play it with. One Japanese PSP owner in five plays Monster Hunter, making for a critical mass of addicts. Alas, here in the west the series is a niche product. Granted, this may change. Capcom is making a big marketing push, and this is easily the biggest, most advanced, and most engrossing game in the series to date. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite deserves to reach a wider audience. But then, so did Ico, and Shadow of the Colossus, and Psychonauts...
| Rating | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| out of 10 | click here for ratings guide |
|
| 9.0 | Presentation Evokes a bygone time of high adventure; part Conan, part Jurassic Park. |
|
| 9.5 | Graphics The forests are lush, the deserts are blistering, the monsters are freakish, and the armour designs are absolutely fabulous. |
|
| 9.5 | Sound Varies between gripping orchestral and rambling, nostalgic folk. Hilarious FX. |
|
| 9.5 | Gameplay The difficulty level is harsh, but fair. Each weapon class handles very differently; there's a playing style in here for everyone. |
|
| 10 | Lasting Appeal With addictive gameplay spread over 400 missions, this is a real 'desert island' game. |
|
| 9.5 |
OVERALL (out of 10 / not an average) |
 |
I certainly wasn't expecting that high of a score, specially for a series that has never been very well received in the west, it's really surprising. Also, if he compared it in quality to ICO and SotC it better be good
