PSP World

Monster Hunter Tri Coming Early 2010

Joyous news for monster hunters everywhere: Capcom today announced that Monster Hunter Tri will be released in both North America and Europe in "early" 2010. While this seems like kind of a strange release window (since it will miss the lucrative holiday buying frenzy) we aren't complaining. We'll take our Monster Hunter console game as soon as they can get it in our greedy hands.

One of the most strikingly beautiful titles ever developed for Wii, Monster Hunter Tri depicts a living, breathing ecosystem where man co-exists with fantastic beasts that roam both the land and the sea. Featuring both online and offline cooperative modes, players can join online hunting parties with up to four players or play with two players on a single TV for select quests. Players also have the option to face Monster Hunter Tri's challenging quests as a single player experience accompanied by Cha-Cha, an AI hunting partner whose tracking and trapping skills will prove invaluable in the hunt. New items, weapons and armor sets will also be available to assist the hunters as they embark on the most incredible Monster Hunter adventure to date.

Wii Box art for the upcoming Monster Hunter Tri.

Visitors to this month's GamesCom European gaming convention in Cologne, Germany August 19-23, will be the first to sample a localized version of the title on Capcom's stand as it makes its English debut for a western audience. GamesCom attendees will have the opportunity to play the same game that took last year's Tokyo Game Show by storm, with lines that stretched around Capcom's stand as eager Japanese gamers waited in excess of five hours to play.

This desire to be one of the first to experience Monster Hunter Tri is indicative of the impact the Monster Hunter franchise has made on videogame culture in Japan. With sales of the series totaling well over 10 million units and 3.5 million sales of Monster Hunter Freedom 2 alone, it's no surprise to find that Monster Hunter has given rise to dedicated "training camps", country-wide festivals and numerous licensed products. The franchise doesn't just top the charts in Japan; it's become a social phenomenon.

And soon to be a phenomenon among Wii owning gamers in North America and Europe. Hopefully, unlike in Japan we won't have to pay to go online when it arrives over here.