Capcom Brings Monster Hunter 3 Tri Exclusively to the Wii

To say that Monster Hunter Tri is big in Japan is something of an understatement. Without ever being officially available in the Western world before now, the hunter series has sold over 11 million units and given rise to elaborate events like the “Monster Hunter Festival” and the “Monster Hunter Summer Training Camps” where fans take on quests as teams, training for battle against terrifying bigger-than-life creatures. Bringing Monster Hunter 3 Tri exclusively to Western world Wii owners, Capcom introduces new features, new weapons, new environments (underwater), and a brand new story mode that lets players hunt on their own or with a friend in split screen mode on one machine or 4 players together at once over a Wi-Fi connection (with no charge for online play to boot!). Players can go on quests, controlling their characters using either the Wii controller and nunchuk or the classic Wii controller, depending on their preference.

I have to admit, when I first tried this game, I wasn’t too fond of the Wii controller and nunchuk configuration, as it left me flailing blindly at monsters that were suddenly behind me or at least nowhere near the direction I was facing. Of course, I’m used to playing my point-and-click RPG type games on a PC, so the console control scheme needed some getting used to. With the classic controller in my hands, facing my opponents and giving them the smackdown they were meant to receive at the and of my blade or bow became much more satisfying. I have a feeling I’m not alone. It’s no wonder that some retailers are offering the game with an official sexy black Wii Classic Controller Pro in-package.

Although I’m much more of a real time strategy gamer, I can understand the popularity of this epic quest and battle RPG. It’s easy to become immersed in the world, slicing through immensely powerful looking beasts with the incredibly huge weapons at my disposal. I lost more than a few hours hunting when I should have been writing this review. Just designing my character’s look in one of seemingly endless variations eliminated a good portion of my day. It’s more than just clicking through a static set of armors and color coordinated costume options. You can customize your skin tone, hair style and color, armor strength and design, even your underwear. In an expansive world of people (not just monsters), it’s important to stand out and look good among the rabble.

Speaking of looking good, this game has pushed the Wii graphics engine to it’s limits, possibly beyond. The many vibrant, detailed vistas can take your breath away when you’re not being run down by a many-toothed monstrosity the size of a 747. The detail and variety of creatures, each a product of their own environment, are a terrifying lot. It almost makes you want to stay back at Moga Village and hang out with the locals where it’s safe. Nah, not really, but even when you’re not out hunting monsters, there’s plenty to do, as you’d expect in any ambitious battle RPG. You can even farm or gather ingredients to cook meals that can unlock skills that can be used on your quests. There’s so much to do, I know I didn’t get close to accomplishing even a fraction of what’s available.

With gamers often claiming that most Nintendo Wii game developers have given up, seemingly satisfied to churn out shovelware, Monster Hunter 3 Tri is a big exception to that claim. I imagine more than a few PS3 and Xbox devotees might be a little jealous of this exclusive offering. I imagine more than a few might be willing to pony up the $150 to buy a Wii now that this worldwide (surprisingly non-Mario or Zelda-based) phenomenon has finally hit the shelves in the US. And they would be right to do so.