Niantic Labs cracked the code for mobile augmented reality (AR) and location-based games when it releasedPokemon Goin 2016. The company hasn’t slowed down its innovations since. It recently announcedMonster Hunter Now, which will bring the legendary creatures of Capcom’s fantasy IP to parks and streets across the globe starting September 2023. Players can alsoto get an early glimpse of the gameplay. This new game showcases augmented reality monster battlesthatPokemon Gopopularized, but it also brings some fresh character customization features that the Nintendo title lacks.
Niantic’s games have rich customization features, likePikmin Bloom’s collectible system, which lets players gather and label decor pieces.Pokemon Go, on the other hand, gives players free rein over their trainer’s hair, face, and clothes. For these games and other Niantic titles, one has to buy or find items — a convention thatMonster Hunter Nowmay subvert.
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Monster Hunter Now Lets Players Create Armor and Weapons
The mainline Monster Hunter games are known for their extensive item crafting system, which lets players create the best armor sets and weapons for their playstyle. Niantic and Capcom may be bringing this feature toMonster Hunter Now, according to a recent press briefing. Niantic Tokyo’s senior producer, Sakae Osumi, said at the conference that players cansend their Palico out to find materialsfor weapon and armor crafting.
Crafting isn’t limited to armor and weapon creation, either. The developer also stated that players can also use materials to upgrade their existing gear, which adds more depth toMonster Hunter Now’s crafting system. Hunters can choose between making themselves incrementally stronger through upgrades, enjoying the rush of power spikes by crafting new and stronger items, or doing a bit of both.
Monster Hunter Now’s gameplay will be faster and more casual compared to its mainline counterparts, according to Capcom producer Ryozo Tsujimoto in the same press briefing. Its encounters will likely last around two minutes, compared toMonster Hunterbattleson PC and console, which can take up to half an hour to finish. The same casual approach may be applied to the game’s crafting as well, so hardcore players probably shouldn’t expect complex weapon trees when they approach Smithy inMonster Hunter Now.
Monster Hunter Now’s Crafting System Should Influence Character Customization for Niantic’s Other Titles
An existing Niantic game that could benefit from a crafting system isPokemon Go. Currently, players can only acquire Pokeballs by relying on lucky drops from gifts, research tasks, and gyms; spending real money in the store; or begging for Pokeballs from their friends. These methods aren’t as consistent and reliable as crafting one’s own Pokeballs from materials taken from battles or exploration.Pokeball crafting already exists inPokemon Legends: Arceus, a feature that was well-received by fans. It’s a tried and tested idea thatPokemon Gofans may welcome with open arms.
Niantic’s upcomingMarvel World of Heroes, a game thatlets players create their own superhero persona, could also benefit from aMonster Hunter-style crafting feature. Recent gameplay footage of the game suggests that players can create their own items, but they have to buy materials using in-game currency. It may be more rewarding to scavenge materials through exploration, quests, and battles instead.
Some people love crafting, as it gives them full control over their character’s growth. Others may find the feature tedious, as it takes a lot of time and effort to gather materials for item creation and upgrades. Either way, crafting could be a boon forMonster Hunter Now’s player base, especially for those who want to stay F2P, as it gives them the option to acquire and upgrade equipment without buying anything. As such, it may be a feature worth exploring for Niantic’s other titles and its future releases.
Monster Hunter Nowreleases on mobile devices in September 2023.
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