Image: Capcom
Capcom and Niantic have partnered to announce Monster Hunter Now, a new AR game that could potentially rival the success of Pokémon Go.
Unlike previous Monster Hunter titles in which you control characters through a virtual environment with a controller, Monster Hunter Now is an augmented reality game developed by Niantic which requires active monster hunting in the real world, similar to Pokémon Go.
Players will hunt down fierce creatures like Rathalos, Pukei-Pukei, and others in epic battles.
Hunting Like Pokémon Go
Although the announcement may excite Monster Hunter fans, the addition of an AR component also raises concerns. While hunting monsters and engaging in epic battles might sound appealing, Niantic’s battle system in Pokémon Go is vastly different from Monster Hunter’s traditional gameplay.
The teaser trailer for Monster Hunter Now, however, leads fans to speculate that the gameplay experience may be more similar to the original. In the trailer, players are depicted attacking giant lizards with swords and crossbows, as well as launching high-flying aerial assaults.
Development on the project began in March 2019, and Capcom’s series producer, Ryozo Tsujimoto, immediately expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Niantic. In an interview, he said, “I can still remember when Niantic told me about this project, I immediately said ‘Let’s do it’ without giving it a second thought.”
Release Date and Closed Beta
Monster Hunter Now will be available for Android and iOS devices in September 2023, with the closed beta set to launch on April 25th. Registration for the closed beta is currently open on the official Monster Hunter Now website.
Niantic has launched several new AR games in recent months, aimed at replicating the success of Pokémon Go. However, titles like Pikmin Bloom and NBA All World fell far short of Niantic’s flagship game. The Harry Potter game, Wizards Unite, also failed to achieve the same level of success.
Aside from Monster Hunter Now, Niantic has another promising game in development called Peridot. The game has players breed cuddly fantasy creatures and is scheduled for release on May 9th, 2023.
Note: Links to online stores in articles can be affiliate links. Should you purchase through this link, MIXED will receive a commission from the provider, but it will not affect the price for you as the customer.
Monster Hunter Now versus Pokémon Go
Both Monster Hunter Now and Pokémon Go are mobile-based gaming experiences that utilize augmented reality. However, the games’ core gameplay experiences differ significantly.
- While Monster Hunter Now requires active monster hunting and fighting, Pokémon Go’s focus is more on exploration and catching creatures.
- A similar battle system between Monster Hunter Now and the traditional Monster Hunter games could increase the game’s appeal to loyal fans and make it easier for them to transition to the new style of play.
- However, the lack of right analog stick movement on smartphones may hinder the game’s combat experience.
Peridot After Monster Hunter
Despite the excitement surrounding Monster Hunter Now, Niantic has other highly anticipated games on the horizon, including Peridot. The game features adorable fantasy creatures that players can raise and evolve.
- Peridot’s gameplay may bear more in common with games like Pokémon and Digimon, but it will still utilize Niantic’s AR technology.
- The game’s concept of raising and evolving creatures could tap into the same audience who enjoy games like Tamagotchi and Nintendogs.
Editor Notes
The announcement of Monster Hunter Now has caused much excitement for fans of the Monster Hunter franchise and mobile gaming enthusiasts alike. Although capturing the same level of success as Pokémon Go will be a challenge, Monster Hunter Now and Peridot have tremendous potential to be the next great AR mobile experiences. Gamers can stay up to date with the latest developments at VR Game News.
Keywords: Monster Hunter Now, AR game, Pokémon Go, Niantic, Capcom.
Source link
