Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
Developer(s)	Capcom
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Designer(s)	Yasunori Ichinose, Shinji Imai
Series	Monster Hunter series
Platform(s)	PlayStation Portable
Release date(s)	JP March 27, 2008 NA June 23, 2009[1] EU June 26, 2009[2]
Genre(s)	Action role-playing game
Mode(s)	Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Rating(s)	CERO: C ESRB: T OFLC: PG
Media/distribution	UMD, Download

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is a 2008 video game in the Monster Hunter franchise for PlayStation Portable. It is an expansion pack of the original Monster Hunter Freedom 2 and was released on March 27, 2008 in Japan as Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (モンスターハンターポータブル 2nd G, Monsutā hantā pōtaburu 2nd G^?). In the 2008 Tokyo Game Show, it was announced that the game would be released in North America as Monster Hunter Freedom Unite in Spring 2009.^[3] At the 2009 GDC, the release date was further specified as June 23, 2009. The US, and the Australian demo is available for free, on the PlayStation Network on the PSP as of May 21, 2009.^[4] Capcom has announced that the PSP bundle will be released in Europe, but were not specific about anywhere else. A press release at Capcom's European Press Center website states that the bundle will contain "a specially designed Monster Hunter branded PSP skin and pouch along with a copy of the game." ^[5] As for the release in Japan, there was a special edition PSP bundle which included the game, a strap, and a decorated Matte Bronze PSP. In addition to this bundle, people who pre-ordered the game also received a black, hairy strap. The hair on the strap was meant to be that of a monster exclusive to the game, the Nargacuga.

New features

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite has more missions, equipment, and monsters than Monster Hunter Freedom 2. A new feature is a Felyne fighter to help you on your quests. You can also get Rarity 9 and 10 armor and weapons. In addition, the player can now hold up to 99 of each item type in his/her item box, store up to 20 equipment sets, and get ten equipment pages instead of six. A new type of quest, the "Epic Hunting Quest", will be introduced, which will enable the hunter to take on, one by one, up to more than 4 different monsters in one quest, as shown in the released demo. Weapons can now have up to purple sharpness which is higher than white sharpness. You can now accept HR 7-9 quests in the gathering hall and new elder quests outside the gathering hall from a Felyne beside the village elder. The downloadable content can give you special armor for your felyne along with early unlocks for some of the felyne skills.The introduction of new monsters such as the Ukanlos have been put into the game with even more creatures than the last version of Monster Hunter Freedom 2 on the PSP system.

Adhoc Party

On November 6, 2008, the beta version of a new online service allowing voice chat through the PlayStation Network (and a LAN connected Wi-Fi capable PlayStation 3) was released on the Japanese PlayStation Store. Adhoc Party for PlayStation Portable beta version is compatible with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.

Europe/US Campaign

Capcom has created the Encyclopedia Gigantica, a website for newcomers to the Monster Hunter series. It includes tutorial videos, images of monsters, forums and more. This website has been shut down.

Capcom was also holding a temporary Gathering Hall between the 3rd of July and the 1st of September in London, Charing Cross, for all Unite players to play in a campaign to make the franchise more popular in the West to see future titles to be released overseas. Capcom's Monster Hunter Freedom Unite website, as well as Encyclopedia Gigantica, are sending out demo copies of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite to anyone who registers for one.

This demo has a set equipment list for each of the weapon categories, and the player may also select between three felyne helpers to join the player on their quest also allowing you to choose three fun quest to keep you busy for about 2 hours.

Reception

Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G has enjoyed much commercial success in Japan. The Japanese version of the game sold 690,000 copies on its release day, and in its first week sold 1.5 million copies.^{[citation needed]} As of July 8, 2009, the game has sold 3.5 million copies in the region.^[6] Monster Hunter Freedom Unite has achieved great critical response with an average metric score of 80% with IGN and Eurogamer giving the game a 8/10. One of very few negative feedback was from GameSpot who gave the game a 6.5, stating it still contains camera issues, no lock on feature and the lack of an online mode.^[7] No official numbers on American sales have been released at this time. As of March 2010, Capcom has reported shipping 4 million copies of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite in Japan.

References

1. ^ http://psp.ign.com/articles/966/966526p1.html
2. ^ http://monsterhunter.wikia.com/wiki/Monster_Hunter_Freedom_Unite
3. ^ http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/tgs-08-capcom-announces-us-bound-monster-hunter-freedom-unite/
4. ^ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/05/21/monster-hunter-demo-live-today-on-psn/
5. ^ http://www.capcomeuro-press.com/default.asp?i=155 Capcom Europe Press Center (login required)
6. ^ Remo, Chris (July 8, 2009). "Monster Hunter Freedom Unite PSP Sells 3.5M In Japan". Gamasutra.com. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24355. Retrieved 2009-07-08. 
7. ^ Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Refiew for PSP - GameSpot

External links

• Encyclopedia Gigantica (official)
• [1]
• [2]