Monster Hunter Online was an action MMO developed by Tencent Games and Capcom, based on the popular Monster Hunter series of action role-playing games. The game was released about 8 years ago and was only available in China. Despite its limited availability, the game gained a massive following among fans of the series and MMO enthusiasts alike.
The core gameplay of Monster Hunter Online revolved around hunting and battling monsters. Players could team up with other players online to hunt and capture monsters, craft weapons and armor, and explore the game's vast world. Unlike the console versions of Monster Hunter, Monster Hunter Online had a shared world, allowing players to encounter each other while exploring.
The game offered a variety of weapons and equipment to suit players' playstyles. Players could choose from a sword and shield, a great sword, long sword, hammer, bowgun, a bow and more. Players could also form parties with other players to take on the game's challenging monsters. Successful hunts rewarded players with resources such as monster parts, which could be used to craft new weapons and armor.
The game had a free-to-play model with optional in-game purchases. The game's monetization strategy relied heavily on its cash shop, which offered a variety of items that could be purchased with the game's premium currency or real money. The cash shop items included cosmetic items and consumables. Players could also exchange their in-game currency for the game's premium currency through the Exchange Center, allowing them to acquire cash shop items without spending real money.
Monster Hunter Online had a VIP system that provided additional benefits to players who spent real money in the game. VIP members received bonuses such as increased experience gain and reduced crafting times. However, the game also allowed players to enjoy the full experience without spending any money.
The game began with the character creation that allowed players to customize the appearance of their characters. Once players finalized their character creation, a cutscene would play and introduce them to their palico, a companion character that helps players out in the game. Players would then be led to a short combat tutorial before diving into the game's main quest line.
The game's movement mechanics involved a third-person perspective and the use of the WASD keys. Players could move the camera with the mouse and also attack with it. As a player progressed through the game, they could follow the quest line, keep hunting monsters, and crafting gear until they reached the end game.
Despite its popularity, Monster Hunter Online was eventually shut down on December 31, 2019, after several years of operation due to the expiration of the cooperation with the Japanese side. It was a sad moment for fans of the game who had invested so much time and effort into it.
In conclusion, Monster Hunter Online was an excellent addition to the Monster Hunter series, offering players a new way to experience the game's exciting monster-hunting gameplay in a shared world. It was a game that provided a unique and memorable experience for fans of the series and MMO enthusiasts alike. Although the game is no longer available, it remains a beloved and unforgettable chapter in the history of the Monster Hunter franchise.
