Virtual Lagicrus!

by ARCHON

A few days ago I came across this link describing an 'augmented reality' Lagicrus. Intrigued I followed the link and what I ended up with eventually with a 3-D Lagicrus model floating above a piece of paper in mid-air between the computer screen and I! That's what it appears on the computer screen itself anyway.

If you have a webcam and a printer try this out! Apparently the computer tracks the pattern on the printed page and uses it as a reference for for projecting a virtual lagicrus model in seemingly thin air. You can rotate and tilt the model. It's a little buggy, but really neat when you get it to work. Be patient as you may have to hold the page there for a while for everything to come into focus just right.

Bowgun Crafting Tutorial

By ARCHON

The Bowgun is arguably the most complex weapon in Monster Hunter Tri. It comes in three different parts, has slots for decorations, and depending on your build can shoot completely different kinds of ammo. It makes sense that this is weapon option is rarely exploited by hunters (playing online I see very few bowgunners) One youtube user has created a really slick crafting tutorial that makes using bowguns a little more approachable. So check it out, and then go build your own!

Keyboard or no keyboard, that is the question

By ARCHON

Those who have spent any amount of time playing Monster Hunter Tri online have found that communication among hunters is extremely valuable. The game offers a variety of ways to interact. There are of course the avatar gestures (funny, but no always that useful), wii-speak support, an in-game text entry screen, and support for a usb keyboard. It is this last option that I am thinking about taking advantage of.

I love that the game supports wii-speak, an underutilized device for the Wii. I love talking with my friends to plan methods of attack, set up quests, and warn them of low health or a nasty incoming monster attack. This option is fantastic but limited. I can only speak with those I register as friends through Monster Hunter Tri, and in my day to day interaction with other players my only other option is the terrible (alphabetical rather than QWERTY) keyboard in the game itself. Using this to communicate is do-able but painfully slow. So, is getting a keyboard worth it?

I have a friend who swears by using a keyboard, and for good reason. You can get your point across clearly and quickly (sometimes voices come through muffled on the wii-speak) and more importantly you can easily converse with non-friend teammates while battling. If you are a fast typist, it's not even that far of a stretch to type a note or two in the heat of battle, something that is impossible to do with the in-game text entry method. But is it worth it? Should I track down and buy a USB keyboard for just this one game? The video below is a CNET review for logitech's wii wireless keyboard. A particularly slick option. What do you think? How do you communicate in Monster Hunter Tri?

Monster Hunter Tri Smashes onto the Charts

By ZANZIBAR

For those of you who are familiar with your Nintendo Channel on the Wii will hopefully have seen the list of Wii games with the highest average amount of play-time. This list has been dominated by by Super Smash Bro's since it's release an the list itself has been fairly stagnant. But Kotaku has created a really neat chart to display this information and on the far right side about 1/2 way down debuting at solid 39:56 is our beloved Monster Hunter Tri.  Not bad for a first month!

Better Know a Weapon Part 4- The Long Sword (2.0)

BY ZANZIBAR

Now that I have a lot of Longsword experience under my belt, I thought it best to update my original weapons guide.So the big idea here is the more you cut the stronger it gets and then you unleash your built up energy in a flurry of attacks. Basic combo is overhead slash,thrust, rising slash (X A X).  The Long Sword (LS) also has an evasive slash to make up for it's lack of blocking ability, with the wiimote/nunchuck combo or CC (Classic Controller) set to attack with the right stick you can control which direction you dodge after your slash with twist of the wrist or flick of the thumb. Setup 1 with the CC only had a backwards dodge that is executed with X+A, however if you are mid combo you can use X+A and a direction press of the stick to control your direction. The LS has an infinite combo in X A X X, just keep repeating and you'll get that guage filled in no time. 

The the spirit gauge will fill up and glow red at it's peak this is the time to unleash a spirity combo by repeatedly hitting R on the CC, the spirit combo has a unique trait in that it will not bounce off a monster regardless of sharpness.  This combo has a tremendous amount of power behind it and each slash can do 120% of normal damage and end with your weapon being sheathed There are 3 levels to your charge, white, yellow and red. The first two will remain until you die or progress to the next level while the third red level where you get the 120% increase is only temporary but you can increase the time it is available by connecting with the final blow of a spirit combo. To extend the spirit combo you can alternate R and X for what can be a 12 hit combo and will happen very quickly, excellent for an incapacitated monster.

The running speed while the weapon is out is faster than the Great Sword and falls in pretty close to the middle as far as all weapons are concerned. The attack speed is fairly quick with good reach and the evasive slash can be combed into from any attack giving it good mobility.  


Happy Hunting.

Zero Punctuation Reviews Monster Hunter Tri

By ARCHON

Looks like Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw of Zero Punctuation got his hands on a copy of Monster Hunter Tri. If you've never seen one of his reviews be warned, they are not safe for work (strong and crass language) though ultimately hilarious and clever. Can't say he's a fan of the game, but games he actually admires are few and far between so I'll take it.

Monster Hunter Tri Music

By ARCHON

The creators of Monster Hunter 3 certainly have a handle on what makes a game feel epic. The environments are beautiful and sweeping, the weapons are ridiculous, the monsters are crazy huge, and the sense of accomplishment after a well fought hunt is palpable. Its good to know then that all of these characteristics are backed up by a score of music just as epic.

You can always count on the music to really set the mood in Monster Hunter Tri, whether you are walking out across a huge sandy plain, wandering into your village farm, or encountering a formidable beast in the Flooded Forest.

YouTube user Tristya has posted much of the Tri Soundtrack on his/her channel. Check it out to listen to what I'm talking about. I wonder if this will ever make it to CD, like another one of my favorite games did?: Shadow of the Colossus (a game I think Monster Hunter Tri takes a cue or two from).

Custom Monster Hunter Tri Gear

By ARCHON

Capcom has partnered with online apparel creator Zazzle.com to make customizable designs for T-shirts, mugs, gifts, and more bearing the Capcom (legal) seal of approval. Specifically for us, that means Monster Hunter Tri logos and images on some pretty cool shirts, shot-glasses, posters and the like.

Check out the site for a huge collection of snazzy Monster Hunter Tri-themed clothes and trinkets. It's really fun to browse around. What is your favorite? Now, if only they'd make t-shirts that look like your favorite armor set!

Better Know a Monster: Royal Ludroth

By ARCHON

The Royal Ludroth, while not an abnormally difficult monster himself, can prove to be quite challenging the first couple of times around since he marks your first underwater battle. Personally, I find him much easier to fight on land than in the water since he seems to become more maneuverable and faster underwater, but the Monster Hunter should know how to fight him in any terrain.

On land he has a multitude of attacks to be aware of: A belly flop, jumping dive, a curling bite, a roll, a spitting water charge, and a biting lunge. (Did I miss any). Most of these just need to be observed to be avoided, but here are a few tips. If he does the curling bite and missed you, get ready to dodge because it is followed up by a powerful tail-flick. When he rears up to roll stand right by his tail and 9 out of 10 times the roll will miss you. Stay to the left and right of him as much as possible to avoid his belly-flop and charges, attacking his mane and tail. He will sometimes spit water globs at you that if hit, will cause water-blight. Also avoid the ground-plumes that result from these globs hitting the ground as they will do the same. He will usually charge 2 or 3 different directions while spitting water, so steer clear until he's done with this attack or you'll be bowled over.

In the water, stay high, near his head and attack the head and mane. Watch out for his charges and dodge to avoid, and for his claw-swipes as he turns to face you.

His weak points are the mane and tail, both of which are pretty large targets so have at it! His tail can even be cut off and carved from, and his mane broken (which sometimes gives you "quality sponge" as a quest reward). He's weak to fire, so bring the appropriate elemental weapon if you have one, or bring plenty of fire ammo if you are using the bowgun. Thunder and Ice will also deal extra damage, though not as much as fire. Good luck brave hunter! The R. Ludroth is but a taste of aquatic beasts to come.

Video Review from Gamespot

By ARCHON

Here is another video review of Monster Hunter Tri, this time from Gamespot. Their favorite part of the game, understandably, is the online play.

"It has a great sense of adventure, and this cool aura of authenticity about it. Giant angler fish with spikes and huge lizards wouldn't be easy to take down...and so it is in Monster Hunter Tri. You're in unfriendly territory here, and I mean that in a good way."