Monster Hunter

[IceBurner]

A new PS2 RPG, sounds very much like Phantasy Star Online, though one would hope it has numerous improvements over PSO's issues.



The combat seems to be action-based, and you can play online with up to 3 others per game. You can also play offline.
You make your own equipment out of materials from the monsters you slay. This sounds a fair sight more fun and less frustrating than hunting endlessly for random drops. Of course getting rare/exceptional items would probably mean defeating a difficult mission or monster, but it's up to you how you fare, and not some damn random number generator .
The scenery seems well-designed, especially outdoor areas. Cutting edge graphics definitely aren't eveything, but at the same time, really crappy design can be an eyesore. Example: PSO's Forest ... it hurts. MH doesn't seem to overemphasize looks, while still looking professional and having enough style to make it fun.


Monster Hunter may very well be a near-complete PSO ripoff, but if they've done right what PSO has gotten wrong across FOUR+ VERSIONS, it's likely I'll be glad to play it.

[Firefly]

It doesn't look bad, but when I saw that dragon they're using for the ads I immediately thought of PSO. It could be radically different but the impression they're giving right now looks like they're trying to attract PSO players.

Downsides:



PS2 exclusive. Boo. Xbox would've been a better choice IMO, but the brand-conscious Japanese don't like our silly gaijin systems. :P
Character customization is very limited.
Not as stylish as PSO. (Then again, I always preferred sci-fi to fantasy.)

I'll try it, but I'm not buying a PS2 for it.

[IceBurner]

I thought the same things, really. PSO remains unfortunately unique, despite the number of games ripping off its concepts these days. No one seems willing to make their own PSO and do it right (especially Sonic Team, PSU worries me).

[Firefly]

The gameplay vids are 10x better than any screenshot or quick blurb. If it plays as well as it looks, I'll be very excited. It's out now, but no rental places around here seem to have it. >_<