Tri is a magic number.
You wouldn't be saving a princess from a dragon.
You wouldn't be defending a city and ensuring survival.
You wouldn't be involved in some deep prophecy in which you are destined to be a hero.
You just get to make new, massive weapons out of their carcass.
That's only one of the things that make this video game so great; there is no real particular story to start the game and drive it to a finish. In addition, thankfully, it's also impossible to really drive this game to an end.
And why would anyone want to? Monster Hunter Tri is a massive, gorgeous, and ultimately fun experience, excelling on all levels as an adventure game. Specifically because there is so much to do, and the level of realism portrayed in the game really gives you the feeling that in fact, there is so much more to this title than simply a console video game.
You start off the game as a very simple person. As in any good RPG, it's much more fun to mold your character into someone unique, rather than to already be developed right off the bat. After customizing features like face, skin colour and hair, you will be thrusted into a city, only given two weapons (sword/shield and greatsword) to start off your adventure, which can be switched between in the treasure chest at your house. It's all you're going to need, and it is crucial to start off so clueless and unequipped in the game, as later you will be exposed to the most interesting and undeniably vital system to the game; the crafting system.
Of course, weapons can also be bought, though they're only useful for the start of the game, and wanting to try out a new type of weapon before going out to craft it. There is no leveling system in the game; it doesn't need one. All the stat changing you need is done by equipment thanks to the crafting system, which is actually better, considering can always take back a useless weapon and use it against bosses for an extra challenge. This way, the game never fully reaches a limit to just how far in the game you will be allowed to play before all monsters become to weak to fight.
The game will first introduce fetch quests. As dull as that sounds, Monster Hunter Tri makes the fetch system not only necessary later in the game, but engaging and satisfying. Nearly everything you find in the game will contribute to the creation of better weapons as well as new armour and even upgrading items, like potions or bullets (yes, bullets) for your bowgun, which undoubtedly everyone will consider giving a shot at (get it? "shot?" Ahahaha... nevermind) later in the game. Keep the that the Wii pointer will not be used for aiming, which makes the game stick closer to the original versions, and please fans of the bowgun of prior games.
Of course, fetch missions will evolve into hunt missions very, very soon in the game, although at first it will consider hunting fairly small and defenseless animals. Despite this, they are very smart AI, and will attack in groups, and reconsider strategy depending on the situation. The behavior is incredibly realistic, almost making the animals seem truly alive, down to the battle cry. They even have the knowledge to hunt for food when hungry, which gives you the ability to actually bait them. To make things more interesting, they're smart enough not to fall for the same trick every time.
In the battle sequences, you will focus mainly on drawing and resheathing your weapons at the right time, mainly because it has a massive impact on your actions and speed. On one hand, when you hold a weapon, you will generally be able to attack instantly. On the other hand, some weapons will be too heavy to actually carry around with you (namely the greatswords) with which retracting will be crucial if you ever want to catch up to fleeing enemies or flee from enemies yourself. Maybe realistic, maybe not, but it adds great depth in fighting monsters of the larger category. You will see.
There are no Wii-remote based moves in the game. Combat is consisted of tilting he Wii remote specifically and pressing the A button to attack, primarily due to the ability of charge attacks. As such, it features no Wii ZMotion Plus capabilities.
You also get a Journal to carry around with you, in which you can "study" monsters. This functions with using the Wii pointer or D-Pad to catalog monsters, revealing their names and behavior with a few simple motions. Some information, like their eating patterns, may be useful to see before a fight.
Shortly after what seems pointless, you will come back with many materials which will allow you to construct armour. There is nothing hard about the system; you choose the weapon which strikes your interest (with statistics and image appearing on the left side of the screen) then see if you have the necessary material. No gimmick. No mini-game. It is necessary to get into the groove of crafting weapons, as it is the main drive of the game, but mostly to ensure you win your first "boss fight," which is the real hunt.
After that one hour is accomplished, you are officially ready for MH3's most welcome feature to the Wii; the online play.
If you've ever played a game like L4D or Borderlands, you know what to expect. Four players will get together in the "lobby" which is actually a modified version of the town you live in in the single player mode with one exception; there's an arm wrestling table. As pointless as it is, it is fun to show your superiority by flipping your opponent in a 180 degree side-flip after waggling the Wii remote. In the same part of town, you will be allowed to choose between two types of quests; regular and arena mode (with the difference being one is in a confined space with limited equipment choice (guess which one). As you start a quest, the other players will be expected to join in and then proceed to wait for you at the docks, at which point you can ship out when you feel you're ready to begin.
One of the most interesting features in the online coop is that, being a console game, there are many ways to interact with other players. With Wii Speak as an option (friends only) there is also a selection of quick shout-outs to select with the D-Pad and A button, as well as a virtual keyboard. Even if none of those are to your liking, you will also be allowed to plug in any USB keyboard you might own into the nintendo, and use it to make gestures as well as type out full sentences. Capcom didn't seem to forget hat communication was crucial, even in a console game.
Multiplayer is a much different experience than single player, not only because of the added players and the option for teamwork, but because teamwork becomes an encouragement. Unlike the boss monsters in single player, monsters in multiplayer are much harder, completely forgetting that they need to stop and catch a breath, and can attack the players quite honestly non-stop with a never-ending combo (although it won't affect a player who's already taking a hit and falling to the ground). In addition, monsters are also smarter, attacking the player who's taking time away from the battle to drink a potion or sharpen their swords, because they know that those specific players are going to present themselves as the biggest problem in all the battle.
Tactics and teamwork is the main meal of multiplayer, with strength only being a side dish to make the whole experience more complete.
Verdict
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Graphics 9/10
-Arguably the best out there on the Wii, down to the models, lighting, and special effects.
Gameplay 10/10
With much to do, and exciting, satisfying, and challenging at every turn, it never gets old.
Difficulty balance 10/10
As long as you take some time planning, the game's difficulty will tip in your favour. Very challenging, and very hard, yet never cheap.
Realism 10/10
Everything in the world is there for a reason. All monsters behave differently, and naturally. Not all have to be hostile, and many seem to react to all your actions.
Sound 10/10
From the voice acting (which revolves around actions like fighting) to the sound effects and and animal battle cries, it is an ear-catching experience.
Controls 9/10
There is no targeting system, which is unusual for a Wii game. However, it is not needed and may ruin the experience. Then again, in the end, it's a matter of perspective. It also features no Wii motion controls, but for a good reason, and the game plays comfortably in your hands, considering there is no pause screen for this fast-moving action game when accessing the inventory screen.
For those that don't like the Wii remote, the game can be played with a classic controller as well.
Camera 10/10
The camera never, EVER moves off course. It stays exactly at the angle at which you set it. However, it doesn't keep the game from losing any dynamic angles, keeping the life and adrenaline during boss fights throughout the game. Rather than the Wii remote, it functions through the D-Pad.
Multiplayer 10/10
The multiplayer is fun, fast, challenging, and very easy to get the hang of. It is filled with multiple ways to communicate, even with a USB keyboard and Wii Speak. The connection depends on the quality of your wireless, and doesn't awkwardly freeze or lag, unless connection is lost. It encourages teamwork without making it a necessity.
Overall, 10/10
Monster Hunter Tri is loaded with great content, none of which presents itself as a problem, with plenty of things to craft and monsters to hunt keep the game fresh and fun for a very, very long time.