Summary
Monster Hunter Nowis a mobile game spin-off that allows players to hunt monsters on the go as they go about their daily lives. Like other games in the franchise, it asks players to hunt down creatures and collect their parts to upgrade one’s current gear or build new pieces.MH Now’s gameplay loop is largely faithful to mainline games, though it is scaled down to bite-sized chunks. Hunts happen over a minute or two at most, and monsters are found by walking around, rewarding players for playing in short, intermittent bursts. While it’s already great,Monster Hunter Nowcould do even more to ingratiate itself with fans of the series by borrowing an important feature fromPokemon GO.
Pokemon GOlaunched in 2016 and has remained popular in the intervening years. The game has sustained a player base over such a long period of time by constantly providing events and other new content. In late 2020,Pokemon GOwas updated to work withPokemon Home. Since the introduction of that update, players cantransfer monsters fromPokemon GOto the Switch. This new feature meant that Pokemon trainers could useGOon their mobile devices to acquire creatures for mainline games, making it an important part of the larger ecosystem ofPokemontitles. Since the update, players of mainline games are now rewarded for playingPokemon GO, and vice versa.
Monster Hunter Wilds Should Integrate with MH Now
Monster Hunteris a growing franchise, andCapcom isn’t looking to make money withMH Now. Instead, the company’s priorities are building goodwill and creating an easy entry point for casual gamers and those who might be hesitant to spend a bunch of money on a mainline entry.Monster Hunter Now’s simpler take on the series' gameplay loop makes jumping into it very easy while still teaching players most of the basic concepts important to hunting. Because the main goal ofMH Nowis to get new players into the series, adding some form of integration with mainline games, similar toPokemon GO, could be a great way for Capcom to get its player base to check outMonster Hunter Wilds.
MH Now Integration Could Let Monster Hunter Wilds Players Grind on the Go
The reveal ofMonster Hunter Wilds' release windowis already a great excuse to check outNow, but Capcom could do a lot of interesting things by connecting the games. For example,MH Nowcould receive a new monster fromWildsearly to preview the game. Furthermore, integrating the games could allow players to transfer items they acquire inMH NowintoWilds, letting them grind for gear on the go. Letting players move items and gear between games would incentivize fans of the series to check out both and help make the grind inWildsmore approachable. This integration could also allow Capcom to jam a wider variety of gear into both games.
Monster Hunter Now Integration in Wilds Could Allow for More Gear
Armor is a big part ofMonster Hunter’s appeal. It not only protects the player; it can serve as a trophy for some ofMonster Hunter’s hardest hunts. Pieces from different sets can be mixed and matched to make one’s character look truly unique. Not all huntable creatures are included in every entry, but featuring integration betweenMonster Hunter NowandWildscould potentially allow players to transfer gear between them, introducing armor sets for creatures not found endemically in each game. This would allow for both games to have more armor sets without forcing Capcom to include hunts for every set of armor in both games.
By taking inspiration fromPokemon GO’s ability to connect toPokemon Home,Monster Hunter Nowcould make both itself andMonster Hunter Wildsbigger and more engaging games. Including this integration could allow for the convenient transfer of items or even make new armor available in each game. Rewarding players ofMonster Hunter Nowfor checking out mainline entries would also be in line with Capcom’s stated goal for the title. Whether or not the games are ever connected,Monster Hunter Nowis a great way for fans of the series to pass the time while waiting fornews aboutMH Wildsin 2024.
