Nintendo UK: '5 Tips to get the most from the Monster Hunter Generations Demo'

Also, a special #MHGen competition under the hashtag #QuestComplete is in effect until Monday in the United Kingdom.

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5 Tips to get the most from the Monster Hunter™ Generations Demo

New to Monster Hunter? Here are some handy tips to help kickstart your hunting career!

04/07/2016

The Monster Hunter™ Generations demo is now available to download* from Nintendo eShop on all Nintendo 3DS family systems! This tiny taster lets you take on three monsters either solo or in multiplayer with up to three other players, locally or online*, and lets you try any of the game’s weapons in conjunction with the four new Hunting Styles.

Between the streamlined Prowler mode and the brand new combat customisation that comes with Hunting Styles and Hunter Arts there has never been a better time to join the hunt. So with that in mind here are some pointers and a little competition to help you get the most from the Monster Hunter™ Generations demo, in the likely chance that this is your first hunt.

1. Grab your items & stay alive!

See that blue box in the first area? That wooden container holds a whole host of valuable items that you’ll want to take with you! From healing potions to traps you can use to immobilise your target, this box should be your first stop on any hunt. Simply run up to it and tap the A Button before looting it for all it’s worth. Be aware that you share the items in said box with your hunting party, though, so leave a few potions for your allies when playing in multiplayer!

Just in case you don’t know, here’s how to use said items – hold the L Button and press the Y Button or A Button to scroll through your active item. Once you see the item you want to use release the L Button and then tap the Y Button to use it when your weapon is holstered. When you’re starting out it’s recommended that you keep health potions handy and then just remember to put space between yourself and the hungry monsters before taking a glug (holster your weapon with the Y Button and then run away). Monster Hunter is all about considering every action, especially those that keep you alive!

2. Use Target Cam

Having trouble keeping a monster in your sights? Well struggle no more thanks to the wonders of Target Cam!

Using Target Cam is easy. Once you’ve located your current assignment you should see a portrait of the creature appear on the bottom left panel of the Touch Screen. Tap this panel to make a crosshair appear on it and now every tap of the L Button will focus the camera on the monster in question (pressing the L Button twice quickly will centre the camera behind you).

This tool can make all the difference when that Great Maccao is leaping everywhere, forcing you to dodge this way and that. Once you activate Target Cam you can simply tap the L Button and, as sure as a Bullfango will charge, there he is, lined up for your next attack.

3. Experiment with Hunting Styles and Weapons

Monster Hunter™ Generations is the most customisable Monster Hunter game ever thanks to the addition of Hunting Styles and Hunter Arts on top of the established range of weaponry, and that’s without even considering how much you can tweak a Prowler in the full game. As such it can often be the case that the first armament you try may not be your perfect fit.

Adept Style in particular, which rewards perfectly timed dodges, can be a tricky Hunting Style for newcomers, so it’s recommended to avoid that until you’ve taken time to learn a monster’s attack patterns.

In light of this you should try and have fun trying out the range of weapons and styles on offer, and don’t make a snap judgement if your first choice doesn’t gel. Love all out offense? Dual Blades Striker or Aerial Hammer are fun aggressive options. More of a precise player? Switch Axe, Great Sword and Charge Blade are nice choices. Like to keep your distance? Try one of the ranged weapons with Aerial Style (then press the B Button to leap off of a monster, and then press the X and A Buttons together for ultimate style). Team player? Hop online* with a Hunting Horn or as a Prowler and players are sure to appreciate your company. Speaking of which…

4. Summon your friends

Monster Hunter™ Generations is a game best experienced with company. While you can tackle the game’s challenges on your own the feeling of felling these mighty monsters as a team is incomparably satisfying, and it makes weapon choices such as Bowgun or Hunting Horn make more sense as part of a team dynamic.

The only thing better than playing with random players in online play*? Teaming up with friends in Local Play of course! The Monster Hunter™ Generations demo allows online play* and Local Play, so grab your friends and tackle the demo’s challenges together to get the most out of the Monster Hunter™ Generations demo! Or alternatively hop online every Tuesday from 7pm and use the #HuntingHorn tag on Twitter to call-out for allies! There are always people around willing to hunt some beasts…

5. Learn to ‘read’ the monster

Now that you’ve got a handle on items, know the maps, and have a weapon you like it’s time to get to the nitty gritty – learning how to read a monster.

The enemies you fight in Monster Hunter™ Generations change over the course of combat as you deal more damage but the only way to see these shifts of mood is to pay attention, there aren’t any health bars to help you here. Is the monster panting and drooling? That means its stamina is low and this is the best time to attack – it’s exhausted! Does it look angry? Eyes glowing? Ears flaring up? Now is the time to run! An enraged monster will attack more viciously and even deal more damage so caution is advised at these points in particular.

Learning to read these signs will help you become a better hunter, and not just because it lets you know when to shift between an offensive and defensive focus. Try trapping a monster in a pitfall trap when it’s exhausted, for example, and you’ll note that it stays restrained for longer. Monster Hunter™ Generations is a game that rewards smart, considered play at every turn, and the more you know the more satisfying an adventure it becomes!

Bonus: Never give up!

One final tip – try and try again. Monster Hunter™ Generations is not an easy game and monsters will relentlessly kick you around when you first meet them. Ultimately though as you start to analyse their movements, learn their weaknesses and faults, and slowly overcome the challenge that each creature poses, you’ll come to understand the unique joy and gratification that Monster Hunter™ Generations provides. Be willing to persevere and you too will realise why Monster Hunter has captured the hearts of so many.

Competition

To celebrate the release of the Monster Hunter™ Generations demo we’re launching a competition! All you have to do to enter this random prize draw is prove to us that you can and have beaten a Great Maccao! Online play* or Local Play, doesn’t matter, all you need to do is post a photo of your Nintendo 3DS family system to Twitter showing you standing triumphant, alongside the hashtags #MHGen and #QuestComplete!

Three winners will be chosen at random from all successful entries, and each will win a #3DSAdventures prize pack, detailed below. Happy Hunting!

— Nintendo UK News
Source: Nintendo UK.