Why is Monster Hunter so big in Japan, but not so in United States?

Is it the lack of online or camera controls? What the biggest gripe?

How well do you think Monster Hunter Freedom 3 will do?

It's not CoD.

I guess it's why Call of Duty isn't as big in Japan as it is in America. Different tastes. SilverChimera

I don't think America is allergic to fantasy RPG's the same away Japan is to FPS :P

first off, PSP is big in Japan.

second, alot (and i mean, a TON) of people commute in Japan, that's why handhelds are big there.

third, Monster Hunter = co-op game. it's always meant to be played that way. and so ad-hoc or online, peopel in Japan play Monster Hunter with friends. even with strangers.

fourth, Sony has set up tons of hotspots in Japan so you can access the internet on your PSP almost anywhere. yes, even in cafes. also, internet in Japan is at least 3 times faster than the US. they're paying $40 or less for a 100Mbps connection. here you only get around 15Mbps with that price. big difference.

Same reason why Halo and COD aren't popular in japan.

Monster Hunter is a RPG game that is 70% skill and 30% item management.

Most people in the US seem to be used to 30% skill and 70% item management in their RPG's (yes, Monster Hunter is a lot like an Action/RPG). Seems that most RPG players feel that if the game isn't winning for you after sinking X amount of time into it, it must obviously suck.

Monster Hunter is a RPG game that is 70% skill and 30% item management.

Most people in the US seem to be used to 30% skill and 70% item management in their RPG's (yes, Monster Hunter is a lot like an Action/RPG).xYamatox

cuz they have totally different tastes

have you seen their best selling charts? very different from the US alot of goofy soundingstuff i never even heard of

People in the US prefer first person shooters

Monster Hunter is a RPG game that is 70% skill and 30% item management.

Most people in the US seem to be used to 30% skill and 70% item management in their RPG's (yes, Monster Hunter is a lot like an Action/RPG). Seems that most RPG players feel that if the game isn't winning for you after sinking X amount of time into it, it must obviously suck.

xYamatox

Um, you just described Monster Hunter in that second paragraph. Either you are bringing food, drinks, and potions for your neverending battles of attrition, or you are trying to collect X items to get your new piece of armor or weapon. The extent of Monster Hunter's "skill" is learning X pattern, oh and remember to land that paintball so you are not running around for hours.

Because it doesn't have guns, Russians or terrorists in it.

Because it doesn't have guns, Russians or terrorists in it.

Desulated

This... which can be summed up with this:

because it's not an FPSeboyishere

Because the Japanese love grinding.DJ_Lae

[QUOTE="DJ_Lae"]Because the Japanese love grinding.thom_maytees

It's not CoD.

Locutus_Picard

Cmon man seriously. It seems like a cool game.

[QUOTE="xYamatox"]

Monster Hunter is a RPG game that is 70% skill and 30% item management.

Most people in the US seem to be used to 30% skill and 70% item management in their RPG's (yes, Monster Hunter is a lot like an Action/RPG). Seems that most RPG players feel that if the game isn't winning for you after sinking X amount of time into it, it must obviously suck.

Redmoonxl2

Um, you just described Monster Hunter in that second paragraph. Either you are bringing food, drinks, and potions for your neverending battles of attrition, or you are trying to collect X items to get your new piece of armor or weapon. The extent of Monster Hunter's "skill" is learning X pattern, oh and remember to land that paintball so you are not running around for hours.

Potions, traps, and etc are SUPPORT items, and are in no way needed to kill a monster (sure they help, but it isn't nessisary by any means). As far as armor is concerned (weapons I would understand based on how far into end-game you are), it's not too huge of a deal. I played through 90% of Monster Hunter Tri with only the Hunter Armor equipped, and did so perfectly fine, as opposed to some players I have personally seen grind their way to getting full Alatreon Armor/Weapons, and still manage to 3 cart in basic hunts because they didn't bring their shock traps/extra potions with them.

Knowing enemy patterns, guaging WHEN to attack and when to avoid attacks is much more important than making sure you have full Los Armor or traps to make up for a players lack of skill in the game.

first off, PSP is big in Japan.

second, alot (and i mean, a TON) of people commute in Japan, that's why handhelds are big there.

third, Monster Hunter = co-op game. it's always meant to be played that way. and so ad-hoc or online, peopel in Japan play Monster Hunter with friends. even with strangers.

fourth, Sony has set up tons of hotspots in Japan so you can access the internet on your PSP almost anywhere. yes, even in cafes. also, internet in Japan is at least 3 times faster than the US. they're paying $40 or less for a 100Mbps connection. here you only get around 15Mbps with that price. big difference.

rawr89

Thats a wise post.

[QUOTE="Locutus_Picard"]

It's not CoD.

Coolyfett

Cmon man seriously. It seems like a cool game.

because the Japanese gamer and gaming industry is completely xenophobic to anything that is not made in Japan.

I tried the game that came out on the Wii, and I honestly don't get it. It was ugly, boring, and had bad controls. The game world was unappealing as well. I gave it a chance, but yeah, I do not understand the following this series gets.RandoIph

why is starcraft so popular in korea...Its 13 years old and is still played fanatically...

because the Japanese gamer and gaming industry is completely xenophobic to anything that is not made in Japan.

NanoMan88

[QUOTE="NanoMan88"]

because the Japanese gamer and gaming industry is completely xenophobic to anything that is not made in Japan.

thom_maytees

[QUOTE="RandoIph"]I tried the game that came out on the Wii, and I honestly don't get it. It was ugly, boring, and had bad controls. The game world was unappealing as well. I gave it a chance, but yeah, I do not understand the following this series gets.thom_maytees

[QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"]

[QUOTE="xYamatox"]

Monster Hunter is a RPG game that is 70% skill and 30% item management.

Most people in the US seem to be used to 30% skill and 70% item management in their RPG's (yes, Monster Hunter is a lot like an Action/RPG). Seems that most RPG players feel that if the game isn't winning for you after sinking X amount of time into it, it must obviously suck.

xYamatox

Um, you just described Monster Hunter in that second paragraph. Either you are bringing food, drinks, and potions for your neverending battles of attrition, or you are trying to collect X items to get your new piece of armor or weapon. The extent of Monster Hunter's "skill" is learning X pattern, oh and remember to land that paintball so you are not running around for hours.

Potions, traps, and etc are SUPPORT items, and are in no way needed to kill a monster (sure they help, but it isn't nessisary by any means). As far as armor is concerned (weapons I would understand based on how far into end-game you are), it's not too huge of a deal. I played through 90% of Monster Hunter Tri with only the Hunter Armor equipped, and did so perfectly fine, as opposed to some players I have personally seen grind their way to getting full Alatreon Armor/Weapons, and still manage to 3 cart in basic hunts because they didn't bring their shock traps/extra potions with them.

Knowing enemy patterns, guaging WHEN to attack and when to avoid attacks is much more important than making sure you have full Los Armor or traps to make up for a players lack of skill in the game.

To the bolded parts, no, no, and hell no...Unless you are a leech. You are probably a leech, then. Grants on taking advantage of other people's work.

To everything else, no, the game is still an items game. I've got 3 boxes full of crap in my chest to prove it from when I last played, many of which are items needed to kill monsters faster. You know, min-maxing. You'd know that if you weren't leeching.

[QUOTE="NanoMan88"]

because the Japanese gamer and gaming industry is completely xenophobic to anything that is not made in Japan.

thom_maytees

[QUOTE="xYamatox"]

[QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"]

Um, you just described Monster Hunter in that second paragraph. Either you are bringing food, drinks, and potions for your neverending battles of attrition, or you are trying to collect X items to get your new piece of armor or weapon. The extent of Monster Hunter's "skill" is learning X pattern, oh and remember to land that paintball so you are not running around for hours.

Redmoonxl2

Potions, traps, and etc are SUPPORT items, and are in no way needed to kill a monster (sure they help, but it isn't nessisary by any means). As far as armor is concerned (weapons I would understand based on how far into end-game you are), it's not too huge of a deal. I played through 90% of Monster Hunter Tri with only the Hunter Armor equipped, and did so perfectly fine, as opposed to some players I have personally seen grind their way to getting full Alatreon Armor/Weapons, and still manage to 3 cart in basic hunts because they didn't bring their shock traps/extra potions with them.

Knowing enemy patterns, guaging WHEN to attack and when to avoid attacks is much more important than making sure you have full Los Armor or traps to make up for a players lack of skill in the game.

To the bolded parts, no, no, and hell no...Unless you are a leech. You are probably a leech, then. Grants on taking advantage of other people's work.

To everything else, no, the game is still an items game. I've got 3 boxes full of crap in my chest to prove it from when I last played, many of which are items needed to kill monsters faster. You know, min-maxing. You'd know that if you weren't leeching.

[QUOTE="DJ_Lae"]Because the Japanese love grinding.thom_maytees

The West doesn't like shooting games?

News to me.

[QUOTE="NanoMan88"]

because the Japanese gamer and gaming industry is completely xenophobic to anything that is not made in Japan.

thom_maytees

Criticisms of commercial art =/= xenophobia.

[QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"]

[QUOTE="xYamatox"]

Potions, traps, and etc are SUPPORT items, and are in no way needed to kill a monster (sure they help, but it isn't nessisary by any means). As far as armor is concerned (weapons I would understand based on how far into end-game you are), it's not too huge of a deal. I played through 90% of Monster Hunter Tri with only the Hunter Armor equipped, and did so perfectly fine, as opposed to some players I have personally seen grind their way to getting full Alatreon Armor/Weapons, and still manage to 3 cart in basic hunts because they didn't bring their shock traps/extra potions with them.

Knowing enemy patterns, guaging WHEN to attack and when to avoid attacks is much more important than making sure you have full Los Armor or traps to make up for a players lack of skill in the game.

Locutus_Picard

To the bolded parts, no, no, and hell no...Unless you are a leech. You are probably a leech, then. Grants on taking advantage of other people's work.

To everything else, no, the game is still an items game. I've got 3 boxes full of crap in my chest to prove it from when I last played, many of which are items needed to kill monsters faster. You know, min-maxing. You'd know that if you weren't leeching.

I like anecdotal evidence. Tell me more of your tales so I can believe bottom tier armor can be used throughout the game.

[QUOTE="xYamatox"]

[QUOTE="Redmoonxl2"]

Um, you just described Monster Hunter in that second paragraph. Either you are bringing food, drinks, and potions for your neverending battles of attrition, or you are trying to collect X items to get your new piece of armor or weapon. The extent of Monster Hunter's "skill" is learning X pattern, oh and remember to land that paintball so you are not running around for hours.

Redmoonxl2

Potions, traps, and etc are SUPPORT items, and are in no way needed to kill a monster (sure they help, but it isn't nessisary by any means). As far as armor is concerned (weapons I would understand based on how far into end-game you are), it's not too huge of a deal. I played through 90% of Monster Hunter Tri with only the Hunter Armor equipped, and did so perfectly fine, as opposed to some players I have personally seen grind their way to getting full Alatreon Armor/Weapons, and still manage to 3 cart in basic hunts because they didn't bring their shock traps/extra potions with them.

Knowing enemy patterns, guaging WHEN to attack and when to avoid attacks is much more important than making sure you have full Los Armor or traps to make up for a players lack of skill in the game.

To the bolded parts, no, no, and hell no...Unless you are a leech. You are probably a leech, then. Grants on taking advantage of other people's work.

To everything else, no, the game is still an items game. I've got 3 boxes full of crap in my chest to prove it from when I last played, many of which are items needed to kill monsters faster. You know, min-maxing. You'd know that if you weren't leeching.

Solo'd a High-Ranked Diablos online in only Hunter Armor set. Just because you can't do it, doesn't mean there aren't people who can.

Min-Maxing isn't needed in order to be proficiant in hunts. You may call someone who doesn't carry excess items on them leeches, but I call those players skilled. Why someone needs 10 Normal/Max potions, Food, Shock Traps, Pitfall Traps, Tranqs, Bombs, etc it beyond me when my Greatsword alone can get the job done just as fast so long as I know when to attack and avoid being hit.

In all honesty, the only items I usually bring with me are 10 normal potions (in case I really f-up for some reason), and Steaks to make sure I can evade attacks when I need to, and Hot/Cold Drinks depending on the terrain. Everything else is just fluff there to help players who need a slight edge to overcome a monster.

why is starcraft so popular in korea...Its 13 years old and is still played fanatically...

WilliamRLBaker

This is a question that I still have yet to find an answer for. :lol:

its simiilar to the Gotta Catch'em All mentality... which we all know is BIG in Japan!

Its a very grindy non story based game...a game that loses are small attention spans usually fails...Its fun but it gets old fast IMO. japanese people can sit there for hours and just play and play and play and play...why do you think they are the best at street fighter?

well i think IN GENERAL japanese people like more slower pace games then americans.

Solo'd a High-Ranked Diablos online in only Hunter Armor set. Just because you can't do it, doesn't mean there aren't people who can.

Min-Maxing isn't needed in order to be proficiant in hunts. You may call someone who doesn't carry excess items on them leeches, but I call those players skilled. Why someone needs 10 Normal/Max potions, Food, Shock Traps, Pitfall Traps, Tranqs, Bombs, etc it beyond me when my Greatsword alone can get the job done just as fast so long as I know when to attack and avoid being hit.

In all honesty, the only items I usually bring with me are 10 normal potions (in case I really f-up for some reason), and Steaks to make sure I can evade attacks when I need to, and Hot/Cold Drinks depending on the terrain. Everything else is just fluff there to help players who need a slight edge to overcome a monster.

xYamatox

I can take Alatreon with an iron sword and Leather Armor, no potions, no food, not even help! Took him on solo. Prove me wrong. :|

If you are in a group with the items taking on monsters without said items, yeah, you are a leech. Sticking by that.

Either way, the game is about kill monsters for items, using those items to create other items, and using items to aid in getting items. The game design is item management personified. Not acknowledging it is akin to saying that since I can ignore resource collecting in an RTS, its suddenly an action game.

Then why is WoW the most popular game in the US? Clearly Monster Hunter is doing something wrong to not appeal to the masses.percech

From what Coolyfett has read its the online aspect of the game. Ad hoc is not really online.