Monster Hunter Tri Review for Nintendo Wii

System: Wii	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Capcom	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Capcom	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Apr. 20, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-4	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

As far as the combat system is concerned, Monster Hunter Tri uses a very simple mechanic where you can build on simple weapons-based attacks. There are three different control schemes: a traditional button-based system, a right-stick combat system, and a motion controlled scheme.

Monster Hunter Tri screenshot

Although the motion controls sound the most intriguing, they just don't work. I don't even recommend trying them out, as the button mapping is awkward and swinging to attack gets old pretty quickly. Fortunately, there are two Classic Controller options, which allow you to chain together combos with the face buttons on your controller or use the right stick to fight. The only downside to the Classic Controller schemes is that you have to keep the Wii-mote close by, as you have to put it in "Pointer mode" in order to add monsters to your index. This Controller-Wii-mote shuffle feels awkward at best, and when you have a hungry monster charging towards you, it's difficult to juggle both controllers without losing half your life. Still, if you can manage this shuffle mechanic, both of the classic control schemes work very well.

The visuals in Monster Hunter Tri start off quite promising, with some pre-rendered cutscenes that featured stunning detail and fast-paced animations. However, the in-game visuals are a huge step down, and they barely resemble the pre-rendered scenes. Still, despite the huge step down, the world of Monster Hunter Tri is lush and vivid. Just don't expect too many monsters to render on-screen at once.

Monster Hunter Tri is an exhilarating game. There isn't another game on the Wii that can match it in both size and scope. Although there are still a few small issues holding this game back from perfection, if you are a fan of MMO-type games or RPGs in general, you owe it to yourself to check this one out. The single-player mode is great by itself, but the real reason to pick this game up is for the multiplayer. It is the best multiplayer available on the Wii, and it might even be the best console-based multiplayer RPG of this generation. Though the monster-based combat may not be for everyone, if you like sprawling, open-world RPGs with plenty of quests to undertake and lands to explore, Monster Hunter Tri is definitely for you.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.9

Graphics
Cutscenes are beautiful. In-game visuals are also nice, but large areas often feel empty due to limits on how many monsters can be rendered at a time.

3.8

Control
The Wii-mote and Nunchuk controls are virtually useless, but the Classic Controller offers a more organic alternative. However, putting the Classic Controller away and switching to the Wii-mote for identifying monsters feels awkward.

2.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Gibberish dialogue is repetitive, and background music is infrequent.

4.8

Play Value
Monster Hunter Tri is a game that really sucks you in. With a single-player mode that can last 30 hours or more and a multiplayer mode that has an endless amount of new areas to explore and quests to complete, if you pick this title up, you may not be able to put it down!

4.1

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

The ability to save your character to your Wii Remote lets you engage in multiplayer hunts anytime on a friend's console.

In the hunt, you're never alone. Hunt together with up to four players online or take on arena quests with two-player split-screen action. In single-player mode, you even have the ability to hunt with AI-controlled characters named ChaCha.

Monsters have unique and dynamic personalities, abilities, and defenses, increasing in complexity as the player progresses. They camouflage themselves to ambush hunters, but will flee or call for help if outmatched.

With ten weapon categories, including the all-new Switch Axe, and new armor and weaponry created from the remains of slain monsters, there are almost limitless opportunities for equipment customization.

Play with either the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, with the Classic Controller or Classic Controller Pro. And because communication is key in coordinated hunts, Monster Hunter Tri supports Wii Speak and text chat.