The biggest thing to hit Japan since Godzilla is coming to the US on the PSP very soon. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is what they're calling it here. I spent some quality time with the game at GDC this year and loved it, with the best part being the multiplayer action. Up to four people can team up to adventure together and take down monsters, and the required teamwork is what makes it so fun.
That teamwork is the focus of the new trailer you'll find after the jump. There's no game play footage here -- just story background and cutscenes set to some iffy voice over work. Well, iffy or funny. You pick.
We also have a bunch of new screenshots from Monster Hunter Freedom Unite in our gallery below.
I'm glad I took a chance and popped my Monster Hunter cherry. I'm looking forward to this. How about you?
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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After the pains I experienced with PSP connectivity, I won't touch another Monster Hunter until it hits a system that has a capable online infrastructure.
You know instead of the monsters just hanging around in their own little place just waiting to get killed, how about they program the monsters to group together and search for players to kill? Or how about they band together to invade the Hunters's towns? Or is that too much AI to script?
Yes, and it's not quite the same thing. MH's missions are all instanced, like in guild wars or PSO. It's MMO STYLE, but not in the same way that World of Warcraft or EVE online are.
I couldn't get that into the single player on PS2, but I'm giving Monster hunter another shot because I just picked up Freedom for $7...haven't played it yet, though
I bought the first one when it came out in the US ages ago. It's only fun when you play with other people but I never found anyone and just gave up on it. If they've improved on the singleplayer aspect a bit, I would like to get this then.
Adhoc party, takes 10 minutes to set up a japanese psn account, 10 seconds to dl and install adhoc party. All english players are on world J channel 50. Problem is right now there are tons of people who play the import version of this game there and I wonder how many of those people will get the english release, I don't assume very many unless they will be able to transfer their char's over. Oh and Phantasy Star portable is another great game for ad-hoc party.
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Contest:
11:20 AM on 05.01.2009 | 
They suppose to have Infrastructure play in this one, or am I going to need to find a way to get that Ad-Hoc party thing on my PS3?
Anyhow, trailer got me pumped for Unite, and Tri.
It's a fun game, but it's pretty difficult and slightly tedious trying to get parts from a specific monster for your equipment.
Yes, and it's not quite the same thing. MH's missions are all instanced, like in guild wars or PSO. It's MMO STYLE, but not in the same way that World of Warcraft or EVE online are.