Monster Hunter Now: Will this AR game be the new Pokémon Go?
Capcom and Niantic announce Monster Hunter Now. Can the AR game repeat the success of Pokémon Go?
Capcom's popular Monster Hunter series is getting a new spin-off. However, instead of controlling your character with a controller through a virtual environment, you will actively hunt monsters yourself. Monster Hunter Now is an augmented reality game developed by Niantic in the style of Pokémon Go.
In Monster Hunter Now, you search the real world for powerful creatures such as Rathalos, Pukei-Pukei, and others to hunt down in the ensuing battle.
Battling like in Pokémon Go?
This news should give Monster Hunter fans both reason to rejoice and reason to worry. The idea of being able to hunt monsters yourself sounds appealing. However, Monster Hunter is known for its action-packed gameplay, and Niantic has already implemented a battle system in its hit game Pokémon Go that has little in common with the original.
However, the teaser trailer gives us hope that Monster Hunter Now will be very similar to the gameplay of the original. It shows fighters attacking giant lizards with swords and crossbows, jumping into the air and launching attacks.
Development of the game began in March 2019, and Capcom's series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto was immediately excited about the collaboration with Niantic. In an interview, he said: "I can still remember when Niantic told me about this project, I immediately said 'Let's do it' without giving it a second thought."
Release Date and Closed Beta
Monster Hunter Now is scheduled for release in September 2023 for Android and iOS devices. The closed beta will begin on April 25th. Registration is now open on the game's official website.
Niantic has released many new AR games in recent months, hoping to replicate the success of Pokémon Go. However, Pikmin Bloom and NBA All World fall far short of Niantic's flagship game. The Harry Potter game Wizards Unite has even been cancelled.
Besides Monster Hunter Now, Niantic has another promising game in development called Peridot. The game, in which you breed cuddly fantasy creatures, is scheduled for release on May 9, 2023.
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