■ Story Details: See link.
■ Character Bios: See link.
■ Locations: See link.
■ Battle System
Battles are turn-based. You'll fight using 「Power,」 「Technique,」 and 「Speed」 command options.
Monsters have habits so if you pay attention and read their movements, you can tell what will be advantageous in battle.
「Otomon,」 friendly monsters that Riders can deepen their bonds with, have their own minds and will act at their own will. If the condition calls for it, the Rider and monster can perform a cooperation attack.
A Rider's attack changes based on the equipped weapon. Large swords have the 「Nagiharai」 special skill, one-handed swords have the 「Shield Bash」 special skill, and so on.
Once riders build a good enough bond with their monsters, they an use the 「Ride On」 technique to dramatically increase their ability. Using the Kizuna Stone, you'll be able to use stronger 「Bond Techniques,」 which includes different techniques depending on the monster.
■ Otomon Eggs
You can find monster eggs on the field and bring them back to the village to raise them. What kind of monsters will hatch depends on the location you find them.
■ Interview Tidbits
The following are tidbits from the interview in this week's Weekly Famitsu:
Since there are a lot of players that have an interest in the world of Monster Hunter, we were looking into a game in the the RPG genre that takes advantage of the setting for about five or six years. Actual development started two years ago.
There are a lot of people who love monsters, so for this game we put the spotlight on monsters.
I want players of all ages to play this game. We made the visuals and world setting as familiar as possible, and we're aware the story is not too serious.
The 「Power,」 「Technique,」 and 「Speed」 command-based battles are not only games of luck. For example, the Velociprey likes to speed, etc. There are different habits for each monster. By continuously getting into battle, you'll learn their habits.
The hero can have a party with multiple monsters. In a battle, he can fight together with one of them. It's also possible to change which monster you are partnered with in battle.
The hero participates in battle but largely in a support role. The core attacks are dished out by the Otomon.
Otomon have their own particular abilities, and there are cases when you can go places you normally can't by making use of them.
New areas previously not seen in the series will be depicted in this game.
Riders form bonds with monsters, while Hunters hunt monsters. From the perspective of these opposing groups, the game will depict a deep story about the world of Monster Hunter.