Gaming
Monster Hunter: World’s Mechanics Clash with the Concept of Loot Boxes
Loot boxes are quickly becoming far too common in games. Sure, they might be (somewhat) acceptable in free-to-play games, but many argue that including loot boxes in games you have to pay for, especially when the boxes give players tangible advantages over players who don’t buy loot boxes, goes too far. Well, Monster Hunter fans don’t have to worry about loot boxes in Monster Hunter: World, since they are at odds with the game’s mechanics.
During an interview with Gamespot, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto stated the following when asked about loot boxes in Monster Hunter: World:
“I think that Monster Hunter has already built that kind of randomized, item reward into the gameplay. Whenever you carve a monster after a hunt, you don’t know what you’re gonna get within a certain range. You’ve got certain rare parts that you almost never get. You’ve got some of the ones you don’t need that you get a lot of. And then there are the rewards for the quest as well. There are some [rewards] that are standard, there are some that are randomized, and a big bigger or smaller chance of getting them. You’ve already kind of got loot as a core gameplay aspect without having to shove a microtransaction version of it in.”
As a Monster Hunter veteran, I know all to well the frustration of hunting a monster over and over again for the one item I need to craft a new weapon or piece of armor yet never getting it, forcing me to hunt the monster numerous times (I think the most I ever hunted one monster for a specific reward is around twenty) until I finally carve out that long-awaited rare item. Yet, I never had to pay a dime for these items, and more importantly, I enjoyed these hunts. Sure, it counts as grinding, but you know a game is good if it makes grinding for loot enjoyable, and not out of a “one more time” mentality. If Monster Hunter: World implemented microtransaction loot boxes, Tsujimoto feels it would ruin the experience, as the point of the game is to hunt monsters, not pay money for the option to skip the experience. Either way, there’s no guarantee a player will even get the item he or she wants, so why bother paying for a roll of the dice when you can just roll them for free?
Game director Yuuya Tokuda shared Tsujimoto’s sentiments in a separate interview:
“I wouldn’t see a paid loot box or paid system for getting random items as fitting Monster Hunter because it isn’t a game where the strength of the items is the key aspect of how you proceed. The idea is that the time you spend hunting and the action part of the game is how you brush up on your skills. And then of course you get rewards of better items; but by skipping out on the part where you get better and hunt — if you’re simply getting more items — I don’t think that’ll be a very satisfying experience for players because it wouldn’t even necessarily make it that much more of a time saver if you haven’t got the skill to use the items you’ve gotten.”
Likewise, game director Kaname Fujioka (in yet another interview) echoed Tokuda’s argument that Monster Hunter is built around the concept of getting better at hunting monsters, receiving items as a reward, using those items to make better armor and weapons to hunt even stronger monsters, and then rinsing and repeating in perpetuity. TL;DR version: the developers behind Monster Hunter: World will never put loot boxes in the game because it defeats the purpose of the game, which is to essentially “git gud.” If only more game developers thought like that.
Gaming
Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.46 introduces an exciting addition to the roster of exclusive cars available in the PS5 and PS4 racing game
Gran Turismo 7 has just received an exciting update to version 1.46 on both PS5 and PS4. This latest update introduces a unique addition to the game: the Škoda Vision Gran Turismo, a car that you won’t come across in any other game. Škoda makes its debut in the franchise with a visionary study of a single-seater, all-electric racing concept car, designed exclusively for the Polyphony Digital racer.
Once you’ve downloaded update 1.46, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive not one but two additional cars: the AFEELA Prototype 2024 and the iconic Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Sport Coupe ’70. Get ready for an exhilarating ride! Watch as they take to the track in the video above.
Additionally, the update introduces a new menu for players to tackle in the GT Café. At Collector Level 38, players have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of Ferrari 12-cylinder engines, gaining knowledge and expanding their collection. In World Circuits, players can look forward to exciting new events such as the Japanese Clubman Cup 550, the American FR Challenge 550, and the Vision Gran Turismo Trophy. For all the avid fans of Photo Mode, there’s an exciting opportunity to explore the captivating city of San Diego in a brand new Scape.
What are your thoughts on the latest update for Gran Turismo 7? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Gaming
ReFantazio Takes a Different Approach to Romance, Setting Itself Apart from the Persona Games
Atlus’ highly anticipated RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, appears to incorporate familiar systems reminiscent of the developer’s acclaimed Persona series. The game features turn-based battles that heavily rely on exploiting enemy weaknesses. Additionally, players have the ability to summon warrior spirits during combat. However, the most significant aspect of this game, which will be discussed in this article, is the bonding system. Through this system, players can spend time with important characters and gain deeper insights into their personalities and stories.
In contrast to the Persona games, the bonding system ends at that point. Unfortunately, players will be unable to pursue romantic relationships with their beloved waifus, which may come as a disappointment to those who have developed strong feelings for Hulkenberg, the party’s charismatic red-haired elven knight.
According to Siliconera, the absence of romance came up during a recent question and answer session. Atlus emphasized the continued opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with your allies while also introducing additional narratives through substories. In addition, familiarizing yourself with the supporting characters will grant you access to new archetypes, which serve as the game’s character classes.
In the Persona games, romance is not obligatory; rather, it serves as a means to customize your playthrough. However, it is quite unexpected that Metaphor has chosen not to pursue such a venture, considering the significant amount of discussion it typically generates!
Were you anticipating any romantic elements in Metaphor? If you’re not satisfied with your pre-order, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Gaming
Shift Up unveils the intriguing details behind the physical packaging of Stellar Blade for the PS5
It appears that many
are eagerly anticipating the launch of the highly anticipated PS5 exclusive, Stellar Blade. Shift Up, the developer, has shared a lengthy video showcasing the “secrets” found in the physical box of the game for PS5. From what we can gather, these secrets include a reversible cover/dust jacket and a download code for cosmetic items.
We must clarify that while we do appreciate the variant cover, it may be more appealing than the game’s standard art. However, it is not something we would typically classify as a “secret.”. However, what’s interesting is that Shift Up has confirmed through the comments section that this will be the case in all regions. Additionally, the visually striking action RPG will remain uncensored worldwide.
「Stellar Blade」 Physical Package Secrets⚠️#StellarBlade #PS5 #Disc pic.twitter.com/WQSzKUSDQ4
— StellarBlade (@StellarBlade) April 22, 2024
It’s refreshing to witness a developer going the extra mile for physical collectors, and it’s evident that the developer is determined to leave a favorable mark in the console realm. Stellar Blade is set to make its highly anticipated debut this Friday, April 26th, exclusively on the PS5.
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