Monster Hunter Freedom

"Epic monster hunting and gutting action!"

I would first like to say this is the PSP game that has sucked away more of life than any other. If you buy it you will quickly be finding yourself playing it on the bus or while waiting in lines.

GRAPHICS: 9

The graphics in this game are really quite nice. The fmv graphics are absolutely stunning and the gameplay graphics are also quite nice, somewhere between ps1 and ps2 I would say. There are a few minor errors such as lances clipping with trees and such but that's to be expected.

SOUND: 8

All of the songs sound pretty good and there are some that just feel downright epic. There are many sound effects for everything, like multiple sounds for stabbing so it doesn't sound TO repetitive, you can also choose many different voices for your hunter so it's not like you have no choice in what you're stuck with hearing all day... The wyverns and other creatures also sound extremely threatening (as the should!)

GAMEPLAY: 9.9

The gameplay in this is just so good. While it may require some tenacity at times I feel this game is very rewarding and enjoyable. The premise of the game is you're a hunter looking for riches and fame I suppose. And what being a hunter entails is going out into the wilderness armed with the weapon of your choice (be it lance, bowgun, hammer, sword and shield, great sword, or dual swords) and using them to kill monsters and process their corpse' to make better armour or equipment.

Now there are two radically different ways to play the game even though all weapons play differently. The two different ways come down to gunner vs melee. A gunner uses bowguns, which are like a cross between a crossbow and a rifle, as well as MANY different kinds of ammunition for said bowgun that each have a purpose and are effective if used properly.

But hunters use melee weapons and can usually dish out big damage a little faster but not in as safe a manner. Also gunners use light armour whereas hunters use heavy armour. It's also possible to do both but you will be hard-pressed to upgrade your gunner equipment at the same rate as your melee equipment so I'd simply recommend making two characters.

Recommendation: Buy!
Buy this gem while it's still available and if you have any doubts I am sure they will be gone after you rent it for several days.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/11/08

Game Release: Monster Hunter Freedom (US, 05/23/06)