Niantic and Capcom have just announced the latest entry in the Monster Hunter franchise, a Pokemon GO-like game titled Monster Hunter Now. Read on to learn more about Monster Hunter Now including the release date, the open beta test, and what people online are saying about it.
Niantic, Capcom Unveil Monster Hunter Now
New MH Game To Come Out September 2023
Mobile game developer Niantic and Capcom announced on Tuesday that a new entry to the Monster Hunter series titled 'Monster Hunter Now' is set for release this coming September.
In a press release, Niantic said that the game will be available for smartphones, with which players will use Augmented Reality (AR) technology to find monsters in the real world.
Based on a teaser video released on YouTube, once players find a monster they want to hunt, the game will transition to a battle where they will fight their prey in the classic Monster Hunter style.
Niantic added that players will be able to mark monsters they find outside with a so-called 'Paintball' item so they can fight them at home instead.
The gameplay is reminiscent of Niantic's past title, Pokemon Go, which was released back in 2016 and used similar AR technology in its gameplay.
Monster Hunter Now Closed Beta Test Applications Opened
CBT To Start on April 25
On Twitter, Niantic also announced that they were accepting applications for Monster Hunter Now's Closed Beta Test. An estimated 10,000 applicants will be picked to participate in the CBT, which will begin on April 25.
To apply for the CBT, click here and fill in the form.
Online Users Divided on 'Monster Hunter Now' Announcement
Some Users Worry About How Niantic Will Handle New Title
Following Niantic's announcement, several users online have expressed both excitement and skepticism toward the newest entry in the Monster Hunter franchise.
Some social media users said that they liked the idea of Pokemon Go-style
gameplay combined with Monster Hunter's combat. Others, however, brought up Niantic's allegedly bad handling of Pokemon Go as a reason to be wary of the upcoming title.
Some users, meanwhile, questioned why a walkabout
game like Monster Hunter Now would be released during September, which is typically a cold month in the United States.
The Monster Hunter franchise, which began in 2004, is one of Capcom's largest franchises, with games in the series selling more than 90 million units globally. It is also one of the forerunners of the Monster Hunting
genre of video games, which has other popular titles like God Eater
and Wild Hearts
.
