Amazing game only downfall is it's menu and joining friends is a bit hard but once you work it out its top-notch

Monster Hunter World is the first game in the Monster Hunter series that I've played, but it isn't the first game that I've owned. Having heard good things about the series, I've purchased a couple of the previous titles when I've seen them on sale, but for one reason or another (often boiling down...

Positives + Huge; believable world + Massive amount of depth + Well-tailored to veterans and newcomers + Three video options for Pro users

Negatives; Feels a little too artificial at times; HDR is broken

Monster Hunter has always been one of those franchises that have really stood on the precipice of becoming a hit in the West. While the series has performed well in its native Japan since its inception, certain aspects have prevented it from being a smash in other territories.

A major upgrade over previous entries in almost every aspect; Satisfying and complex combat system; 100+ hours of content; Palicos

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Monster Hunter: World is the latest title in the long-running Monster Hunter franchise and is the first mainline title to hit non-Nintendo consoles since Monster Hunter Freedom Unite on the PSP in 2008.

Most accessible iteration of the franchise yet; Tight; addicting gameplay; Visually impressive

Still a deep learning curve; Overwhelming amount of information

Monster Hunter World offers enough improvements keep veterans happy while being accessible to newcomers. This time the world feels alive and you can choose what you want to do alone or with a friend, without limits.

Auto-crafting; Gorgeous environments; Monster turf wars; Monster AI; Co-op multiplayer incorporated throughout the game

Watching the cutscenes before jumping into co-op on story quests

Pain in the Jagras.

Magnificent ecosystems; Monsters are beautifully designed; Completion of quests is satisfying

Systems are complex and not always explained well; A lot to learn; Battles can last far too long

While its weighty combat (often erroneously labelled 'clumsy'... it's anything but, once you know what you're doing) means it still may not appeal to...

Packed with incredible encounters; Open environments work brilliantly; Quality-of-life improvements everywhere

Online systems still a little clunky; Relatively low monster count; Likely to devour all your time

Invest a little, though, and you'll get an awful lot back. The truth of Monster Hunter - and arguably its greatest strength - is that you're never truly its master, and that every player, be they novice or veteran, is always learning something new.

You are part of the Fifth Fleet, traversing the seas and heading to the New World as you track the crossing of an Elder Dragon. Sent by the Research Commission to find out exactly what takes place when these huge, destructive beings make their trek every decade, it's up to you to make the journey...

The latest game in the Monster Hunter franchise brings the core elements that have made the franchise a cult classic – difficult battles, fun and interesting progression, and stomping on dinosaurs with your friends – and opens the door for a deluge of new players with a more accessible sheen.