SugoiBoi
2023
The machine did indeed, cry.
Crymachina is a spiritual successor to Crystar, carrying over plenty of the old game's systems, ideas, and staff which would make old fans feel at home right away but also give them an entirely different experience that often times feel like the complete opposite of Crystar. While this can possibly be a bit of a turn off for returning fans depending on how much they expect this game to be like the other, I believe that anyone going into the game with an open mind would find this different experience to be a very enjoyable, lovely, and emotional experience.
Mechanically, the game is a gigantic leap from the first game in pretty much every aspect. The character models are very high quality and animated very well, accurately depicting their really unique and expressive designs by Rolua. The graphics themselves are also very good and shown off a lot in the really flashy, unique, and very enjoyable combat system which can get quite challenging too. The game also has a different gameplay loop from Crystar, now offering very short linear stages that always ends in a boss fight with all playable characters having their own differing playstyles and offering a nice degree of customization in the form of assistive gear that you call up during combat to cover different situations like hitting from afar, granting impenetrable defense, starting launch combos, etc. Although, the map designs definitely don't feel as expressive as they used to be, which is fairly understandable given the entirely opposite setting with a "grounded" spaceship interior as opposed to Crystar's colorful depiction of purgatory.
The aspects that really took me by surprise though would definitely be the characters and story with how they really went in a different direction from everything I expected. Despite the game still having plenty of really dramatic moments and intriguing mysteries, the game in general has a much lighter tone for a majority of the time compared to Hayashi's previous works. I often found myself with a grin or giggling every time we're shown the characters interactions, whether its among the main 4 or with the rest of the interesting side cast. I also did not expect, but very much appreciate, how hard they went into the sci-fi aspect of the story and setting with a very refreshing far-future world done so well that it really pulls you into the entire thing. The story's various twists and surprises were all handled really well too and kept me hooked the entire time with how well they've put their own crazy spin to the classic concept of machines gaining sentience and emotion and how far those would take these machines whose sole purpose and reason for creation were to simply obey commands they were given.
Admittedly though, the game sadly doesn't hit the emotional highs that I've gotten from Crystar which I feel is a bit of a shame but I'm perfectly fine with considering everything else the game handles really well. It was everything I didn't expect it to be but still really left the best impression on me given what the game was openly going for, and for that it deserves all the praise I can give it and really makes me more excited for the future projects Hayashi will hopefully have which I will definitely be there for.
GOTY.
Crymachina is a spiritual successor to Crystar, carrying over plenty of the old game's systems, ideas, and staff which would make old fans feel at home right away but also give them an entirely different experience that often times feel like the complete opposite of Crystar. While this can possibly be a bit of a turn off for returning fans depending on how much they expect this game to be like the other, I believe that anyone going into the game with an open mind would find this different experience to be a very enjoyable, lovely, and emotional experience.
Mechanically, the game is a gigantic leap from the first game in pretty much every aspect. The character models are very high quality and animated very well, accurately depicting their really unique and expressive designs by Rolua. The graphics themselves are also very good and shown off a lot in the really flashy, unique, and very enjoyable combat system which can get quite challenging too. The game also has a different gameplay loop from Crystar, now offering very short linear stages that always ends in a boss fight with all playable characters having their own differing playstyles and offering a nice degree of customization in the form of assistive gear that you call up during combat to cover different situations like hitting from afar, granting impenetrable defense, starting launch combos, etc. Although, the map designs definitely don't feel as expressive as they used to be, which is fairly understandable given the entirely opposite setting with a "grounded" spaceship interior as opposed to Crystar's colorful depiction of purgatory.
The aspects that really took me by surprise though would definitely be the characters and story with how they really went in a different direction from everything I expected. Despite the game still having plenty of really dramatic moments and intriguing mysteries, the game in general has a much lighter tone for a majority of the time compared to Hayashi's previous works. I often found myself with a grin or giggling every time we're shown the characters interactions, whether its among the main 4 or with the rest of the interesting side cast. I also did not expect, but very much appreciate, how hard they went into the sci-fi aspect of the story and setting with a very refreshing far-future world done so well that it really pulls you into the entire thing. The story's various twists and surprises were all handled really well too and kept me hooked the entire time with how well they've put their own crazy spin to the classic concept of machines gaining sentience and emotion and how far those would take these machines whose sole purpose and reason for creation were to simply obey commands they were given.
Admittedly though, the game sadly doesn't hit the emotional highs that I've gotten from Crystar which I feel is a bit of a shame but I'm perfectly fine with considering everything else the game handles really well. It was everything I didn't expect it to be but still really left the best impression on me given what the game was openly going for, and for that it deserves all the praise I can give it and really makes me more excited for the future projects Hayashi will hopefully have which I will definitely be there for.
GOTY.
2022
Nobunaga never gonna win against 4 gay girls kissing each other on the nape and cheeks midcombat. Bushido has risen.
I've never seen a game so confused on what message it wants to tell anyone who's playing it or for who this game was even meant for in the first place.
2021
the last bastion of defense against the world getting overrun by mihoyo and nikke hentai
2017
Underneath all the jank is definitely one of the best games I've played. It's very easy for me to overlook all the flaws and obvious lack of time/budget when they absolutely nail the parts that they needed to. Immaculate OST, pretty fun combat, godlike art and cutscene direction, and a lot of good fanservice. If the game looked at all interesting to you, then you're definitely who this game is for and you should really give it a shot.
Don't think there's much left to say about the game at this point, but it definitely blew me away by how insanely good it was even on top of my ridiculous expectations for it.
The story and characters are peak kidsmedia-core and the gameplay is insanely fun. I'd say my only issue is how the game is pretty much impossible to solo in the final difficulty which is a damn shame since I still prefer to solo all these games.
The story and characters are peak kidsmedia-core and the gameplay is insanely fun. I'd say my only issue is how the game is pretty much impossible to solo in the final difficulty which is a damn shame since I still prefer to solo all these games.
2016
MonHuns console-team wishes they had even a 1/1000th of the competence Team Omega Force has in actually innovating their franchises and breaking new ground with how extremely well they pulled off this open-world hunting game.
I still liked the first games story more, especially in the expansion but the characters are about on the same level in terms of being likable and very well written. But pretty much every other aspect is a gigantic improvement that it's actually hard to wrap my head around when I started. The new weaps and old weapon moveset changes, the complete transformation of the Mitama system into an extremely fun and open loadout system, the redesigning of the entire map to be open world, the new Demon Hand grappling system, and even the improved and more brutal dismemberment system. Everything's just perfect.
Also, the absolute happiness of seeing Hatsuho again is indescribable but Gwen is definitely best girl here. Extremely sad we'll never get a follow up though.
I still liked the first games story more, especially in the expansion but the characters are about on the same level in terms of being likable and very well written. But pretty much every other aspect is a gigantic improvement that it's actually hard to wrap my head around when I started. The new weaps and old weapon moveset changes, the complete transformation of the Mitama system into an extremely fun and open loadout system, the redesigning of the entire map to be open world, the new Demon Hand grappling system, and even the improved and more brutal dismemberment system. Everything's just perfect.
Also, the absolute happiness of seeing Hatsuho again is indescribable but Gwen is definitely best girl here. Extremely sad we'll never get a follow up though.
Absolutely blows my mind at the sheer amount of incompetence required to fuck up an already bad game by this much more.
The game is honestly quite good if it can manage to shut up for more than 5 seconds.
I'll forever be thankful for Rise and Sunbreak for restoring my faith in this series.
I was honestly preferring Rise more by the time I finished Sunbreaks base story for a couple of reasons.
While Sunbreak's monster roster is a very good selection of some of my fave past monsters, on top of their really great transition into gen5, I was honestly feeling like the game was a bit thematically confused and just threw in a bunch of monsters into a big pot unlike Rise which had a very solid theme that it masterfully integrated everything together into. While we do have the entire european abominations and aesthetic with the Three Lords and Citadel thing going on, everything else besides Gore/Shagaru felt like it didn't fit into that at all, along with Jungle being back for what really felt like no reason to me. I thought the OST was also not as good as Rise was, which is an insanely high bar to clear tbh, but there's still some god tier tracks like the Elgado Outpost's main theme.
With those said though, the game follows up and expands on base Rise really really well with the updates to the Master rank versions of the monsters, the new switch skills, and especially introducing an infinite end game grind, a first for a portable team game btw, which is really enjoyable to grind with the customization it opens up to the players.
What really sold me though into making this my fave MH ever now is how insanely well they delivered with bringing Amatsu to the game. Honestly sent me to tears with how godlike all the callbacks and fanservice to P3rd fans are which just made me feel like all these years of me playing the hell out of this franchise feel like it's recognized and rewarded. But even besides that, the game has a ton to offer on top of Rise with a very good story and cast of characters to interact and hunt with God Eater style, which I thought was honestly cool that they're finally starting to take notes from including being able to trade currency for monster materials to alleviate grinding. Would love to see this again in future titles honestly.
I honestly can't say that I'm excited for the next game which will be by the console team again but at least I know I'll be waiting very very patiently for the title after that by the portable team knowing that they'll probably blow my mind again and remind me why Monster Hunter is one of my favorite franchises ever.
I was honestly preferring Rise more by the time I finished Sunbreaks base story for a couple of reasons.
While Sunbreak's monster roster is a very good selection of some of my fave past monsters, on top of their really great transition into gen5, I was honestly feeling like the game was a bit thematically confused and just threw in a bunch of monsters into a big pot unlike Rise which had a very solid theme that it masterfully integrated everything together into. While we do have the entire european abominations and aesthetic with the Three Lords and Citadel thing going on, everything else besides Gore/Shagaru felt like it didn't fit into that at all, along with Jungle being back for what really felt like no reason to me. I thought the OST was also not as good as Rise was, which is an insanely high bar to clear tbh, but there's still some god tier tracks like the Elgado Outpost's main theme.
With those said though, the game follows up and expands on base Rise really really well with the updates to the Master rank versions of the monsters, the new switch skills, and especially introducing an infinite end game grind, a first for a portable team game btw, which is really enjoyable to grind with the customization it opens up to the players.
What really sold me though into making this my fave MH ever now is how insanely well they delivered with bringing Amatsu to the game. Honestly sent me to tears with how godlike all the callbacks and fanservice to P3rd fans are which just made me feel like all these years of me playing the hell out of this franchise feel like it's recognized and rewarded. But even besides that, the game has a ton to offer on top of Rise with a very good story and cast of characters to interact and hunt with God Eater style, which I thought was honestly cool that they're finally starting to take notes from including being able to trade currency for monster materials to alleviate grinding. Would love to see this again in future titles honestly.
I honestly can't say that I'm excited for the next game which will be by the console team again but at least I know I'll be waiting very very patiently for the title after that by the portable team knowing that they'll probably blow my mind again and remind me why Monster Hunter is one of my favorite franchises ever.
2018
Despite my initial cautiousness about the game after finding out it was given to Marvelous while SHIFT was doing Code Vein, I still had quite the positive impressions with it when I started out. But as I kept on playing, it felt like every step forward the game took it also took a slightly bigger step back. This might be the only time I'll do this style of review coz I can't really think of any other way to do it better but here goes:
+ Graphics look great and so do the overall aesthetic of the game.
- Action cutscenes are quite underwhelming with their choreography and they look really stiff compared to how god tier they were in previous games.
+ Melee combat faithfully keeps all the quirks of the old games that made it really unique and the 2 new weapons are really fun to play, I even mained Heavy Moon.
- Ranged combat was absolutely butchered. No Blood Bullets or similar system, Railguns are super boring especially as a replacement for Blast Guns, and limiting custom bullet ladout is a HUGE hit to guns fun factor overall. Only Sniper felt somewhat okay to use and I just stuck to this after intially playing with the other types.
+ Burst Arts are quite nice especially as a way to balance Blood Arts and being able to equip 3 (Attack, Jump, Step) really lets you have a personal loadout to your tastes.
- 90% of them are locked behind mastering other Arts and it just feels like a chore rather than something very natural like Blood Arts did in 2 trying to unlock and try them all. Some Arts also entirely alter the style too much that it just feels better to not equip them at all like I did with Step Arts for Charge Spear. Also BA Effects feel so lame and often feels like visual clutter more than anything.
+ New Aragami are quite fun especially the Ashborne. The game is really on the easier side overall which I don't mind but there's some crazy stuff in there to not make it like a total cakewalk.
- Mission lineup is very bland. Feels like you fight the old gen Aragami about 1-3 times the whole game and the new ones every 2 missions which can get quite boring but they weren't able to port over a lot of the old gen Aragami in general making for a very limited Aragami lineup as well.
+ New maps are pretty good especially some of the later ones which look absolutely gorgeous.
- The OST feels very unmemorable with it being mostly orchestral tracks with a lot of references to GE1-2 main themes like No Way Back.
+ The overall story is quite okay but I really really liked the very end of the main story. Characters are also pretty okay overall.
- The game is only about 25-30 hours long but it still felt like a slog to me and it feels like it never really hits any good and really memorable high points like GE1 did with the Burst arc and pretty much all of GE2 especially the Rage Burst arc. A lot of stuff also feel really unresolved or just closed out very early before anything could really happen.
I honestly have a lot of gripes with the game but it's definitely pretty okay but I'd really recommend people just play Resurrection or better yet, skip to Rage Burst if they really want a taste of what the franchise is really all about. Overall, it really was quite disappointing for me even though I wanted to love the game so much. It really feels like them trying to start over and soft-reboot the franchise while feeling like GE1 again just really doesn't work. I might add my thoughts on the rest of the postgame and the DLC story after I finish them but I kinda doubt it'd turn my opinion on it around much.
+ Graphics look great and so do the overall aesthetic of the game.
- Action cutscenes are quite underwhelming with their choreography and they look really stiff compared to how god tier they were in previous games.
+ Melee combat faithfully keeps all the quirks of the old games that made it really unique and the 2 new weapons are really fun to play, I even mained Heavy Moon.
- Ranged combat was absolutely butchered. No Blood Bullets or similar system, Railguns are super boring especially as a replacement for Blast Guns, and limiting custom bullet ladout is a HUGE hit to guns fun factor overall. Only Sniper felt somewhat okay to use and I just stuck to this after intially playing with the other types.
+ Burst Arts are quite nice especially as a way to balance Blood Arts and being able to equip 3 (Attack, Jump, Step) really lets you have a personal loadout to your tastes.
- 90% of them are locked behind mastering other Arts and it just feels like a chore rather than something very natural like Blood Arts did in 2 trying to unlock and try them all. Some Arts also entirely alter the style too much that it just feels better to not equip them at all like I did with Step Arts for Charge Spear. Also BA Effects feel so lame and often feels like visual clutter more than anything.
+ New Aragami are quite fun especially the Ashborne. The game is really on the easier side overall which I don't mind but there's some crazy stuff in there to not make it like a total cakewalk.
- Mission lineup is very bland. Feels like you fight the old gen Aragami about 1-3 times the whole game and the new ones every 2 missions which can get quite boring but they weren't able to port over a lot of the old gen Aragami in general making for a very limited Aragami lineup as well.
+ New maps are pretty good especially some of the later ones which look absolutely gorgeous.
- The OST feels very unmemorable with it being mostly orchestral tracks with a lot of references to GE1-2 main themes like No Way Back.
+ The overall story is quite okay but I really really liked the very end of the main story. Characters are also pretty okay overall.
- The game is only about 25-30 hours long but it still felt like a slog to me and it feels like it never really hits any good and really memorable high points like GE1 did with the Burst arc and pretty much all of GE2 especially the Rage Burst arc. A lot of stuff also feel really unresolved or just closed out very early before anything could really happen.
I honestly have a lot of gripes with the game but it's definitely pretty okay but I'd really recommend people just play Resurrection or better yet, skip to Rage Burst if they really want a taste of what the franchise is really all about. Overall, it really was quite disappointing for me even though I wanted to love the game so much. It really feels like them trying to start over and soft-reboot the franchise while feeling like GE1 again just really doesn't work. I might add my thoughts on the rest of the postgame and the DLC story after I finish them but I kinda doubt it'd turn my opinion on it around much.
Really feels like one of the most undercooked games I've ever played. But unlike most other games that I'd describe by the same word, Loop8 really feels flawed on it's very core concept and design that I don't think giving it more budget or time would've fixed most of it's issues.
That said, I still enjoyed my time with it and even played on sessions longer than I usually do when gaming for reasons I can't really point out myself. It might be because of the extremely basic and straightforward gameplay loop which mostly consists of running around and talking to characters, which the game has quite an interesting cast of that I did enjoy spending my time with (Machina best girl). The OST as well as the setting also really blend together to make the entire experience really chill which I liked. The story itself is pretty okay and I honestly didn't even understand most of it but I did really like all the character endings and especially the epilogues which were extremely heartwarming and kind of did make me feel like the entire 20 hour run was pretty worth it.
It's extremely flawed for sure but I can't really bring myself to hate it for whatever reason despite all the disappointments I had for it when I didn't even have any expectations to begin with. I wouldn't recommend it for sure but not something I'd say I regret either. It definitely makes me more excited to eventually run through the other Shibamura games in the future too.
That said, I still enjoyed my time with it and even played on sessions longer than I usually do when gaming for reasons I can't really point out myself. It might be because of the extremely basic and straightforward gameplay loop which mostly consists of running around and talking to characters, which the game has quite an interesting cast of that I did enjoy spending my time with (Machina best girl). The OST as well as the setting also really blend together to make the entire experience really chill which I liked. The story itself is pretty okay and I honestly didn't even understand most of it but I did really like all the character endings and especially the epilogues which were extremely heartwarming and kind of did make me feel like the entire 20 hour run was pretty worth it.
It's extremely flawed for sure but I can't really bring myself to hate it for whatever reason despite all the disappointments I had for it when I didn't even have any expectations to begin with. I wouldn't recommend it for sure but not something I'd say I regret either. It definitely makes me more excited to eventually run through the other Shibamura games in the future too.
Actually pretty insane how many times this game blew my mind the entire playthrough
Probably the most heartwarming game I'll ever play in my lifetime.
Tie feels like it really focuses on a completely different direction from what the first game and even Ray did which makes the whole experience feel entirely unique and makes it definitely worth giving a shot for everyone who enjoyed any of the other entries. The game's journey is definitely the highlight of the entire thing as you go through your adventures with the rest of the cast but this in turn sets up the destination and it's twist to be a crazy ride. Insanely beautiful dungeon designs, really varied and memorable OST, very lovable cast and main character, and just a rollercoaster of a ride all throughout.
Tie feels like it really focuses on a completely different direction from what the first game and even Ray did which makes the whole experience feel entirely unique and makes it definitely worth giving a shot for everyone who enjoyed any of the other entries. The game's journey is definitely the highlight of the entire thing as you go through your adventures with the rest of the cast but this in turn sets up the destination and it's twist to be a crazy ride. Insanely beautiful dungeon designs, really varied and memorable OST, very lovable cast and main character, and just a rollercoaster of a ride all throughout.
2021
All it took was Yasunori Ichinose directing another MH game to make easily one of the best games in the franchise.
Never did I expect how hard they would work to make both classic(Gen1-4) and new MH(Gen5) meet halfway with all the changes they did. The return of Village and Hub separation, classic Talisman and Decoration system, a combat system that gets very close to how GU felt, a buddy system that's back to classic's albeit not as complex, very well-thought out adjustments for monsters in terms of HP and damage, and a ton of other small stuff that just pile up to collectively make the experience an extremely enjoyable and memorable one.
I'm very very happy that they did away with World's realism aspect and went back to classic MH's playful and comical feel, aesthetics, and humor. Weapon designs are once again back to their expressive and unique designs save for the returning World-introduced monster's weapons. Armors are sadly lacking in count but what we do have are designs that definitely feel like classic MH design-wise but given the graphical upgrade of Gen5 MH.
The maps are back to classic's style of wide open spaces that highlight the fight between you and the monster and it is so god tier how they recreated some of the Gen3 maps so perfectly. These, on top of the new ones that are extremely well crafted, are all very fun to navigate, explore, and fight in which is definitely the type of maps MH should have. Paired with absolutely mesmerizing battle themes and remixed tracks, make for hunts that feel extremely immersing, satisfying, and fun.
Returning monsters in the game were treated very well with moveset updates to make them feel fresh. The new ones are all very cool thematically, being inspired by Japanese youkai, and are very fun fights. But the standouts would definitely be the flagships which are honestly some of the most memorable in the franchise ever and definitely land a spot on my favorites of all time for sure.
I honestly cannot overstate how much they grinded this game for it to be as god tier as it ended up being. After my utter disappointment with World, I already resigned myself to the fact that classic MH was gone but was hoping the next installment would be somewhat at least enjoyable in more aspects. But after having finished the game, I can confidently say that they went way above and beyond that and made me feel like I was back to classic again, and reminding me why this is one of my favorite franchises ever.
Never did I expect how hard they would work to make both classic(Gen1-4) and new MH(Gen5) meet halfway with all the changes they did. The return of Village and Hub separation, classic Talisman and Decoration system, a combat system that gets very close to how GU felt, a buddy system that's back to classic's albeit not as complex, very well-thought out adjustments for monsters in terms of HP and damage, and a ton of other small stuff that just pile up to collectively make the experience an extremely enjoyable and memorable one.
I'm very very happy that they did away with World's realism aspect and went back to classic MH's playful and comical feel, aesthetics, and humor. Weapon designs are once again back to their expressive and unique designs save for the returning World-introduced monster's weapons. Armors are sadly lacking in count but what we do have are designs that definitely feel like classic MH design-wise but given the graphical upgrade of Gen5 MH.
The maps are back to classic's style of wide open spaces that highlight the fight between you and the monster and it is so god tier how they recreated some of the Gen3 maps so perfectly. These, on top of the new ones that are extremely well crafted, are all very fun to navigate, explore, and fight in which is definitely the type of maps MH should have. Paired with absolutely mesmerizing battle themes and remixed tracks, make for hunts that feel extremely immersing, satisfying, and fun.
Returning monsters in the game were treated very well with moveset updates to make them feel fresh. The new ones are all very cool thematically, being inspired by Japanese youkai, and are very fun fights. But the standouts would definitely be the flagships which are honestly some of the most memorable in the franchise ever and definitely land a spot on my favorites of all time for sure.
I honestly cannot overstate how much they grinded this game for it to be as god tier as it ended up being. After my utter disappointment with World, I already resigned myself to the fact that classic MH was gone but was hoping the next installment would be somewhat at least enjoyable in more aspects. But after having finished the game, I can confidently say that they went way above and beyond that and made me feel like I was back to classic again, and reminding me why this is one of my favorite franchises ever.