Monster Hunter Freedom

Monster Hunter Freedom is an action role-playing game for the PlayStation Portable. It is a handheld re-mastered version of the first two games in the Monster Hunter series and it is based mostly on Monster Hunter G. The game's aim is to complete quests given by various people in the goal of attaining higher and more prestigious hunting ranks. However, this game contains many changes in order to allow playing through most quests alone. It was criticized for its unusually long loading-screens and its slow pacing, both of which have been improved in the sequel. Its Japanese counterpart is called Monster Hunter Portable (モンスターハンターポータブル, Monsutā Hantā Pōtaburu)

Monster Hunter Freedom
Developer(s)	Capcom Production Studio 1
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Director(s)	Yasunori Ichinose
Producer(s)	Tsuyoshi Tanaka
Designer(s)	Katsuhiro Eguchi Yuji Matsumoto Kennsuke Imamura Yōichirō Ikeda Shintaro Kojima Eri Sawada Goro Terada
Composer(s)	Masato Kohda Yuko Komiyama Akihiko Narita
Series	Monster Hunter
Platform(s)	PlayStation Portable
Release	JP: December 1, 2005 EU: May 12, 2006 NA: May 23, 2006 AU: May 26, 2006 KOR: September 21, 2006
Genre(s)	Action role-playing game
Mode(s)	Ad Hoc Multiplayer, Online Infrastructure Online Download (Japan Only)

Gameplay

Just like its predecessors, Monster Hunter and Monster Hunter G, this game revolves around the player completing quests and gathering materials to upgrade their equipment in order to advance. The more rare the items and equipment, the stronger the main physical aspects of the character will be. Unlike other hack 'n' slash games, this game requires planning and skill in order to overcome large monsters instead of brute force. There are many weapons which the hunter can use to bring down the monsters, these are Sword and Shield, Great Swords, Dual Blades, Hammers, Lances, Light Bowguns and Heavy Bowguns. Each requires a variety of items to create which are acquired by completing quests, and collecting the spoils carved from monsters or found on the ground.

Singleplayer

In this mode the player can do village elder quests, and enter the Offline Gathering Hall to do guild quests by themselves, and buy items to aid in the completion of the quest. The player can also tend to a farm to harvest useful items.

Multiplayer

If players enter the Online Gathering Hall they can go on quests with other players via the PSP's adhoc. They can exchange guild cards which keep track of the characters stats. They can also go on treasure hunting quests. While the characters are waiting for others to join their quests there is a table they can sit at. While sitting at the table, you can push the different directions on the directional arrows to perform various animations such as swinging their beer mug, or passing out from drunkenness. Players can also use third party software to connect with other players over the internet to play with each other wirelessly.

Classes

Hunter Ranks

There are a number of Hunter ranks, given numerical values from HR1 to HR5. As the player's Hunter rank increases, they will get access to more difficult monsters, and in turn more and better items and weapons.

G-Rank

G-Rank is a new addition to Monster Hunter Freedom. These quests are taken straight from Monster Hunter G, which was unreleased in the U.S and Europe, and present a much more difficult challenge for hunters. In return for this, hunters receive better rewards for completing the quest as well as access to some of the stronger variations of previously encountered monsters, known as "sub-species". There are also certain monsters that can only be encountered in this particular rank.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score Aggregator Score Metacritic 71/100[1] Review scores Publication Score EGM 7/10[2] Eurogamer 6/10[3] Famitsu 34/40[4] Game Informer 4/10[5] GamePro 3.75/5[6] GameRevolution D+[7] GameSpot 6.5/10[8] GameSpy [9] GameTrailers 4.8/10[10] GameZone 7.6/10[11] IGN 7.7/10[12] OPM (US) [13] Detroit Free Press [14] The Sydney Morning Herald [15]

The game received "average reviews" according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[1] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of two nines and two eights, for a total of 34 out of 40.[4]

References

1. "Monster Hunter Freedom for PSP Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
2. EGM staff (June 2006). "Monster Hunter Freedom". Electronic Gaming Monthly (204): 118.
3. Whitehead, Dan (May 8, 2006). "Monster Hunter Freedom". Eurogamer. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
4. Gantayat, Anoop (December 7, 2005). "Now Playing in Japan (Page 3)". IGN. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
5. "Monster Hunter Freedom". Game Informer (158): 119. June 2006.
6. Tenacious Moses (May 31, 2006). "Review: Monster Hunter Freedom". GamePro. Archived from the original on June 3, 2006. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
7. Reilly, Mike (June 5, 2006). "Monster Hunter: Freedom Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
8. Davis, Ryan (May 23, 2006). "Monster Hunter Freedom Review". GameSpot. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
9. Speer, Justin (May 31, 2006). "GameSpy: Monster Hunter Freedom". GameSpy. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
10. "Monster Hunter Freedom Review". GameTrailers. June 18, 2006. Archived from the original on August 7, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
11. Valentino, Nick (June 4, 2006). "Monster Hunter Freedom - PSP - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
12. Castro, Juan (May 30, 2006). "Monster Hunter Freedom". IGN. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
13. "Monster Hunter Freedom". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 100. June 2006.
14. Huschka, Ryan (July 21, 2006). "Monster Hunter Freedom". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
15. Hill, Jason (July 14, 2006). "Monster Hunter Freedom". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved December 25, 2015.

External links

• Official Monster Hunter website
• Monster Hunter Freedom at MobyGames